YEAR ROUND RACING

Welcome to Sarasota Youth Sailing’s Race Team Season!

This season SYS hosts five distinctive competitive race teams in the Optimist Green, Optimist Red White and Blue, ILCA/Laser, Club 420, and NACRA 15. Sarasota Youth Sailing is also the center for High School Sailing in Sarasota County. Our sailors compete regionally and internationally in team racing but also as individuals. Race team sailors and their families are led through a comprehensive sailing campaign by our professional coaching staff. Private lessons are available for sailors interested in joining but are lacking the necessary preliminary experience for the desired team.

If you have any questions about qualifying or registering for SYS race teams, please do not hesitate to contact us at sarasotayouthsailing@gmail.com or by calling or texting us at 941-504-4236.

Optimist Racing

420 Racing

ILCA Racing

Nacra 15 Racing

OPTIMIST GREEN FLEET SAILING INFORMATION

Optimist Green Fleet Racing Team

The Optimist Green Fleet Racing Team is our entry-level learn to race program. The practices and regattas are tailored to meet the needs of beginner level racers. Our sailors compete as individuals, but racing is the ultimate team sport. Coaches will lead the Green Fleet Sailors and their families through an introductory sailing campaign.

AGES: Typically, 8 to 12 years old. Older sailors just learning how to race will benefit from a season in Opti Green Fleet before sizing out into a bigger boat. Likewise, a younger sailor will benefit from easing into a partial regatta season before committing to a full Green Fleet schedule next season.

ABILITY LEVEL: SYS Campers completing the Opti 2 Class have been exposed to the required skills. New sailors will need about 10 to 15 hours of private lessons before joining the team. If in doubt, contact us for an evaluation. 

TIME COMMITMENT: Skill development in Green Fleet utilizes a building block approach and is directly proportional to the amount of time spent on the water at practice. Successful sailors at this level will spend about nine hours per week at practice and compete in a regatta an average of once per month. A well-practiced sailor will have a more enjoyable experience at regattas. Prepared parents can best accommodate and anticipate the needs of their sailors. Racing with sailors from other teams at travel events further accelerates development.

There are additional time commitments required for transiting to and from practices, delivering boats to and from regattas, studying coaching notes, reviewing video and photos, and making travel plans. A capable SUV or truck with a trailer hitch is a most valuable resource for executing team travel logistics.

COST: The cost includes all practices and events on SYS property. For the regattas off-site there will be a $60 per day fee for each sailor. Regatta participation is optional.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for all of our programs. Families may apply by clicking on the scholarship application button on the home page of our website: www.sarasotayouthsailing.org

 

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

First SPRING practice is Saturday, January 20th. 

Saturdays                         10 am to 4 pm

Sundays                            1 pm to 4 pm

Green Fleet Race Team us divided into two levels internally – “Emerald Fleet” sailors who are less experienced are separated for the spring and given more one on one attention and review of basics and foundations of sailing.

 COACHES:

Coach Dylan and Coach Luke.

REGATTA SCHEDULE: 

Please refer to the “Regatta Calendar” on our website for the most updated regatta schedule by following the link below.

https://sarasotayouthsailing.org/regatta-calendar

 

CANCELLATIONS AND CHANGES:

IF practice is canceled, moved or changed due to weather, it will be posted on our “Program Calendar” on our SYS website. Please check this calendar regularly by following the link below for your latest updates on scheduling, holidays, special events and more.

https://sarasotayouthsailing.org/sys-program-calendar/

 

OPTIMIST RED WHITE & BLUE SAILING INFORMATION

Optimist Red White & Blue (RWB) Racing Team

The Optimist Red White & Blue (RWB) Racing Team is our highest level Optimist race program. The practices and regattas are tailored to meet the needs of intermediate – advanced level Optimist racers. Our sailors compete as individuals, but racing is the ultimate team sport. Coaches will lead the RWB Fleet Sailors and their families through an introductory sailing campaign.

AGES: Typically, 8 to 12 years old. Older sailors just learning how to race will benefit from a season in RWB Fleet before sizing out into a bigger boat. Likewise, a younger sailor will benefit from easing into a partial regatta season before committing to a full RWB Fleet schedule next season.

ABILITY LEVEL: SYS sailors who have raced with us in Optimist Green Fleet race team and have approval from our coaches are invited to register. Higher skilled Optimist sailors from other sailing centers who have raced RWB may qualify with our coaches. If in doubt, contact us for an evaluation. Optimist RWB racing is for those students who are interested in the higher level of competition. This curriculum is geared towards improving racing tactics, boat handling, and knowledge of the rules. Sailors receive intensive, individual coaching, and also learn to work together as a team. On-land chalk talks, and on-the-water drills are a regular part of instruction. While the main focus of RWB is racing, there is also a healthy component of fun involved with a strong emphasis on team building and sportsmanship. 

Private lessons are always available for those motivated to move up to or jump into the RWB fleet faster.

TIME COMMITMENT: Skill development in RWB Fleet utilizes a building block approach and is directly proportional to the amount of time spent on the water at practice. Successful sailors at this level will spend about nine hours per week at practice and compete in a regatta an average of once per month. A well-practiced sailor will have a more enjoyable experience at regattas. Prepared parents can best accommodate and anticipate the needs of their sailors. Racing with sailors from other teams at travel events further accelerates development.

There are additional time commitments required for transiting to and from practices, delivering boats to and from regattas, studying coaching notes, reviewing video and photos, and making travel plans. A capable SUV or truck with a trailer hitch is a most valuable resource for executing team travel logistics.

COST: The cost includes all practices and events on SYS property. For the regattas off-site there will be a $60 per day fee for each sailor. Regatta participation is optional. RWB Sailors are required to purchase their own boats and may keep them on SYS property in Sarasota Sailing Squadron boat storage for a small annual fee.

GEAR: PFD with a whistle, closed-toe water shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and water clothes. 

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for all of our programs. Families may apply by clicking on the scholarship application button on the home page of our website: www.sarasotayouthsailing.org

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

First SPRING practice is Saturday, January 20th. 

Saturdays                         10 am to 4 pm

Sundays                            1 pm to 4 pm

https://sarasotayouthsailing.org/sys-program-calendar/

Coach:

Coach Terra

REGATTA SCHEDULE: 

Please refer to the “Regatta Calendar” on our website for the most updated regatta schedule by following the link below.

https://sarasotayouthsailing.org/regatta-calendar

All SYS participants and families are required to fulfill 8 volunteer hours, maintain current financial accounts, and adhere to SYS’s Code of Conduct and all Race Team policies and procedures.

HIGH SCHOOL 420 SAILING INFORMATION

High School Sailing

 

Tuesday High School Practices prepare sailors for competition in the South Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association (SAISA) sanctioned events. SAISA events closely parallel the format of College Sailing. In this discipline the Club 420’s are sailed with jib and main only and without a trapeze. The regattas are typically small one-day events with numerous short-course races. This places an added emphasis on starting, tactics, racing rules, and boat handling skills. High School sailing is a perfect opportunity for a newer sailor to begin crewing or for an experienced skipper moving up from another boat to continue competitive development.

The Club 420 is a popular two-person boat sailed by thousands of youth sailors across the country. The boat is highly configurable and can accommodate multiple disciplines of sailing. Sailors aging or sizing out of the Optimist or Open Skiff will find the Club 420 a fun and challenging endeavor. ILCA and NACRA 15 Team sailors will also benefit from some cross-training with the Club 420.

AGES: Sailors participating in the Tuesday High School Sailing Practices are from grades 8 thorugh 12.

TEAM FORMAT: SYS will offer three separate practice opportunities per week in the Club 420. All three practices fall under the Club 420 Team umbrella but focus on distinctly different disciplines of sailing. We recommend sailors enroll in at least two of the three available Club 420 Team practices per week.

 

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

First SPRING practice is Tuesday, January 16th. 

Tuesdays           4pm – 7pm

Please visit the program calendar on our website to see the most recent updates, time changes or cancellations to our fall race teams practice schedule and other events: https://sarasotayouthsailing.org/sys-program-calendar/

Sailors attending High School Regattas will be billed an additional fee per racing day out of town.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for all of our programs. Families may apply by clicking on the scholarship application button on the home page of our website: www.sarasotayouthsailing.org

COACH: Coach Nick Dewitt, Coach Nick Lovisa

ABILITY LEVEL: SYS Summer Campers completing the Level 2 420 Class have been shown some of the basic skills required to sail the Club 420 and would be a good fit to get started in the High School.

TIME COMMITMENT: Skill development in the Club 420 utilizes a building block approach and is directly proportional to the amount of time spent on the water at practice. Successful sailors at this level will spend between ten and fifteen hours per week at practice and compete in a regatta about once or twice per month. A well-practiced sailor will have a more enjoyable experience. Well-engaged and prepared parents can best accommodate the needs of their sailors. Regatta participation further accelerates development. Sailors with two or more years of Club 420 experience should schedule as many high-level events as possible during the season.

There are additional time commitments required for transiting to and from practices, delivering boats to and from regattas, studying coaching notes, reviewing video and photos, and making travel plans. A capable SUV or truck with a trailer hitch is a most valuable resource for executing team travel logistics.

GEAR: PFD with a whistle, closed-toe water shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and water clothes.

REGATTA SCHEDULE:

Please refer to the “Regatta Calendar” on our website for the most updated regatta schedule by following the link below.

Regatta Calendar

CLUB 420 SAILING INFORMATION

Club 420 Racing Team

 

Club 420 ractices provide a comprehensive training day atmosphere for Club 420 sailors participating in a season long sailing campaign. The full-day sessions will include lessons in physical literacy, mental health, boat preparation, teamwork, speed, handling, tactics, strategy, weather, racing rules, and all-important regatta travel logistics. These practices are disciplined and designed for maximum time efficiency. Sailors will have their skills tracked and evaluated to ensure continuous development towards a national level standard of excellence.

The Club 420 is a popular two-person boat sailed by thousands of youth sailors across the country. The boat is highly configurable and can accommodate multiple disciplines of sailing. Sailors aging or sizing out of the Optimist or Open Skiff will find the Club 420 a fun and challenging endeavor. ILCA and NACRA 15 Team sailors will also benefit from some cross-training with the Club 420.

AGES: Sailors on the Club 420 Race Team are usually from ages 14 to 18. Exceptions for younger sailors can be made at the coach’s discretion based on the individual’s skill and experience.

TEAM FORMAT: SYS will offer 2 separate practice opportunities per week in the Club 420. Both practices fall under the Club 420 Team umbrella but focus on distinctly different disciplines of sailing.

Sailors attending Club 420 Travel Team Regattas will be billed a fee per away racing day.

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for all of our programs. Families may apply by clicking on the scholarship application button on the home page of our website: www.sarasotayouthsailing.org

ABILITY LEVEL: SYS Summer Campers completing the Level 2 420 Class have been shown some of the basic skills required to sail the Club 420 and would be a good fit to get started in the High School and Chutes & Wires Practices. Additional private lessons are available by appointment and may be necessary for newer sailors to hone their skills to be ready for the Club 420 Travel Team.

TIME COMMITMENT: Skill development in the Club 420 utilizes a building block approach and is directly proportional to the amount of time spent on the water at practice. Successful sailors at this level will spend between ten and fifteen hours per week at practice and compete in a regatta about once or twice per month. A well-practiced sailor will have a more enjoyable experience. Well-engaged and prepared parents can best accommodate the needs of their sailors. Regatta participation further accelerates development. Sailors with two or more years of Club 420 experience should schedule as many high-level events as possible during the season.

There are additional time commitments required for transiting to and from practices, delivering boats to and from regattas, studying coaching notes, reviewing video and photos, and making travel plans. A capable SUV or truck with a trailer hitch is a most valuable resource for executing team travel logistics.

GEAR: PFD with a whistle, closed-toe water shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and water clothes.

 

COACHES: 

Head Coach Camden Sullivan, Coach Nick Dewitt, Coach Jordan Byrd

 

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

First SPRING practice is Wednesday, January 17th. 

Wednesdays                      4 pm to 7 pm

Saturdays                         10 am to 4 pm

 

SYS Program Calendar

REGATTA SCHEDULE:

Please refer to the “Regatta Calendar” on our website for the most updated regatta schedule by following the link below.

Regatta Calendar

ILCA/LASER SAILING INFORMATION

ILCA Racing Team

 

The SYS ILCA Team (we still call them Lasers) is led by Head Coach Brett Davis. The team practices and races in the ILCA 7 (full rig), ILCA 6 (radial rig), and ILCA 4 (4.7 rig). Sailors are typically in 8th-12th grade and have an intermediate to advanced racing background and provide their own boat. The group size varies between 5-9 sailors and practice Wednesdays (4-7 pm) and Saturdays (10-4).

This is a traveling race team, and it is expected that team members will make every effort to attend the SYS supported regattas on the schedule. SYS has Laser trailer available to assist transporting boats to regattas.

The ILCA is a fun and exciting boat to race but at the same time quite challenging. There are lots of boat handling techniques that must be learned and mastered through regular training and there’s also a fitness component that requires regular gym workouts throughout the season to prepare the body for racing at a high level. Also of equal importance is a strong work ethic to endure several hours of training/racing in strong winds. Lastly, all team members are expected to have proper racing gear (boots, hiking pants, gloves, life jacket, etc.) and race quality rigging for their boat.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

First SPRING practice is Saturday, January 20th. 

Sundays                            10 am to 3 pm

Saturdays                         10 am to 4 pm

 

SYS Program Calendar

REGATTA SCHEDULE:

Please refer to the “Regatta Calendar” on our website for the most updated regatta schedule by following the link below.

Regatta Calendar

Team families are responsible for their own event transportation, lodging, and event entry fees.

Head Coach Brett Davis Bio:

1987-88: Optimist World Championship Team

1990-1992: 1st at Cressy High School Singlehanded Championship

1991: 1st at US Sailing Youth Champs, Laser

1995: Collegiate All American, Harvard University

2000: 3rd at Laser US Olympic Trials, San Francisco

2009: 1st at Laser Master Midwinters

NACRA 15 SAILING INFORMATION

Nacra 15 Racing Team

 

The Nacra 15 Race Team is intended for sailors who have had prior performance multihull training and are ready to learn new ways to advance their skills. Skippers and crews, in most occurrences, will be established for the entire season and paired to same boat with the goal of getting better as a team. On the water training will begin with boat speed and maneuvers and then transition into boat handling and tactics as the season progresses. Other important skills include boat tuning, proper care and maintenance, and travel logistics. Sailors will train for regattas and complete with a growing fleet of NACRA 15s across the country.

The NACRA 15 is a high-performance twin trapeze catamaran capable of speeds above twenty knots. This class is sanctioned by World Sailing and is the youth training platform for the larger NACRA 17 utilized in the Olympic Games. Members of the SYS NACRA 15 Race Team campaign on a year-round basis and compete at the highest levels of the sport.

TEAM FORMAT: The NACRA 15 Race Team is comprised of two distinct squads. The NACRA 15 Travel Team consists of our premier sailors and meets for practice each Thursday and Sunday.

HEAD COACH: Nick Lovisa has been coaching at Sarasota Youth Sailing for seven years and has been involved in the NACRA 15 Race Team for the last three years. He has an extensive background in multi-hull sailing and is also a US Sailing Certified Level 2 Coach. Contact Nick via email: syssailingdirector@gmail.com.

TEAM SELECTION: Participation with the NACRA 15 Team is highly selective. Candidates seeking to enroll in either the NACRA 15 Travel Team or the NACRA 15 Chutes & Wires Practices must apply by writing to Head Coach Nick Lovisa at syssailingdirector@gmail.com.

Applications should include your goals for the season, your sailing background with competitive results, any recent clinics attended, and a preliminary schedule of events you wish to attend. Applicants should also include a brief bio with academic interests and additional athletic pursuits. Once selected sailors will be provided instructions to complete their team registration.

TIME COMMITMENT: Skill development in the NACRA 15 utilizes a building block approach and is directly proportional to the amount of time spent on the water at practice. Successful Travel Team sailors at this level will spend between ten and fifteen hours per week at practice and compete in a regatta about once a month. A well-practiced sailor will have a more enjoyable experience. Well-engaged and prepared parents can best accommodate the needs of their sailors. Regatta participation further accelerates development. Sailors with two or more years of NACRA 15 experience should schedule as many high-level events as possible during the season.

Sailors and families will encounter additional time commitments for transiting to and from practices, delivering boats to and from regattas, studying coaching notes, reviewing video and photos, and making travel plans. A capable SUV or truck with a trailer hitch is a most valuable resource for executing team travel logistics.

GEAR: PFD with a whistle, closed-toe water shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunblock, and water clothes.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE

First SPRING practice is Thursday, January 18th. 

Thursdays                      4pm to 7pm

Sundays                         10am to 4pm

SYS Program Calendar

REGATTA SCHEDULE:

Please refer to the “Regatta Calendar” on our website for the most updated regatta schedule by following the link below.

Regatta Calendar

The NACRA 15 Regatta Schedule is under development. Sailors will compete in several open events and US Sailing sanctioned ODP Clinics. Contact Head Coach Nick Lovisa for updated information.

Cost:       $1,600.00 – With Charter of SYS Nacra

$1,200.00 – Without Charter of SYS Nacra

Sailors attending NACRA 15 Travel Team Regattas will be billed an additional $60 per racing day.
Sailors participating in the NACRA 15 Travel Team will receive a 10% discount from their fall season total when co-enrolled in the Club 420 Travel Team, or the Club 420 Thursday High School Practices.
Team Scholarships and payment plans are available upon request.
INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE for all of our programs. Families may apply by clicking on the scholarship application button on the home page of our website: www.sarasotayouthsailing.org

Click HERE to apply for a scholarship