Overview

The Ithaca Yacht Club Youth Sailing and Racing program runs weekly sessions from Monday to Friday for young sailors from 8 to 17 years of age.  The program is discounted for IYC members and their families.  For summer 2026, we are offering nine sessions from June 22 to August 21.

To register, go to the Youth Sailing Registration page.

The Youth Sailing program provides opportunities for all levels of experience: beginners who have never sailing before, intermediate sailors developing new skills, and advanced students who wish to race. Younger students begin to sail in single-handed Optimist dinghies, then graduate to two-person 420s and single-handed ILCA dinghies (Laser).

All training is done on Cayuga Lake within view of the Ithaca Yacht Club. Races are held at IYC and nearby sailing clubs with similar programs. Competitive regattas occur for all classes..

Youth Sailing participants are required to be competent swimmers.  They must demonstrate the ability to swim 50 yards before beginning the program. Swim tests are given on the first day of each program week at IYC.

For information about adult sailing lessons, go to the Adult Sailing page.

Questions

General questions:
 YouthSailing@IthacaYC.org

Questions about registration:
  BusinessOffice@IthacaYC.org.

Information

• Overview
• Registration
• Additional information
• Information for parents
  
• Printable version

Forms

• Health form
• Liability waiver