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2023 Registration Now Open!

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Youth Classes 2023


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Beginner Sailing Ages 13-18

No sailing experience is required for this beginning sailing classes! On-the-water instruction takes place in Flying Junior's (pictured below). Students will learn how to rig and launch a sailing dinghy and understand the three points of sail (upwind, reaching, and downwind). We will also introduce tacking, gybing, docking, capsizing, and crew overboard recovery.


Camps will be taught by our fun and safety-focused US Sailing certified instructors, with a ratio of 1 instructor for every 5 students. Students will complete a swim evaluation on the first day of sailing camp and should be strong swimmers.


Classes will run from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Check our FAQ at the bottom of the page for more information! 


The cost for this course is $475.


2023 Session Dates:


June 19-23


June 26-30


July 5-7 (Full - waitlist available)


July 10-14


July 17-21 (Full - waitlist available)


July 24-28


August 7-11

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Beginner Sailing Ages 8-12

No sailing experience is required for this beginning sailing classes! On-the-water instruction takes place in RS Teras (pictured below). Students will learn how to rig and launch a sailing dinghy and understand the three points of sail (upwind, reaching, and downwind). We will also introduce tacking, gybing, docking, capsizing, and crew overboard recovery.


Camps will be taught by our fun and safety-focused US Sailing certified instructors, with a ratio of 1 instructor for every 5 students. Students will complete a swim evaluation on the first day of sailing camp and should be strong swimmers.


Classes will run from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday. 


The cost for this course is $475. The three-day session July 5-7 costs $285.


2023 Session Dates:


June 19-23 (Filling fast!)


June 26-30 (Filling fast!)


July 5-7 (Two spots left!)


July 10-14 (Three spots left!)


July 17-21 (Full - waitlist available)


July 24-28 (Full - waitlist available)


July 31-August 4 (Filling fast!)


August 7-11

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Intermediate Sailing Ages 8-12

Prerequisite: Beginner Learn to Sail, US Sailing Certificate, or demonstration of comparable sailing experience. We recommend that if greater than 1 year has passed since completing Beginner Learn to Sail, students consider re-taking the Beginner Learn to Sail class.  Please contact the Youth Sailing Director if you are unsure of your qualifications.


This course is for students who have already developed basic sailing skills and are eager to learn more! On-the-water instruction takes place in RS Tera dinghys. Students will further their understanding of sail controls, helming, sail trim, boating safety and other US Sailing skills. The class will have a strong emphasis on safety, peer learning and fun!


Camps will be taught by our fun and safety-focused US Sailing certified instructors, with a ratio of 1 instructor for every 5 students. Students will complete a swim evaluation on the first day of sailing camp and should be strong swimmers.


Classes will run from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Check our FAQ at the bottom of the page for more information! 


The cost for this course is $475. The three-day session July 5-7 costs $285.


2023 Session Dates:


June 26-30


July 5-7 (Full - waitlist available)


July 10-14


July 17-21 (Three spots left!)


July 24-28


July 31-August 4


August 7-11

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Intermediate Sailing Ages 13-18

Prerequisite: Beginner Learn to Sail, US Sailing Certificate, or demonstration of comparable sailing experience. We recommend that if greater than 1 year has passed since completing Beginner Learn to Sail, students consider re-taking the Beginner Learn to Sail class.  Please contact the Youth Sailing Director if you are unsure of your qualifications.


This course is for students who have already developed basic sailing skills and are eager to learn more! On-the-water instruction takes place in Flying Junior (FJ) dinghies. Students will further their understanding of sail controls, helming, sail trim, boating safety and other US Sailing skills. The class will have a strong emphasis on safety, peer learning and fun!


Camps will be taught by our fun and safety-focused US Sailing certified instructors, with a ratio of 1 instructor for every 5 students. Students will complete a swim evaluation on the first day of sailing camp and should be strong swimmers.


Classes will run from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday. Check our FAQ at the bottom of the page for more information! 


The cost for this course is $475. The three-day session July 5-7 costs $285.


2023 Session Dates:


July 17-21 (1 spot left!)


July 24-28


July 31-August 4


August 7-11

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Teen Cruising Camp Ages 13-18

Prerequisite: Beginner Learn to Sail, US Sailing Certificate, or demonstration of comparable sailing experience. We recommend that if greater than 1 year has passed since completing Beginner Learn to Sail, students consider re-taking the Beginner Learn to Sail class.  Please contact the Youth Sailing Director if you are unsure of your qualifications.


This course is for students who have already developed basic sailing skills and are eager to learn more! On-the-water instruction takes place in Flying Junior (FJ) dinghies. Students will further their understanding of sail controls, helming, sail trim, boating safety and other US Sailing skills. The class will have a strong emphasis on safety, peer learning and fun!


Camps will be taught by our fun and safety-focused US Sailing certified instructors, with a ratio of 1 instructor for every 5 students. Students will complete a swim evaluation on the first day of sailing camp and should be strong swimmers.


Classes will run from 9am to 4pm Monday through Friday.


The cost for this course is $510 and includes food for the overnight portion of the course. See FAQ's for additional gear required and more information (coming soon)!


2023 Session Dates:


August 14-18

Frequently Asked Questions


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Do you offer discounts and scholarships?

Discounts

  • BYC Members get 20% off registration
  • Registering one sailor for 2 or more sessions, get 10% off registration
  • More than one sailor from the same family, used code FAM20 to get $20 off each registration 


Scholarships

Scholarships are available through The Sailing Foundation. Visit their website for more information.

Helpful information for registering for scholarships
Program Name: Bellingham Yacht Club Youth Sailing
Program address: 2625 Harbor Loop Dr Bellingham WA 98225
Program email: youthsailing@BYC.org

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Where is drop off and pick up?

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What does my sailor need to bring to camp everyday?

Things to bring:

  • Life Jacket*
  • Wetsuit*
  • Snacks and lunch 
  • Plenty of water
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Swimsuit
  • Towel
  • Close-toed shoes (water shoes are great or sandals that stay on your feet)
  • Change of clothes
  • Windbreaker
  • Any clothing appropriate for the weather. If the weather forecast is calling for rain or cold weather adding some more waterproof and fleece items may be good.


No cotton clothing (it gets cold and heavy when wet). Fleece, wool, or synthetic materials work great. 
The sun is very intense on the water, make sure to wear extra sunscreen and sun protective clothing. 


*A limited amount of wetsuits and life vests are available for rent at BYC. For a $10 fee you may borrow the wetsuit for the week and return it on the last day of camp. We cannot guarantee that we will have a wetsuit that fits your sailor.

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What safety tests are required?

Students must be able to swim 30-40 yards and tread water for 3 minutes while wearing a personal flotation aid. Sailors will also be taught how to capsize a boat, and how to get it back to the upright position. They must demonstrate this skill before leaving the harbor. 

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What is the refund policy?

50% Refund if canceled more than 3 weeks prior to the first day of class

No refunds within 3 weeks of the first day of class

Changing sessions is free of charge but is dependant on available space  

Contact

Secondary address

Family