2023 Winter Break Program

SBYSF is happy to announce our first ever Winter Break learn-to-sail Program! Our Winter Break Program will run the week of 12/18-22 during the hours of 0830-1200. This program will operate in a similar fashion to Summer Sailing.

Registration for the 2023 Winter Break Program will go live on Thursday, December 7th @ 1230 PST.

Class offerings:

  • Garibaldis

  • Novice Optimist

  • Intermediate Optimist

Class Descriptions:


GARIBALDIS (LEARN TO SAIL, LEvel 1)

Prerequisites: None! This is our introductory, learn-to-sail class for sailors 5-7 year olds. Sailors aged five years old must be currently enrolled in kindergarten

Description: Our Garibaldis class is aimed at the youngest sailors to learn sailing in a comfortable environment. Sailors are paired up with a partner and an instructor in a 14’ CFJ dinghy. Sailors get the opportunity to learn: steering, sail trim, nautical terminology, rigging, and points of sails. All with the comfort of having an instructor in the boat alongside them!

NOVICE OPTIMIST SAILCUBE (LEARN TO SAIL, Level 1)

Prerequisites: None! This is our introductory, learn-to-sail class for sailors 7-11 year olds.

This is our introductory sailing class geared towards first-time sailors and first-time program participants. Sailed in 8’ pram style dinghies, known as Optimist SailCubes, sailors gain hands on experience under the supervision of our instructors. This class has a linear progression that teaches and builds on fundamental skills such as; rigging your boat, steering, body placement, sail trim, tacking/gybing, sail theory and much more! Sailors spend their part of their time sailing doublehanded and part time “solo” in their Optimist Sailcube.

INTERMEDIATE OPTIMIST (Level 2)

Prerequisites: Enrollment in the SBYSF Spring or Fall, Novice or Intermediate Optimist Fleet prior participation in last summer’s Intermediate Optimist class.

Description: The Intermediate Optimist class is meant to be a launchpad from Novice to Green Fleet Racing. Sailors continue to build strong fundamentals such as; accurate steering, weight placement, sail trim, sailing on all points of sail and boat maintenance. Additionally, this class offers a light introduction to sailboat racing in a fun constructive manner! Sailors spend their time “solo” in their Optimist.