Youth Calendar
YOUTH PERFORMANCE PATHWAY
As part of its mission to increase sailing participation and excellence, US Sailing has released a new Youth Performance Pathway to connect youth racing sailors to “What’s Next” in the sport. The pathway is the culmination of a year-long review by a task force of experts from inside and outside of US Sailing.
The new pathway includes updated guidance on transitioning into new boat and board classes to clarify the progression to higher levels of competition. In support of the pathway, US Sailing is updating its programs and providing expert training and education at events and clinics for sailors, parents, and coaches.
The three-tier Youth Performance Pathway illustrates the progression from grassroots youth racing to higher levels of the sport, as well as lifelong sailing as adults. There is no single path through the sport, and each sailor is encouraged to “tack upwind” based on their own preferences and goals. While the plan encourages all sailors to achieve their personal best, it has also cleared a pathway for sailors who aspire to race at the national and international level, qualify for the US Sailing Team, and represent Team USA at the Pan Am and Olympic Games. Check it out!
Clinics and Events
US Sailing Clinics and Events
USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals - The USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festivals are held across the country to capture the Olympic spirit and introduce youth sailors to their next steps in the sport. 2023 Dates and Locations Coming Soon
Additional Clinics and Events
San Diego S.O.D.A. Match Racing Clinic - February 17-19 - San Diego Yacht Club, San Diego, CA - J/22's Geared primarily to high school sailors.$150 a person for Dave Perry coaching including video debriefs, use of boats, dinner and all course materials. Coaches can come free.
Bay Area Youth Match Racing Clinic - March 17-19 - San Francisco Yacht Club, Belevedere, CA - RS 21’s Geared primarily to high school sailors. For more information on the event: contact Forrest Gay at forrest@sfyc.org
California International Sailing Association (CISA) Clinic - March 18-20, 2023 - Long Beach, CA (February 15 application deadline) The CISA Clinic is the west coast's premier youth sailing clinic, with the goal of teaching the nation’s best youth sailors how to do it better. Sailors must apply to attend.
Long Beach S.O.D.A. Match Racing Clinic - March 31 - April 2 - Long Beach Yacht Club, Long Beach, CA - Solings Geared primarily to high school sailors.$150 a person for Dave Perry coaching including video debriefs, use of boats, dinner and all course materials. Coaches can come free.
San Diego Yacht Club HPYS 29er- May 13-14, 2023 - San Diego, CA - This is a multi-level 29er clinic: both for sailors who are interested in gaining proficiency in the 29er and for advanced teams to prepare for the Youth World Qualifiers.
Bayview Open Match Racing Clinic - May 12-14 - Bayview Yacht Club, Detroit, MI - Ultimate 20s - For more information on the event, contact Lance Smotherman at Springlnv@byc.com
San Diego Yacht Club HPYS ILCA Clinic - June 10-12 - San Diego, CA - This youth clinic is for sailors preparing for a summer of racing in the ILCAs including the SDOCR, Youth Champs and ILCA North Americans/ US Open - Long Beach.
Brooke Gonzalez Clinic - June 16-18, 2023 - Newport, RI (February 28 application deadline) - Brooke Gonzalez Clinic is Sail Newport’s annual Advanced Racing Clinic in Newport, RI. Sailors must apply to attend.
2niner - Learn to Skiff - Hosted by 2Niner and SkiffGeneration, Learn2Skiff Clinics are multi-day technique clinics for sailors new to the 29er class.
Hosting a clinic? To add major national or regional clinics to this calendar, please email youth@ussailing.org
Classes
Racing Development, Performance, and Olympic Classes
The Youth Performance Pathway starts at the Racing Development tier, which includes popular “club” boats such as the Opti, Club 420, high school sailing, and many other learn-to-race boats and boards. This is where most youth racers get their start, learning to race locally and building skills and experience at the regional and national level.
The Performance tier is the second step of the pathway and represents a step up to the faster, more technical boats and boards that are the global standard for youth competition. This is where sailors expand their technical sailing skills, develop as performance athletes, and compete on a national and international level.
The Olympic tier is the third and final step of the pathway and includes the boats and boards raced in the Olympic Games. Sailors at the Olympic tier are eligible to qualify for the US Sailing Team based on their competitive performance at the World Championship or other top international competitions.
RACING DEVELOPMENT
Optimist
- Type: Singlehanded Dinghy
- Typical Weight Range: 70-125 lbs
- About: The most popular racing trainer in the US and around the world, the Opti is small but technical, with a long history of teaching racing skills and developing highly competitive sailors.
- Speed scale: 1/5
- Website
Club 420
Flying Junior (FJ)
Techno 293
X Boat
PERFORMANCE
29er
-
- Type: Doublehanded Skiff
- Typical Weight Range: 240 – 290 lbs combined
- About: With a powerful sailplan and minimalist hull, the 29er is fast and dynamic, requiring excellent teamwork and fitness.
- Speed scale: 4/5
- Class Website
i420
ILCA 6
iQFOiL Youth
OLYMPICS
470
- Type: Doublehanded Dinghy
- Typical Weight Range: 300 lbs combined
- About: Fast and technical, the 470 has been sailed in every Olympics since 1976 and is the Mixed (one male & one female) Doublehanded Olympic Class.
- Speed scale: 4/5
- Class Website:
49er
49erFX
ILCA 6
ILCA 7
Nacra 17
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