420 – Learn to Sail

In this class, youth sailors learn the skills to sail a small two-person boat along with another sailor.  This class is primarily designed for advanced beginners and intermediate sailors; however, some older beginners and those over 125 pounds will begin their sailing instruction in the Club 420, as it is a larger boat.  Beginner students are taught the parts of a sailboat, the points of sail, capsize recovery, and basic knot tying, just as in the Opti class.  They are paired with an intern instructor for on-water instruction, with a focus on helming (steering the boat).  Advanced beginners and intermediate sailors learn proper sail trim for speed, how to refine their upwind and downwind sailing techniques, and basic right-of-way rules.  Students alternate between serving as skipper (steering the boat) and crew (trimming the jib).  Most students take multiple sessions of this class before moving on to Learn to Race, Team SJJF, or Introduction to Keelboat Sailing.

The SJJF program is based on the US Sailing training system. Students will always wear life jackets. Instructors, either in the student’s boat or on a safety boat, accompany the students. All instructors are experienced sailors, many having learned to sail in the SJJF Summer Sailing Program and trained through US Sailing.

Prerequisite(s): 12 – 18 years old, over 125 pounds, swim one length of pool.

  • 3-WEEK SESSIONS –  Tuesday, Thursday; 1 pm – 4 pm:
    •  Session A: June 11 – 27
    • Session B: July 9 – 25
    • Session C: July 30 – Aug 15  
  • 2024 Cost: $240
  • 1-WEEK SESSIONS –   Monday-Thursday; 9 am – Noon:
    • Starting June 10th, last week August 12th
  • 2024 Cost : $170

Information you need to: Parent Information

Financial Assistance is avaliable : Scholarship Application Form

Frequently Asked Questions