FAQ

With our beginner classes. For ages 8–13, that's Learn to Sail Small Boat. For 8th grade and up, it's Club Sailing. Both are built for complete beginners — most of our sailors start with zero experience. As long as your child is comfortable in the water while wearing a life jacket, they're ready.

Sailors should be comfortable in the water, but they don't need to be strong swimmers. Everyone wears a Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times on the water, and our certified instructors and safety boats are always nearby.

The fall runs in two sessions — Fall I (August 22 – October 11) and Fall II (October 17 – December 13). You can sign up for one or both. Each session is a fresh start, so your sailor can begin in the fall and continue through the school year, building on what they've learned.

$390 per session covers your sailor's weekly class for the full session. On top of that, all sailors need the annual Junior Membership ($75), which covers the whole calendar year. For Small Boat sailors, that's everything. Scholastic sailors can add optional extras like weekday drop-ins or the Racing Team.

• Life Jacket (Coast Guard approved Type III)
• Wetsuit (O'Neill's has a great children's exchange program)
• Closed-toe shoes that can get wet (no flip-flops)
• Helmets are provided, but you can bring your own
• Water bottle and a snack
• Recommended: sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat

We provide the boats for all classes.

Sailing happens in real weather — that's part of it. Our instructors make daily go/no-go calls based on safety. If conditions aren't safe for sailing, we run land-based instruction (knots, rigging, sailing theory). Classes are very rarely cancelled outright.

As daylight gets shorter, we adjust our time on the water, and some weekday classes end a little earlier. In Fall II, the schedule shifts some groups to the weekend for more daylight. You'll find the current times on each program page and on our Schedule.

Green Fleet is the racing track within Small Boat, for sailors who've got the basics down and want to start competing. Sailors join by invitation or a personal assessment. If you think your sailor is ready, just ask — we're happy to take a look. Go to the Green Fleet Readiness self-assessment page.

Both are by invitation and require registration in the Scholastic program. They're for committed, experienced sailors ready to step up. If your sailor is in Club Sailing and aiming that way, talk to us — we'll tell you what it takes.

Yes. New high school sailors can attend their first three practices at $65 each, with no registration or membership required. If they join for the season, what they've already paid counts toward registration.

Refund up to 7 days before the session start (full fee minus the payment processing fee). Within 7 days, no refund, but you may transfer your registration.

Any junior who wishes to sail and is admitted to a sailing program should not be limited by financial resources. Full and/or partial scholarships may be available. For more information, reach out to juniordirector@scyc.org or visit santacruzsailingfoundation.org.

Call 831-295-3893 or email juniordirector@scyc.org. We're happy to help you find the right fit for your sailor.