Check back in late December/early January for 2025 class information.
2024 Class Schedule
Junior Membership: A Junior Membership fee of $35 is assessed for non-KYC member sailing students. As a junior member, the sailor is entitled to participate in race days and other KSEA-sponsored social events (movie nights, Long Island Picnic, Pirate Day, potluck dinners) throughout the summer even during weeks when the students are not enrolled in classes. The maximum charge for junior membership is $70 per family. Junior membership is not required for the Harbor Seals classes.
Scholarships: Scholarships are available for all classes, at any level, throughout the whole summer. KSEA encourages those who are interested to apply. To apply for a scholarship for KSEA sailing lessons please fill out this form and return it to the KSEA Program Director at kseaprogramdirector@gmail.com.
Summer 2024 Schedule
Session 1: June 24 to July 5
Session 2: July 8 to July 19
Session 3: July 22 to August 2
Session 4: August 5 to August 16
Opti and 420 Race Team
Registration for race teams is weekly, Weeks 1-8. See information below for more details.
Afternoon Classes
Opti Adventurers
Opti Race Team
Cruising 420s
420 Race Team
Morning Classes
Harbor Seals (formerly Rowing)
Opti A
Opti B
Beginner 420s
Sailing 101 - Bullseye
Harbor Seals (Formerly Rowing)
Our introductory class for 6- and 7-year-olds is designed to build comfort and confidence on the water. Each day, the class will head out in row boats on adventures that focus on the fundamentals of seamanship and water safety, basic nautical terms, and fun!
Prerequisites: Participants must be 6 years old on the first day of class.
Monday through Friday: 0900 - 1130
Fee: $340 per 2-week session
OPTIMIST A
Opti A is a beginner class for sailors 8-years-old and up with little or no experience in a single-handed boat. Sailors are taught basic knots, parts of the boat, rigging and de-rigging, boat handling and basic seamanship. Classes are held in the inner harbor.
Prerequisites: Sailors must be 8 years old on the first day of class.
Monday through Friday: 0900 - 1130
Fee: $375 per 2-week session
OPTIMIST B
Opti B is the ideal class for young sailors who have a working knowledge of the fundamentals of sailing and are ready to single-hand their boat. They will learn to rig their boat without assistance, sail on all points of sail in different weather conditions, and to single-hand their Opti independently and with confidence. Most classes will be held in the harbor and may sail out to the bay, weather depending.
Prerequisites: Sailors move from Opti A to Opti B at the recommendation of instructors. To enter Opti B, sailors must be able to sail alone.
Monday through Friday: 0900 - 1130
Fee: $375 per 2-week session
Beginner 420s
Our Beginner 420 class is ideal for beginner youth sailors who will not comfortably fit in an Opti (commonly 13yo+ and/or over 100 pounds). Each day, the class will head out on a 420 to learn the basics of boat handling, safety and seamanship. Sailors will learn both to skipper and crew and sail independently to destinations in and out of the harbor.
Prerequisites: Ages 13-18, at least 100 pounds.
Monday through Friday: 0900 - 1130
Fee: $375 per 2-week session
Sailing 101 - Bullseye
Our morning Bullseye class is ideal for older teen and adult beginners. Participating sailors will learn the fundamentals of sailing, including boat handling, safety and seamanship. Bullseyes are sturdy 15-foot keel boats, perfect for first-time sailors or sailors looking to build their confidence on the water.
Prerequisites: none
Monday through Friday: 0900 - 1130
Fee: $375 per 2-week session
OPTI Adventurers (Formerly Opti C)
Opti Adventurers is ideal for confident independent sailors who are more interested in exploring than in racing. This class meets in the afternoon, meaning sailors will have the opportunity to learn boat handling in moderate to heavy wind. The class will focus on destination-sailing, basic navigation, boat maintenance and safety. This class introduces some racing rules and tactics, with the option to participate in weekly race days.
Prerequisites: Sailors move from Opti B to Opti Adventurers at the recommendation of instructors. Sailors must be able to rig, tack, jibe, and go on all points of sail independently.
Monday through Friday: 1230 - 1530
Fee: $385 per 2-week session
OPTIMIST RACE TEAM
The Opti Race Team is open to both first-time (Green Fleet) and experienced racers, eager to build on their racing skills. Team members will practice together at KSEA and participate in weekly KSEA Race Day regattas. Team travel for "away" regattas is based upon capacity and is at the coach's discretion. Boats are provided. When committing to the race team, sailors are strongly encouraged to sign up for as many weeks as possible to maximize skill development and team cohesion.
Desired parent/caregiver involvement: 1) contributions to weekly KSEA Race Day Tea provisions; 2) driving and/or chaperoning to ensure safe and fun travel regattas.
Travel regatta dates: (KSEA participation is tbc and at the discretion of the race coach and program director.)
Battle of the Bay, Boothbay Harbor, July 9-10 (departing July 8)
Harraseeket Junior Regatta, July 16-17 (departing July 15).
Marblehead Junior Race Week (aka "Marblehead"), July 22-24 (departing July 21)
Opti Maine State Championships, Southport YC, July 31-August 1 (departing July 30)
Prerequisites: Racing experience (Opti Adventurers sailors may gain experience by participating in weekly KSEA race days) and instructor approval. No older than age 15 through Dec. 31, 2024.
Monday through Friday: 1230 - 1530
Fee: $210 per week
Cruising 420s
This class is for older, experienced Opti sailors, for teen sailors who have completed the Sailing 101 or Beginning 420s class, and for 420 sailors who prefer not to focus on racing. Each day will be a new adventure out on the Bay with an emphasis on basic boat handling, seamanship, and safety. Sailors will also be introduced to racing rules and tactics and have the option to participate in weekly race days. As KSEA is hosting this year, Cruising 420s sailors will have the option to participate in the 420 Maine State Championships regatta, July 30-31 (*note date change. Separate regatta registration and fee.).
Prerequisites: Age 13-18, at least 100 pounds. At least one session of Opti Adventurers, Sailing 101 or Beginner 420s.
Monday through Friday: 1230 - 1530
Fee: $385 per 2-week session
420 RACE TEAM
420 Race Team (Green and Champ fleets) emphasizes having fun in a competitive atmosphere while building racing and teamwork skills, and preparing for regattas. Team members will practice together at KSEA and participate in weekly KSEA Race Day regattas. Team travel for "away" regattas is based upon capacity and is at the coach's discretion. Boats are provided. When committing to the race team, sailors are strongly encouraged to sign up for as many weeks as possible to maximize skill development and team cohesion.
To be considered for a pairing that travels to an away regatta, sailors should begin practicing with the team at least two weeks (three weeks for Marblehead) before the week of the regatta.
Travel regatta dates: (KSEA participation is tbc and at the discretion of the race coach and program director.)
Battle of the Bay, Boothbay Harbor, July 9-10 (departing July 8)
Harraseeket Junior Regatta, July 16-17 (departing July 15)
Marblehead Junior Race Week (aka "Marblehead"), July 22-24 (departing July 21)
We are hosting 420 Maine State Championship, July 30-31 (*note date change from previously listed), so it is not an away regatta this season, and all race team members will participate. (*Though KSEA is hosting this regatta, a separate regatta registration and entry fee will be required.)
Note regarding travel regattas: Additional expenses for travel regattas include regatta registration fees, plus food, lodging and travel that are shared between the families of sailors who travel each particular event. Travel expense support may be available.
Desired parent/caregiver involvement: 1) contributions to weekly KSEA Race Day Tea provisions; 2) driving and/or chaperoning to ensure safe and fun travel regattas; 3) for 2024, 420 Maine State Championships host committee and day-of volunteers for July 28 (arrival day) thru July 30.
Prerequisites: Cruising 420s (or equivalent), a desire to improve as a racer, and coach approval. Maturity of ability to work as one member of a two-person boat is included in the assessment of readiness for race team. Sailors who have 420 or other double-handed dinghy racing experience, but who have not sailed in the KSEA program, please email your sailing resume to kseasail@gmail.com.
Monday through Friday: 1230 - 1530
Fee: $210 per week
Private Lessons
Private lessons are available. Depending on instructor availability, we are able to offer private lessons after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and anytime on weekends. For fee information and to schedule lessons, please email kseaprogramdirector@gmail.com.