LAKE HOPATCONG YACHT CLUB JUNIOR SAILING

We offer junior sailing programs for children aged 5 - 17.  Sailors can sign up for the sailing session that best fits their age and experience.

No, LHYC Junior Sailing is designed for all kids, whether they have experience or not. Kids without sailing experience will be taught the basics, while those with experience will be challenged as they develop their skills.  Sailors will be grouped by age and experience, while everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow their sailing skills.  

All sailors  must be competent swimmers and able to complete a basic swimming test on Day 1 of each session.  Beyond that, we ask that your child has a readiness to try new things, are fit to handle light physical activities, and are willing to participate fully in activities. 

• Wind Chasers (Ages 5–7) – Introduction to sailing
• Little Skippers (Ages 7–11) – Foundational skills
• Junior Captains (Ages 8–12) – Independent sailing
• Adventure Sailing (Ages 12+) – Recreational teen program
• Race Team – Competitive pathway

Not at all.  LHYC offers both recreational and competitive pathways.  Every junior sailor can choose whether they want to work towards joining the Race Team or just sail recreationally. For some junior sailors, the competition of racing is a lot of fun, for others this is not the case.  Little Skippers, Junior Captains and Adventure Sailing programs focus on sailors becoming safe & comfortable on the water, learning about the sport of sailing, and having fun.  Coaches may facilitate mini "races" that are used as drills, these are not scored and the place one finishes does not matter.  For young sailors that want to begin racing more seriously, please reach out to discuss joining the Race Team and also explore opportunities crewing for our Sunday Club Series.  

Yes.  The swim test is administered on the first day of each sailing program session.  All junior sailors are required to pass the swim test.   If your child is not a strong or confident swimmer, please contact the  Sailing Director. 

The swim test consists of swimming one lap (2 lengths) between the docks (about 120 feet total), without a life jacket.  Sailors must then demonstrate that they can tread water while putting on a life jacket, unassisted.  

Wind Chaser sailors  must be able to swim between docks (about 60 feet), with their life jacket on.

Registration is completed at Club Spot:  REGISTER HERE

Please ensure registration, payment, and all forms are completed at Club Spot.  After registration and payment, you will receive a confirmation email.   

Junior Sailing is scheduled in  two-week sessions, with the entire Junior Sailing summer season lasting 6 weeks.  Sailors may join for as many sessions as they like.  Many children register for all three sessions and experience a significant amount of progress over the summer, however, even one session is a great experience.  

The Race Team is a full season 6-week program.  

Yes.  Many junior sailors enroll for the entire summer season (all three sessions) or any combination of  sessions that work with their family's schedule.  Coaches will work with your child to build upon their skills and knowledge all summer long.  We highly encourage junior sailors to register for as many sessions as they are able.  

Junior Sailing sessions are structured in a way that that allows kids of all sailing levels to grow their skills during any session of camp. The first day of each session is a time for new students to learn the basics and returning sailors to refresh. The coaches assess the skill level of each child and then plan the session accordingly, with more experienced  sailors working on more advanced skills.  There are plenty of sailors that join for just one session each summer and build on their skills year after year.  

We do our best to group kids by their age and experience, however there are various factors that go into determining the groups including the skill and age of the participants in the session. If you have any questions or requests in terms of which course your child should take, please contact us for help in choosing the right course.  

The LHYC Junior Sailing  Program is designed to be a progression through skills as your child grows.  Children new to sailing (ages 7-11) should register for a  Little Skippers camp.  In order to register for the Junior Captains camp, sailors must have already participated in a Little Skippers camp or be able to demonstrate the equivalent skills and knowledge.  

Older children (ages 12-17) who are new to sailing or who want to continue developing their skills in a relaxed, recreational environment should register for the Adventure Sailing camp.  They will be grouped with sailors their own age and will sail in the afternoons, alongside the Race Team Sailors.  

The Race Team Program is for sailors that have previous sailing experience, are capable independent skippers, and have completed the Junior Captain camp at LHYC (or equivalent). Acceptance into the Racing Team Program is based on prior sailing experience and coach evaluation.  Race Team sailors will follow US Sailing Optimist fleet guidelines, progressing through Green, White, Blue, and Red fleets based on age and experience.  All Race Team sailors are required to provide their own Optimist sailboat for participation in the Race Team.

Every Junior Sailor participating in the LHYC Junior Sailing Program has the opportunity to earn a Race Team Jacket by accruing 20 points as outline here:

               a.  Halsey Island Race Win  10 points

               b.  Junior Sailing Instructor Award  10 points

               c.  Skippering in a regatta with two or more days of racing  8 points 

               d.  Skippering in a one-day regatta  6 points 

               e.  Skippering in LHYC club sailing  5 points 

               f.  Crewing in a regatta with two or more days of racing  4 points 

               g.  Crewing in a one-day regatta  3 points 

               h.  Crewing in LHYC club sailing  1 point 

Each sailor is responsible for tracking their progress and must submit a completed Race Team Jacket Form to the Junior Sailing Committee, before a jacket will be awarded at the annual end-of-season Awards Banquet.  .

Earning the Race Team Jacket takes time and hard work.  Junior Sailors that have been awarded the Race Team Jacket have demonstrated their dedication to the sport.  Please take the initiative and work together with your sailing instructors, teammates, and parents to create plan to accrue the 20 points.  All of the members of LHYC are available to offer mentorship and support in helping you reach your junior sailing goals.   

Junior Sailing operates 4 days a week (Tuesday - Friday) in half day sessions.  

     Morning Sessions:      9:00 am - 12:00 pm

     Afternoon Sessions:   1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Wind Chaser program meets 1 day a week (Wednesday) in the afternoon for 2 hours.

     Tuesday:   3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Any changes to the schedule for holidays or weather will be noted.  

Sailing instruction starts promptly at 9am and 1pm, we ask that your child arrives on time.  Coaches will be ready to greet your children 15 minutes prior to the start of sailing each day, so that they are ready to sail at the start of class.  

Please be ready to meet &  pick up your children at the end of sailing: 12pm and 4pm.  We do not have the staff available to watch your children after program hours and appreciate your timeliness.  

Pick Up and Drop Off will be at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club: 

     75 N Bertrand Rd, Mt Arlington, NJ 07856.  

The Club is also accessible by motorboat with plenty of dock space for parents bringing their sailors via the Lake.  

• Coast Guard Approved Life Vest, with attached safety whistle
• Close-toed shoes that can get wet
• Bathing Suit
• Athletic Shirt
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Water bottle
• Snacks
• Sunscreen
• Towel
• Rain Gear, when needed

Good closed-toe shoes are important aboard a boat as they provide traction on slick wet surfaces and offer protection. Shoes should be soft, have a non-marking sole and should be fast drying. Deck shoes, water shoes, or non-marking tennis shoes are recommended. Black soled shoes, sandals, and flip flops are not permitted. Bare feet are not allowed. Those who arrive without the appropriate foot wear will be sent home.

Yes, life jackets are required to be worn at all times on the docks and aboard the vessels. Sailors must bring their own properly fitting, US Coast Guard approved life jackets to all water/sailing activities. Please stress the importance of this rule with your child.

Sailors are responsible for their own food and drinks.  Programs do not operate during lunch hours, but sailors are welcome to bring snacks.  There is ample opportunity to refill water bottles at the Club.  

Junior Sailors and their families are welcome to purchase lunch at the LHYC Snack Bar, before or after camp, from 12:00 - 1:00 pm.  The Snack Bar is open daily and offers a wide variety of lunch, snack, and ice cream options.

Sailing instruction continues even if it rains. Rain storms generally pass over the area very quickly and rarely cancel sailing for the entire day.  If the weather prevents us from sailing, we will spend time learning skills  and facilitating activities on land.  Our Coaches  are expert sailors adept at monitoring the weather and will head to shore if there is any threat of danger.

In the event of extreme weather or power outages, you will be contacted if there are any delays or cancellations.  

Absolutely.  Parents are welcome to stay at the Club during your child's sailing session.  The lakeside porch has many tables and chairs that are perfect to watch your child on the lake.  Parents with access to boats may also head out on the lake to see their junior sailor in action.  While at the Club, families may order from the Snack Bar.  

Once the sailing session and lunch is finished for the day, access is limited to LHYC members only. 

You will be provided with contact information for the Sailing Director and Coaches before the start of the session.  If there is an immediate need to contact your child during the day, please reach out to the Sailing Director.  

Yes.  Contact the Sailing Director or Junior Sailing Coaches for more information.  

For extra safety measures, we require that a parent/guardian is present at LHYC during program hours.  This Shore Parent can help supervise students that are not sailing for any reason and coordinate any issues that may arise.  During a 2-week session, we will need 8 volunteers.  Please contact the Junior Sailing Director for more information.

The Halsey Island Race is a tradition at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club.  The race represents the culmination of a summer of junior sailing and lets young sailors showcase their skills.  Junior sailors of all ages and abilities are given the chance to race against each other for the end of season trophies.  This is a fun experience and we encourage all sailors to participate.  Parents are welcome to watch from shore and by spectator boat on the lake.  More information will be provided throughout the season.

No. Registration tuition covers all program activities and equipment, as well as any fees incurred for extra activities.

Parents will have the option to purchase additional LHYC Junior Sailing merchandise. 

LHYC Member Discount: Members receive special pricing, contact Junior Sailing Director for more information.  

No.  We plan sessions and hire staff based on  registration and for this reason we are unable to offer refunds for unattended program days. If your child is ill, and there is another session that has availability, he or she may make up the days as long as they provide a note from a doctor.

LHYC Members receive special Junior Sailing pricing.  Contact the Junior Sailing Director for more information.

The LHYC Snack Bar accepts cash and credit card. 

Yes.  Junior Sailing merchandise (like additional summer camp T-Shirts) can be order at: LHYC Online Shop. 

Sailors will receive one Junior Sailing T-Shirt per summer, if registered by June 1st.  T-Shirts cannot be guaranteed for registrations after June 1st.