PLAY ON THE BAY, THE BYC WAY!

Since 1945, the BYC has been host to some of the best in sailing.

Our variety of programs and events are enjoyed by people from all backgrounds and skill levels — for learning, leisure or the thrill of competition.

The BYC offers members an active teaching program for youth and adult sailing led by an experienced sailing director and US Sailing Association certified sailing instructors. The BYC sailing program is designed for sailors of all types: new sailors and racing sailors, children as young as 7 years old and adult sailors of all ages.  We have something for everyone.  BYC has club boats for learning to sail; both small optimist boats for 7-14 year olds, as well as sunfish, laser and 420 boats. BYC membership is required prior to participation in sailing instruction.

Our sailing program is overseen by our Rear Commodore and managed by the Sailing Director in conjunction with the BYC Sailing Committee which is made up of experienced sailors.  Each year the Brigantine Yacht Club employs sailing coaches to administer our sailing program.  All coaches must have a minimum US Sailing Association Level I certification.

Weekday Youth Sailing Program: Developing a Love of Sailing for a Lifetime!

• If you are not a sailor yourself, you may wonder what your child will be learning in the BYC sailing program.  Sailing is a fun activity that almost anyone can do. The principles and skills your child will learn can be used for any sailboat and for a lifetime.  In fact, many of BYC’s youth sailors have been recruited for collegiate sailing programs.  
• Does my child need to know anything about sailing to participate? No. Beginner Classes are an introduction to sailing.
• How hard is it to learn sailing? Not hard at all. Almost any child that shows an interest can learn. Boys and girls participate on equal footing. A certain amount of agility is always helpful.
• How well does my child have to swim? A child needs to feel secure and comfortable in the water. A basic swimming test will be conducted during the first week of classes.  All youth sailors must wear PFDs when on the water. Those who do not pass the swim test must also wear PFDs on the docks and yard.
• Does my child need to own a boat? Children do not need to own a boat during their first year of instruction.  Club-owned boats are provided for first-year participants.  We use Optimist and Sunfish dinghy sailboats in our beginner classes and class assignment is based on each child’s weight and height.  

We require boat ownership from the second year onward because children advance far more rapidly when they experience pride of ownership.  Second-hand boats are readily available. Instruction for intermediate and advanced youth is provided for Optimist, Sunfish, Laser and Club 420 boats. 

• What equipment will a beginner need? Beginners do not need expensive or fancy equipment.  They need a properly sized, Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD), a gear bag with water bottle, towel, sunglasses and sunscreen and a pair of water-friendly closed-toe shoes. 

• What will my child learn?

• Beginner instruction includes: Water safety and how to move in a boat. How to rig and launch a sailboat. Terminology and sailing vocabulary. How to tie knots. Sailing skills such as tacking, jibbing, and docking. Communication skills and teamwork.  Proper boat and sail care.  
• Intermediate sailing instruction includes: Boat handling to control the boat in various wind conditions. How to apply that knowledge to sail at different “points of sail”.  How to vary boat speed at will. An introduction to beginner racing techniques.  
• Advanced Sailing instruction includes:  Drills, racing techniques, and fun activities such as sail-away events for sailors who have achieved this skill level.  Advanced sailors may participate with the BOLT Team, the Brigantine Optimist/ Laser- Sunfish Team. This is our Travel Race Team that competes both within our club and at regional, state and even national regattas.

• How is instruction scheduled?  The Brigantine Yacht Club Sailing Program typically runs for 8 weeks, beginning the last full week of June.   It provides half-day group lessons, 4 to 5 days per week.    Beginners are generally scheduled in the mornings when the wind is lighter with intermediate and competitive sailing classes scheduled in the afternoons. 

Weather cancellations? Sailing classes traditionally are not cancelled due to mildly inclement weather. We will make every effort to inform parents in the event of cancellation due to severe weather conditions.

To request information about Brigantine Yacht Club’s Youth Sailing program, please go to:  LINK

Weekend Sailing

Based on demand, the BYC club holds weekend group lessons for children, adults and families. This program is designed to accommodate families that may only be in Brigantine on weekends and is scheduled according to demand.  Some years there is higher demand than other years.  In addition to a regular program, private lessons can be scheduled on the weekends for children, adults or families.

Regattas

The BYC provides series races for sailors of all ages throughout the summer including an adult racing series on Friday evenings.  Club-based regattas are held on holiday weekends.

The Brigantine Yacht Club is a member of the Mid Atlantic Yacht Racing Association which offers weekly youth regattas at member clubs during each summer season.  MAYRA-sponsored adult regattas are scheduled periodically during the summer season.

In recent years the BYC has had the honor of hosting regional regattas such as the BYC Classic Moth Boat Regatta, held annually in June and the Sunfish Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship, last held in Brigantine in the summer of 2025.