Stillwater Yacht Club offers an exciting youth sailing program for ages 8 to 18, designed to instill a love for sailing while teaching essential seamanship skills. Sailing on the beautiful waters of Carmel Bay, our program features a diverse fleet, including CFJs, Picos, Teras, Santana 22s, and Capris. All necessary sailboats and equipment are provided.
In addition to sailing, participants can experience the incredible marine life of Stillwater Cove, home to sea otters, harbor seals, dolphins, and various seabirds. Whether interested in recreational sailing or developing competitive racing skills, our program provides pathways for every young sailor.
If you're looking for all-day programming we suggest Learn to Sail or CFJ Development for the morning and the Youth Water Sports in the Afternoon.
Prerequisites: Must be at least 8 years old or about to enter 3rd grade.
Description: This introductory sailing course is designed for children to explore the fundamentals of sailing in a fun and supportive environment. Students will learn key sailing concepts, including boat parts, wind direction, and points of sail. They’ll gain hands-on experience by sailing in RS Teras and Laser Picos sailboats, which offer the flexibility for solo or partnered sailing. Whether they’re working with a buddy or setting out on their own, this program provides the perfect foundation for developing essential sailing skills while having a great time on the water.
For an all-day camp experience, have your sailor also participate in the Youth Water Sports program in the afternoon. There are multi-session discounts!
Schedule: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | Monday-Friday, One Week per Session
Session 1: June 16-20
Session 2: June 23-27
Session 3: June 30-July 3 (4th of July off)
Session 4: July 7-11
Session 5: July 14-18
Session 6: July 22-26
Session 7: July 28 - Aug 1
Session 8: Aug 4-8
Cost: Non-Member $380 | SYC, MPYC, and Beach Club members $295
Prerequisites: Must be at least 10 years old & have taken learn to sail or 11 years old with NO prior sailing experience.
Description: This morning's class is designed for sailors who have completed the Learn to Sail program or are older beginning sailors who are better suited for handling a larger boat based on age and size. Sailors will learn teamwork while working together in a two-person boat. The focus will be on understanding the parts of the sail, controlling the lines, and steering using the rudder, body weight, and sails. Ideal for middle school sailors, this course helps build confidence and enhances sailing skills in a supportive, hands-on environment.
Schedule: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | Monday-Friday, One Week per Session
Session 1: June 16-20
Session 2: June 23-27
Session 3: June 30-July 3 (4th of July off)
Session 4: July 7-11
Session 5: July 14-18
Session 6: July 22-26
Session 7: July 28 - Aug 1
Session 8: Aug 4-8
Cost: Non-Member $380 | SYC, MPYC, and Beach Club members $295
Prerequisite: Must be at least 8 years old or about to enter 3rd grade.
Description: This fun and engaging class introduces students to the fundamentals of sailing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding in calm, Stillwater. Sailors will enjoy kayaking along the scenic Carmel shoreline and paddleboarding through the peaceful mooring field. Each participant will also get hands-on experience sailing a 14-16 foot Capri sailboat with the guidance of an instructor. Perfect for those looking to explore the water and gain confidence, this class offers a great introduction to both the bay we live on and the joys of water sports!
For an all-day camp experience, have your camper also participate in the Learn to Sail program in the Morning. There are multi-session discounts!
Schedule: 1:00 PM-4:00 PM | Monday-Friday, One Week per
Session 1: June 16-20
Session 2: June 23-27
Session 3: June 30-July 3 (4th of July off)
Session 4: July 7-11
Session 5: July 14-18
Session 6: July 22-26
Session 7: July 28 - Aug 1
Session 8: Aug 4 - Aug 8
Cost: Non-Member $380 | SYC, MPYC, and Beach Club members $295
Prerequisite: Must be at least 11 years old and have taken an Opti or FJ development class.
Description: This class is for sailors with previous sailing experience. Sailors will learn advanced racing rules and tricks to improve boat speed in the FJ and will have an opportunity to sail CFJs double-handed. This class is especially helpful for our sailors who wish to join high school/club teams. Students will be allowed to participate in outside regattas with the full support of their coaches. Great for Middle and High School age sailors!
Schedule: 1:30 PM-4:30 PM | Monday-Friday, One Week Session
Session 1: June 23-27
Session 2: July 30-July 3 (4th of July off)Cost: Must be a SYC, MPYC, and Beach Club member $325
Prerequisites: Must be at least 14 years old and have taken a CFJ development, intro to C420s, intro to ILCA 6 class, or high school sailing.
Description: Take your sailing to the next level with our Team Racing course! Designed for sailors ready to dive into the exciting world of competitive team racing, this course will focus on collaboration, strategy, and advanced race tactics. Starting with 2v2 team racing, sailors will learn how to work closely with teammates, focusing on coordination, communication, and tactical decision-making.In team racing, success isn't just about individual performance—it’s about working together to secure the best overall results. The course will cover key concepts of team racing, including strategic boat positioning, mark roundings, and starting procedures, all while participating in thrilling races.
Team Race Formats:
2v2: This format features two boats per team, making it the easiest for beginners and spectators to follow. In this format, the team that finishes in 1st and 4th, versus 2nd and 3rd, wins—because “last place loses.” It’s a great starting point for sailors new to team racing, offering simple yet exciting competition.
3v3: The traditional and most common team racing format, used in high-level regattas. This format offers more complex tactics and strategic decision-making, as different finishing combinations can lead to victory. Once sailors are comfortable with 2v2, they’ll move into 3v3 for a more challenging experience.
Schedule: 1:30 AM-4:30 PM | Monday-Friday, Two Week Session Session 1: July 14th - 25th
Cost: Must be a SYC, MPYC, and Beach Club member $495
Description: The Junior Big Boat program is structured keelboats. The program allows new sailors to learn the ropes on a big boat platform – or experienced junior sailors can apply their small boat sailing skills to a new challenge. The Junior Big Boat program highlights fun, social, and teamwork. With Junior Big Boat skills, teens can be valuable crew on cruising boats and club racers. The program offers an introduction to Big Boat sailing through a framework of skills designed to provide teens with the resources to participate in overnight cruises or weekly race series.
Schedule: 1:30 AM-4:30 PM | Monday-Friday, Two Week Session Session 1: July 28th - Aug 8th
Cost: Must be SYC, MPYC, and Beach Club members $495Si