Instruction

The LCYC Youth Sailing School is designed to introduce novice sailors to terminology, equipment/rigging, tying knots, points of sail, boat-handling, and right-of-way rules. Participants must pass a basic swim test before progressing to on-the-water activities. The swim test is conducted on the first day of Sailing School. Generally, sailors must be at least 8 years old to participate.

2011 Youth Sailing School Photos

The LCYC Youth Racing Camp is designed for sailors who are proficient with basic sailing skills and who are interested in learning how to race.

2011 Youth Race Camp Photos

For more details on both these programs please visit the Learn to Sail page or contact Chris Besch.

Summer Sailing Camp

New in 2012, LCYC is offering Summer Sailing Camp, led by a US Sailing Certified Instructor! Camps are week-long day camps scheduled in June and July; sessions are available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced level sailors.

Session Dates
Session I June 4-8 - Beginner/Intermediate
Session II June 11-15 – Beginner/Intermediate
Session III June 18-22 – Beginner/Intermediate
Session IV July 2-7 – Advanced

Camps are limited to 10 campers per session; spaces are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, pending receipt of complete registration form and payment.

• Registration form will be posted on the Learn to Sail page in late winter/early spring.
• Fee discount for early registration through April 30, 2012.

Youth Race Team

The mission of the LCYC Youth Race Team is to provide a safe and fun learning environment where youth sailors can hone their boat handling and racing skills, while encouraging teamwork, friendship, and personal growth.

The goals for creating an LCYC Youth Race Team are to help to promote sailing as a lifelong activity; promote maximum attendance at youth activities and regattas; promote self-esteem, friendship, and sportsmanship among our youth team members; and build a foundation for future generations of LCYC members.

All youth sailors who are interested in racing and improving their sailing skills are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Contact Clay Cassard for more information.

Texas Sailing Association (TSA) Youth Circuit

The Texas Sailing Association schedules a Youth Circuit each calendar year, with regattas scheduled approximately once a month, from February through October. Regattas are held in various locations throughout the state, including in the Kemah/Clear Lake area, Corpus Christi, Palacios, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and Canyon Lake. Fleets include Opti, Laser (4.7, Radial, Full), and 420. Regattas are usually 2-day events, held on Saturday and Sunday, so travel and overnight stays are usually part of circuit regattas. The main event of the TSA Youth Circuit is Youth Race Week, which is typically scheduled in July of each year, in the Kemah/Clear Lake area on Galveston Bay. Race Week is often the highlight of the season for youth sailors, with three 2-day regattas held over the course of a week. Participants can choose to sail in one or two single regattas, or can stay for the whole week and sail in all three regattas. Awards are given at the conclusion of each regatta, as well as for the overall regatta for sailors who have participated in all three events. This is a great opportunity to make friends with youth sailors from other clubs in Texas and even other states, like Oklahoma and Louisiana! The TSA Youth Circuit schedule is posted on the Texas Sailing Association website, under “Youth Circuit.

Contact Clay Cassard for more information.

Recreational Activities

Saturday Sailing* - Sessions take place on Saturday mornings throughout the summer from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Saturday Sailing is an informal activity; sailors who are checked out for boat use can practice boat-handling skills and/or just have fun sailing with friends! It's also an opportunity for new sailors to get checked out for youth boat usage by making prior arrangements to do so with a Youth Sailing representative. Parents are required to be present to supervise their children, however, a Youth Sailing Representative will be on the dock from 9-12 to assist with boat rigging, launching, and retrieval as needed.

Youth sailors take part in LCYC's annual Build-A-Boat & Duct Tape Regatta, working as a team to build a boat on-site with provided materials and then racing against other teams in the breakwater. This is always a fun event, with much creativity and camaraderie.

Youth sailors have also taken part in other activities such as hosting a Commodore's Breakfast, helping out on Spring/Fall Workdays, attending Kick-Off Meeting/Ice Cream Social events, and Big-Boat Cruising."

*Check the 2012 Youth Sailing Calendar for Saturday Sailing dates. Saturday Sailing is scheduled for most Saturdays during the summer, however, there are several dates when youth boats are in use for other Youth Sailing events.

Youth Fleet Boats

LCYC has a fleet of club-owned boats designated for the Youth Sailing Program, including Optis, Sunfish, and Lasers, as well as a power boat which is used on the water as a support boat during racing and instructional events. The youth boats are available to youth sailors once they've completed a "check-out" process with a Youth Sailing Representative.

Contact Bill McVey or Harold Simmons for more information.

Canyon Lake Sailing Foundation

The Canyon Lake Sailing Foundation is non profit organization and registered with the State of Texas as a 501(C)3 corporation. The Foundation's charter is to support youth sailing and water safety. The Foundation accepts cash donations as well as boats and sailing support equipment and provides the donor with acknowledgement as documentation for IRS tax deduction purposes. All cash donations and correspondence should be sent to The Canyon Lake Sailing Foundation, P.O. Box 18554, San Antonio, Texas 78218-0554. Inquiries or offers should be addressed to Wayne Peacock.