A program for Bay Area youths ages 8-15

Upcoming Youth Sailing Weekends:

September 12-13, 2026

October 24-25, 2026

If you’d like to register your child for either weekend, please email your completed registration form to ys@bvbc.org. Payment is due upon arrival on the first day of each sailing weekend.

Download Registration Form

Learn to sail

Welcome to the Bay View Boat Club Youth Sailing Program!

Our program is operated by experienced volunteer sailors who are passionate about introducing young sailors to the sport in a safe, enjoyable, and supportive environment. Sailing instruction takes place in the protected waters of Mission Bay between Pier 50 and Pier 54, where calm conditions provide an ideal environment for beginners.

Safety is our highest priority. Every session is supervised by instructors and safety boat(s), and students progress at their own pace while learning proper seamanship and confidence on the water.

Our philosophy is simple: "If in doubt, don't go out."

Students are encouraged to ask questions, communicate concerns, and make safe decisions at all times.

Program Information

Course

  • Two-Day Beginner Youth Sailing Course

  • Saturday & Sunday

  • 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (* estimated finish time which can vary)

  • Ages: 8–15

  • Course Fee: $100

What Students Will Learn

Students will receive hands-on instruction in:

  • Water safety

  • Boat rigging

  • Boat parts and terminology

  • Basic seamanship

  • Knots

  • Steering

  • Tacking

  • Jibing

  • Upwind and downwind sailing

  • Docking

  • Capsize recovery

  • Sportsmanship and teamwork

  • Respect for the marine environment

Course Requirements

Swim Test & Capsize Training

Participation in the program requires successful completion of a swim test on the first morning of class.

Each participant must:

  • Swim 75 yards continuously without assistance

  • Complete the swim without flotation devices or physical assistance

Following the swim test, students will participate in a supervised capsize recovery exercise ("capsize training"). During this exercise students will intentionally capsize a training boat and learn how to safely right the boat, re-board it, and remain calm in the water while wearing their required personal safety equipment.

Students who do not successfully complete the swim test or who, in the judgment of the instructors, cannot safely participate in on-water activities will not be permitted to continue in the program.

No refunds will be issued for participants who do not pass the required swim test.

The instructors' determination regarding safe participation is final.


Required Clothing & Equipment

Students must bring:

  • Life vest

  • Required properly fitting wetsuit

  • Closed-toe shoes that can get wet (no sandals or open-toed footwear)

  • Hat or cap

  • Towel

  • Complete change of dry clothes

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle

  • Bag lunch

  • Any required medications (inhaler, EpiPen, etc.)

Optional:

  • Helmet (recommended)

  • Sailing gloves

  • Knee pads

  • Sunglasses with retaining strap

Program Cancellation or Modification

Bay View Boat Club reserves the right to cancel, delay, reschedule, shorten, or modify any portion of the Youth Sailing Program due to weather, unsafe water conditions, air quality concerns, equipment issues, instructor availability, or other unforeseen circumstances affecting safety or operations.

If the program or any portion of the program is canceled or significantly modified, the program may, at its discretion, provide make-up sessions, alternative shore-based instruction, or rescheduling of affected sessions. Refunds, if any, will be determined by the program based on the portion of instruction delivered and the feasibility of rescheduling.

Weather Policy

Sailing is dependent upon weather and water conditions.

If conditions are considered unsafe due to wind, weather, visibility, or other hazards, instructors may suspend or cancel on-water activities.

When practical, canceled sailing sessions may be replaced with onshore instruction covering:

  • Seamanship

  • Boat rigging

  • Knots

  • Navigation

  • Safety procedures

  • Sailing theory

  • Weather

Instructor decisions regarding weather and participant safety are final.

Refund Policy

Refunds are available only if written cancellation is received at least 30 days before the first day of the program.

No refunds will be issued:

  • after the cancellation deadline

  • after the program begins

  • for participants who fail the required swim test

  • for participants removed from the program for safety or disciplinary reason.

Interested? Drop us a line.