Our Race Teams
Our different race teams are designed to support sailors in building their racing skills in a supportive, age-appropriate setting. Sailors must receive an invitation to join the Narrows Race Team.
Age 8-15 - Opti Race Team
Age 11-16 - Junior Varsity Race Team
Age 13-18 - Varsity Race Team
This team focuses on:Junior Varsity Race Team
11-16 Years of Age
Spring Season Practices: Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
One or two competitions per month
$450 for Spring Season - Scholarships Available
This team practices and competes in the FJ two-person sailboat class. If your sailor has taken a Teen Intermediate camp with us, they will already be familiar with this boat. The Flying Junior (FJ) is the standard doublehanded boat for Youth Sailing on the west coast, rewarding crews with strong boat handling skills & teamwork. This team is a great way for your sailors who are too big for the Opti to start their racing journey on a good foot!
Who is this team for?
- Instructor recommendation required
- Sailors of ages 11-16, over 5 feet tall or over 110 lbs. (FJ’s are a better fit for sailors too big for the Opti)
- Sailors who enjoy sailing with a partner
- Sailors who are new to racing
- Sailors who want to build a strong base for racing on the Varsity Team
This team focuses on:
- Building strong habits & routines
- Developing robust & confident boat handling skills
- Establishing a strong base of understanding for the Racing Rules of Sailing
- Strengthening skills in teamwork and communication
- Exploring sailing strategy & boat-on-boat tactics
Competition schedule: Northwest Youth Racing Circuit (NWYRC) - FJ events
This team requires extra parent support for sailors to be successful - this may include lifting boats, loading & unloading them from trailers, towing trailers, and helping your sailor keep track of their equipment. These events will take place in preparation & cleanup for competitions, as well as our seasonal work parties.
Email us for your sailor's recommendation
info@gigharborjuniorsailing.org
Varsity Race Team
13-18 Years of Age
Spring Season Practices: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Competitions most weekends in Spring season
$550 for Spring Season - Scholarships Available
This team practices and competes in FJ’s, Club 420’s, and ILCA sailboats. Racers with strong fundamentals that are ready to compete at a high level sail on our Varsity Race Team. The Varsity team competes representing their high schools during the Spring and Fall, and has opportunities to race in high-performance boats in the summers. These sailing opportunities push our racers and their skills to new heights through rigorous competition, and is the best pathway for becoming a certified Sailing Instructor with us!
Who is this team for?
- Coach or Instructor recommendation required
- Sailors of ages 13-18, over 5 feet tall or over 110 lbs.
- Sailors who enjoy having a variety of sailing experiences
- Sailors who want to compete at a high level
This team focuses on:
- Developing a strong & nuanced understanding of the Racing Rules of Sailing
- Establishing a high-level understanding of boat setup & handling informed by fluid dynamics & kinesthetics
- Competing in regional circuits at a high level
- Building confidence, independence and leadership skills in a supportive team setting
Competition schedule:
Spring and Fall seasons: Northwest Interscholastic Sailing Association (NWISA) - FJ's
Summer season: Northwest Youth Racing Circuit (NWYRC) - C420, ILCA, and FJ events
This team requires that sailors can work independently, have a team-oriented mindset, and have a strong desire to push themselves and their skills in a competitive setting. Sailors should be ready to put their skills to the test in all practices & regattas, participate in work parties every season they sail to care for boats & equipment, and demonstrate a desire to progress and grow as a team. Parents provide limited support via towing trailers, helping with attending regattas and filling key team volunteer positions as needed.
Email us for your sailor's recommendation
info@ghycjuniorsail.org
Why Sailing?
Sailing is an excellent way to build leadership, self-reliance, and confidence for kids. Our race team members learn not only how to race, but also how to contribute to a community through teamwork, leadership, and stewardship. Narrows Race Team members often go on to become sailing instructor-certified, race with college teams, and share their love of sailing wherever they go!
