- Summer Sailing Camp Skill Levels, Classes and Boats
- Beginner Sailing Camps
- Intermediate Sailing Camps
- Advanced Sailing Camp /Introduction to Racing
- Boats
- Safety and Swimming
- Age Requirements
- How to Register
- Cancellation and Refund Policy
- Youth Scholarship Program
- 2023 Camp Forms
Summer Sailing Camp Skill Levels, Classes and Boats
Beginner Sailing Camps
Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3
Level 1 – Introduction to Sailing
Learn to Sail is the perfect place to start for students with little or no experience on the water in sailboats. In the Learn to Sail class students will learn basic concepts of sailing including how to rig, de-rig and care for the boats and equipment, parts of the boat, understanding the wind, points of sail, tacking and gybing, water safety basic “rules of the road”, terminology, and knots.
- Prerequisites:
- For students 7 – 13 years old
- Able to swim 50 yards (a swim test will be given on the first day of class)
Level 2 – Sailing Fundamentals
Level 2 is for students who have completed at least one session of Level 1 or similar sailing class, and are ready to move to a beginner/intermediate class where they can continue to solidify their skills. This is especially true for students who are only sailing a few weeks each season. In Sailing Fundamentals class students will work on gaining proficiency with rigging and docking skills, key sailing concepts and the fundamentals of boat handling, sail trim, and capsize recovery. Time in the boat is the number one key to sailing proficiency and Level 2 can be repeated to allow students additional time on the water to practice.
- Prerequisites:
- For students 7 – 13 years old
- Able to swim 50 yards (a swim test will be given on the first day of class)
- Successful completion of Level 1-Introduction to Sailing or equivalent dinghy sailing experience
Level 3 – Skill Development and Science Exploration
Level 3 is recommended for students age 9 or older who have completed one or more sessions of Level 2 and are ready to explore sailing as well as the science of sailing. In the Skill Development & Science Exploration class student will further develop their sailing and seamanship skills as they gain confidence with the boat, terminology, and the marine environment. For a broader understanding we will explore the forces at work in and around the boat with science related, hands-on learning and fun activities from boat building to navigation and sailing adventures.
- Prerequisites:
- For students 7 – 13 years old
- Able to swim 50 yards (a swim test will be given on the first day of class)
- Successful completion of Level 2-Sailing Fundamentals, or equivalent dinghy sailing experience
Intermediate Sailing Camps
Level 4 – Intermediate Sailing
Level 4 is for students who have completed at least 3-weeks of sailing camp and we recommend at least one week of camp this year prior to taking Level 4. Sailing in the afternoon breeze, this class emphasizes teamwork as students practice tacking, gybing, sailing on all points of sail and using proper sail trim to further develop their confidence on the water. Other topics can include currents, weather, a little navigation and more. Tell tales and tiller extensions will be introduced as sailors learn to sail their boats fast and efficiently. Sailors in this class can rig their boats independently.
- Prerequisites:
- For students 10 – 13 years old
- Successful completion of Learn to Sail Level 2 or equivalent dinghy sailing experience
Intermediate-Advanced Sailing Camps
Level 5 – Introduction to Racing
Level 5 is a performance-oriented class for graduates of the Intermediate class. We will use racing for skill development and sailors will practice working as a team to sail the boat faster and more efficiently using sail trim and crew weight to maximize boat speed and improve overall performance. Other topics include roll tacking, advanced boat handling skills, weather recognition, tactics, starts, strategies for rounding a mark, boat speed and the racing rules. Sailing drills and short course races will allow each student to advance his or her sailing skills in a more challenging environment.
- Prerequisites:
- For students 10 – 13 years old
- Successful completion of Intermediate Sailing or equivalent dinghy sailing experience
Boats
All camps will use OCC’s fleet of Lido 14 dinghies.
Boats will be sailed by two to four students depending on size, experience, weather, and traffic on the bay.
Safety & Swimming
Safety always comes first.
All children participating in sailing camp must pass a swim check which will be held on the first day of each session. Each child will swim approx. 20 yards and tread water for 2 minutes – lifejackets may be worn during the swim check.
Life jackets must always be worn when students are on the docks or in the boats.
Life jackets will be provided though students are welcome to bring their own USCG approved life jacket.
Age Requirements
All students must meet the age requirement for the class they will attend by the first day of class.
How to Register
What you need to know about registering
- All registrations are handled online through our occsailing.augusoft.net registration website. If you are unable to register online, we will be more than happy to help you through the process over the phone 949-645-9412, or feel free to stop by our office at 1801 W. Coast Hwy. Newport Beach, CA 92663.
- If this is your first time registering with us, please create a Household Profile with an adult member as the primary contact then add your son or daughter as a youth member to your household. Now you are ready to register your child for summer camp. Please do not register an adult for summer camp.
- Payment is due at the time of registration
If you have any questions about the programs, dates, age restrictions, anything at all don’t please give us a call at 949-645-9412 or email us at customercare@occsailing.com and we are happy to help out.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
If you need to cancel or change your camp registration please notify the School Office at 949-645-9412 or via email to customercare@occsailing.com
Cancellations will be accepted and refunds given following these guidelines:
A $10 processing fee applies to all cancellations.
Cancellations received within 7 days of the camp start date will be refunded less a $25 processing fee.
Cancellations received within 72 -hour of the camp start state will be refunded less a $25 processing fee if the vacant spot is filled.
If the vacant spot is not filled, we cannot issue a refund.
Youth Scholarship Program
at the OCC School of Sailing & Seamanship
A chance for all children to sail.
Sailing is an wonderful opportunity for kids to explore our local marine environment, learn a new skill, meet new friends, and gain confidence that transcends to other aspect of their lives. We believe all children ages 7 to 17 should have an opportunity to explore our local waterways through sailing and powerboating, and scholarships are available to youth who receive free or reduced meals at their local public schools to attend a sailing or powerboating camp for FREE up to $245/yr (7/1 to 6/30).
Thanks to the generous support of our partners CA State Parks – Division of Boating & Waterways and the Orange Coast College Foundation, youth ages 7 to 17 can apply for scholarships to participate in Youth Sailing and Powerboat camps at the OCC School of Sailing & Seamanship.
Applicants must have swimming ability
We encourage you to apply if you are concerned about your child’s ability to participate in summer sailing camp for any reason.
To apply for a confidential scholarship please send an email to youthscholarships@occsailing.com to request a Youth Scholarship Program Application Form.
Any questions or concerns regarding the Youth Scholarship Program can be directed to Waterfront Campus Director Sarah Hirsch or Sailing Program Coord. Mette Segerblom at 949-645-9412, or via email to youthscholarships@occsailing.com.