CLINIC & oFF-SEASON PROGRAMS
Since our first off-season program in 2021, we have continually grown our offerings to get sailors on the water year-round.
FALL + SPRING OPTIS
The spring and fall Opti practices are geared toward experienced sailors, not beginners. These sessions emphasize advanced boat-handling and racing skills, tactical drills, and preparation for regattas rather than introductory sailing instruction.
Schedule: Sundays, 9 AM – 12 PM.
Activities:
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Speed work: sail trim, body positioning, and maximizing boat performance.
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Advanced boat handling in heavier spring winds.
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Racing drills: starts, mark roundings, and fleet positioning.
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Tactical racing scenarios (defending/attacking positions, reading shifts).
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Strategy sessions to prepare for summer regattas.
Spring:
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Focus: Early-season training for sailors who already know how to handle their Optimist.
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Goals: Build competitive sharpness before the summer junior sailing program and travel regattas.
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Dates:
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April 19th thru June 14th (no practice on April 26th & May 24th)
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There may be one Spring Regatta on the Bay
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Prices:
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$400 and $75 charter fee if you do not own your own boat.
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Daily Drop-In Fee of $100/day with $25/day charter
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Fall:
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Focus: Extending the season for sailors who want to keep racing after summer and stay sharp heading into Halloween Howl and perhaps Orange Bowl.
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Goals: Maintain racing edge, refine tactical awareness, and enjoy the stronger fall breezes on the Chesapeake.
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Dates: TBD & Includes Halloween Howl
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Prices: TBD
WINTER SAILING
We hope to bring back this program next year as it was a favorite of our sailors in 2025. Unfortunately this program was not in the cards for the 2025-2026 Winter Season. This program for our Varsity Sailors is intended to keep them active and continuing their improvement in-between the fall and spring high school seasons. Practices run on Saturdays from 11-2.
To get additional information like how to sign up, email hssailing@westriversc.com
29er CLINICS
Take on the challenge of the fast and exciting 29er dinghy in this hands‑on clinic. Sailors will build skills in boat handling, teamwork, and racing techniques unique to this high‑performance skiff. Along the way, you’ll refine coordination, sail trim, and overall boat-handling while developing teamwork and tactical awareness - skills that will make you a stronger and more confident sailor no matter what boat you choose to sail in the future. Whether you’re stepping into the 29er for the first time or aiming to sharpen your edge, this clinic offers the perfect chance to boost confidence, improve speed, and experience the thrill of skiff sailing
DATES:
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May 29th-31st
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June 12th-14th
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July 17th-19th
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August 14th-16th
SCHEDULE:
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Friday: 3:30-xxx Land training and discussion
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Saturday & Sunday: 8am to 4pm (Exact times may vary and will be set Friday night for best use of the conditions)
FEES:
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$100 if already signed up for the summer program
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$200 if not signed up for another summer program
HS JUMPSTART
The High School Jumpstart Program is designed to prepare every level of sailor for the fall high school season. Whether you are brand new to sailing, already a seasoned competitor, or somewhere in between, this one‑week program will set you up for success.
New to HS sailing: Whether you already know how to sail or not but curious about the team format, racing style, and high school sailing culture… This program will give you the inside track on what to expect.
Seasoned HS sailors: For returning athletes, Jumpstart is the perfect warm‑up to sharpen skills, get that muscle memory working, and hit the fall season running.
Held during the final week of the summer program, this program is the ideal way to build confidence, gain experience, and start the school year strong.
SCHEDULE:
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August 10-14th, 8:30 - 3:30pm
FEE: $550