Edward Teach Youth Sailing Association

ETYSA Junior Race Team - 2026 Program Have you ever wondered what it takes to race a sailboat? Are you looking to improve your skills and become a faster, smarter, and more confident sailor? The Edward Teach Youth Sailing Association (ETYSA) Junior Race Team offers young sailors an exciting opportunity to learn the fundamentals of competitive sailing or advance their existing racing abilities in a fun, supportive environment. The Junior Race Team is organized and managed by members of ETYSA, whose mission is to promote youth sailing and sailing education throughout Eastern North Carolina. Whether a sailor is completely new to racing or already has regatta experience, our coaches are committed to helping each participant develop the skills and confidence needed to succeed on the racecourse. Who Can Participate? The program is open to sailors ages 8 through 18 who have a desire to learn competitive sailing or improve their racing knowledge and skills. Training will be conducted in: • Optimist ("Opti") prams for sailors age 15 and under • Club 420s for sailors weighing 110 pounds or more Special consideration may be given to sailors using other classes of boats, such as Sunfish or ILCA dinghies. To maximize the effectiveness of instruction and practice, there should be at least two boats of a particular class participating. Practice Schedule Practices will be held most Sundays from 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM, beginning July 12 and continuing through October 25. All practices will be held at Blackbeard Sailing Club, located at 1215 Barkentine Dr., New Bern, 28560. Each practice session follows a structured format designed to build racing skills both on and off the water: Chalk Talk Coaches begin with a brief classroom-style discussion introducing a new racing concept or reviewing a previously covered topic. Topics may include starting strategies, sail trim, mark roundings, racing rules, tactics, boat handling, weather awareness, and racecourse management. On-the-Water Training Sailors then spend approximately 90 minutes on the water practicing drills and participating in short races that reinforce the day's lesson. These exercises provide immediate opportunities to apply newly learned skills in real-world situations. Debrief and Feedback After returning to shore, sailors will de-rig their boats and stow equipment. Coaches will then conduct a recap session, reviewing key concepts and providing individual and group feedback based on observations made during practice. A Full Season of Racing Opportunities One of the best ways to improve as a sailor is to race against competitors from other clubs. In addition to weekly practices, team members will be encouraged to participate in seven regattas throughout the season. These events provide valuable experience and allow sailors to apply the skills learned during practice. The current regatta schedule includes: • SAYRA Invitational – Wilmington, NC (August 1–2) • Gurganus Cup – New Bern, NC (August 22–23) - Queen Anne's Revenge Jr. Regatta - New Bern, NC (Sept 12-13) • Puff Mud – Beaufort, SC (September 12–13) • Board Bash – Mooresville, NC (September 19–20) • Halloween Regatta – Augusta, GA (October 10–11) • South Carolina Championship – Wilmington, NC (October 31–November 1) • Midlands Regatta – Columbia, SC (November 7–8) Participation in regattas is encouraged but is not required. The season concludes with the Junior Race Team Banquet on November 21, where sailors, coaches, and families will gather to celebrate accomplishments and recognize individual achievements. Support for New Racing Families Competitive sailing can seem intimidating for families who are new to the sport, but the Junior Race Team is committed to helping both sailors and parents learn the ropes. Coaches and team leaders will provide guidance on regatta registration, travel planning, boat preparation, equipment requirements, race-day expectations, and post-race debriefing. Parents will learn how to support their sailors effectively while becoming part of a welcoming community of sailing families.Fees and Membership The Junior Race Team participation fee is $175 and covers all scheduled practices throughout the 2026 summer and fall season. In addition, sailors must maintain an annual membership in the Edward Teach Youth Sailing Association. The annual ETYSA membership fee is $50. Please note that practice fees do not include: • Regatta registration fees • Boat charter fees • Regatta coaching fees Why Join? Racing is one of the fastest ways to become a better sailor. Participants learn boat handling, sail trim, racing rules, weather awareness, tactics, sportsmanship, decision- making, and teamwork while building friendships with other young sailors who share a passion for the sport. Whether your goal is to attend your first regatta, qualify for higher-level competition, or simply become a more skilled sailor, the Blackbeard Sailing Club Junior Race Team provides a pathway for growth, learning, and fun on the water. We invite all interested sailors and families to join us this season and discover the excitement, challenge, and camaraderie of sailboat racing. For more information: Chris Beisner, Head Coach chrisbeisner@outlook.com 678.234.5878 Clare Brock, ETYSA Board clbrock@embarqmail.com