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

Sailboat Racing 101 Course Outline  Sponsor: Edward Teach Youth Sailing Association (ETYSA)  Location: Blackbeard Sailing Club, 1215 Barkentine Dr., New Bern, NC 28560  Schedule: Wednesdays & Thursdays, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM  Course Dates: Aug 5 – Aug 20, 2026  Total Classes: 6 sessions  Class Size: 6-10 students  Tuition: $375 per student (must also join ETYSA - $50 for a 1-year membership)  Boat Type: O’Day Javelins  Program Overview  The Sailboat Racing 101 course is designed for adult (18+) sailors who want a hands-on introduction to competitive sailing in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. Students will learn aboard O’Day Javelin dinghies and will develop the skills needed to confidently crew and skipper a small sailboat in a race. Students who successfully complete the course will be given a certificate of accomplishment.   Prerequisites  Students must already know how to sail. This includes being able to:  Safely leave the dock under sail  Sail competently and confidently on all points of sail – upwind, reaching and downwind  Safely and competently tack and gybe   Safely return to the dock under sail  Course Objectives  Identify and understand critical race documents  Learn how to prepare for a race or regatta  Learn how to properly rig a boat for the expected weather and sea conditions   Understand the official race start procedures – flags and sounds  Learn starting tactics and methods  Learn how to sail the designate (race) course  Understand how a course may be changed mid-race  Understand key concepts of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS 2025 -2028 edition)  Learn how to handle rule infractions and protests    Important note: The objective of this course is NOT to coach sailors who already have racing experience into being better competitors. It is designed and intended for sailors with little to no race experience who need the foundational knowledge to confidently enter and compete in a race or regatta.   Tentative Class Schedule  Class 1 — Pre-Race Prep and Starts  Wednesday, August 5 | 5:00–8:00 PM  Classroom Topics:  Introduction to the program  Safety procedures and PFD usage  Capsize and recovery procedure  Phases of a race: pre-start, start, sailing the course, finishing  Review basic right-of-way rules: port / starboard and windward leeward  On-the-Water Skills:  Capsize and recovery – students will be in the water for this lesson so dress appropriately!  Sailing drills – tacking and gybing  Short races (<10 minutes each) with on the water coaching  Class 2 — Race Starts  Thursday, August 6 | 5:00–8:00 PM  Classroom Topics:  Class 1 review  Pre-race signals  Official starting procedure (5 minute sequence) – signals and sounds  Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS)  Rules that apply at the start  Rules that apply after the start  On-the-Water Skills:  Sailing drills – tacking & gibing  Practice starts (5 minute sequence)  Short races (<10 minutes)  Class 3 — Race Documents, Courses and Changes to the Course  Wednesday, August. 12 | 5:00–8:00 PM  Classroom Topics:  Introduction to official race documents – NOR and SIs  Understand the course to be sailed (as specified by the race committee)  Understand changes to the course – signals and sounds  On-the-Water Skills:  Sailing drills – tacking & gibing  Practice starts (5 minute sequence)  Short races (<10 minutes)  Class 4 — Preparation, Rigging and Sail Trim  Thursday, August 13 | 5:00–8:00 PM  Classroom Topics:  Preparing for a race / regatta  Rigging for the expected conditions  Optimizing sail trim  On-the-Water Skills:  Sailing drills – sail trim for upwind, reaching and downwind   Practice starts (5 minute sequence)  Short races (<10 minutes)  Class 5 — Protests, Penalties and Hearings  Wednesday, August 19 | 5:00–8:00 PM  Classroom Topics:  How to use the RRS to your advantage  How to protest another boat   What to do when another boat protests you  How to handle protest hearings  Official starting procedures – 3 minute sequence  On-the-Water Skills:  Sailing drills – mark roundings  Practice starts (3 minute sequence)  Short races (<10 minutes)    Class 6 — Fun Regatta  Thursday, August 20 | 5:00–8:00 PM  Classroom Topics:  Skipper’s Meeting  On-the-Water:  Regatta  Awards  Recommended Student Equipment  USCG-approved life jacket (if available)  Waterproof watch with a configurable countdown timer1  Closed-toe, non-marking shoes  Sunscreen and hat  Sunglasses with retainer strap  Reusable water bottle  Lightweight rain jacket  Comfortable quick-dry clothing  Towel   Light snack  Waterproof cellphone case (if you must have your phone on the water)  Student Responsibilities  Students are expected to be ready to begin each class promptly at 5PM so plan accordingly. Instructors and coaches will try to accommodate exceptional circumstances but not to the detriment of the class or the agenda.   Students should plan to attend ALL classes for the duration. Missing an entire class (or most of one) will be difficult to overcome and will likely require independent instruction outside of the normal class time. The cost for independent instruction is $50 per hour.   Students are encouraged to ask questions to facilitate the learning process; however, disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. No refunds will be given for being dismissed from the class.   Students will be in the water at least once (for the capsize and recovery drill). As such, students are expected to be comfortable in the water (while wearing a PFD).   No food will be provided during class, so students are encouraged to either eat before arriving or to have a snack available.   Registration  Click here to register and pay for the class: https://etysa.tidyhq.com More Information  Please send an email to: etysacamp@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.