At North Cape Yacht Club (NCYC), we believe sailing is more than just a sport. It's an opportunity for young people to build confidence, develop leadership and teamwork skills, make lasting friendships, and discover a lifelong love of the water.
Our Junior Sailing Program welcomes children beginning at age 8, from first-time sailors to experienced junior racers.
No sailboat ownership is required! NCYC helps provide boats, equipment, and experienced coaches to teach young sailors the fundamentals of sailing and the excitement of competitive sailboat racing.
Whether your child wants to learn something new, enjoy time on the water, or compete in regattas throughout the Great Lakes region, NCYC offers a place to get started and grow.
Getting started in sailing shouldn't require owning a sailboat.
NCYC helps make the sport accessible by providing junior sailors with access to boats, equipment, and coaching opportunities.
Our fleet includes Optimists (Optis), Lasers, and 420s, offering opportunities for sailors of different ages, sizes, and experience levels.
Our coaches work with juniors both on and off the water, developing skills in:
Our coaching staff has certifications in US Sailing Small Boat Sailing, Safe Powerboat Handling, and CPR/First Aid. Safety, skill development, and enjoyment remain central to the program.
Our program is designed to help young sailors accelerate their performance progress.
Beginning sailors can build fundamental skills, gain confidence on the water, and develop independence.
As their abilities improve, juniors can explore competitive racing through the NCYC Junior Race Team, where they learn advanced sailing techniques and participate in organized practices, clinics, and regattas.
The goal is simple: give every junior the opportunity to improve, enjoy sailing, and discover how far the sport can take them.
The NCYC Junior Race Team participates in the Inter-Lake Yachting Association (I-LYA) Traveler's Series, giving young sailors opportunities to compete and develop friendships with juniors from yacht clubs throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.
One of the highlights of the season is I-LYA Junior Bay Week at Put-in-Bay, where sailors come together for a week of racing, learning, sportsmanship, and memorable experiences.
These events help our juniors develop confidence, independence, and perseverance while becoming part of the larger Great Lakes sailing community.
Learn more at www.i-lya.org.
Practices combine on-the-water training with shoreside instruction and cover boat handling, sail trim, racing strategy, and teamwork.
Our coaching approach encourages sailors to challenge themselves, learn from their experiences, and celebrate their progress.
Whether preparing for a first race or competing at a regional regatta, juniors benefit from organized instruction and time on the water.
Some of the most valuable lessons learned through sailing happen beyond the racecourse.
NCYC juniors develop friendships, learn to work as a team, practice good sportsmanship, and gain confidence making decisions for themselves.
Families also become part of an active sailing community, sharing experiences at practices, regattas, and club events.
Families also become part of an active sailing community, sharing experiences at practices, regattas, and club events.
Your child can begin their sailing journey at age 8 -- and no boat ownership is necessary.
With access to boats, experienced coaches, hands-on instruction, and opportunities for competitive racing, North Cape Yacht Club provides a welcoming environment for young sailors to learn, grow, and have fun.
Ready to get started?
JOIN JUNIOR SAILING | REQUEST MORE INFORMATION
Contact the NCYC Junior Sailing Program Director to learn about participation, scheduling, equipment availability, and how to get involved.
North Cape Yacht Club -- Developing the Next Generation of Sailors.
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North Cape Yacht Club, 11850 Toledo Beach Road, Lasalle, MI 48145
Phone: 734.242.5081 Fax: 734.242.1496 Email:
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