The Green Fleet Race Team introduces Opti sailors to racing and competition while participating with an entry-level travel team. Sailors develop the techniques needed to sail fast around a racecourse and compete with other new racers. Coaches provide a fun and supportive team environment that sets the foundation for sailor progression into the Opti Champ Fleets and beyond.
Our Green Fleet Race Team is organized into two groups for first-year racers and returning team members. Both groups practice together, but the first-year group attends a more local schedule of regattas with lots of support provided to make for a friendly and positive experience. We typically attend one or two regattas per month.
We provide a basic boat lease and starter equipment package for Green Fleet Race Team members. This includes the boat, spars, blades, covers, travel dolly, and a club sail. We also offer a low-cost starter race kit complete with extra sail ties, control lines, airbags, bailers, simple hand tools, tape, and select spare parts. We'll provide all the training and resources needed for parents to become knowledgeable and comfortable helping to rig boats and travel with their equipment.
Our schedule follows the school year calendar with the Fall Season running from late August through mid-December and the Spring Season running from early January through mid-May. Sailors may enroll in either a full-year or one-semester season.
We meet for practice sailing sessions twice a week after school and on Saturdays when we are not away at regattas. During the winter we host a series of interactive video reviews, team games, and fun boat rigging sessions when it is too dark to sail.
The Green Fleet Race Team is open to all sailors ages 8-12 who have completed our Intermediate Pram 2 Learn to Sail Class or have equivalent knowledge and experience.
We highly recommend completing our Advanced Opti 3 Class either before or during your first year of Green Fleet. The skills taught in Opti 3 are similar to those learned throughout the Green Fleet experience but without the added competitive element of regattas. First-year racers may enroll in the Fall Opti 3 Class and the Green Fleet Team at the same time. First-year racers joining the Green Fleet Team in the Spring Season should plan to take Opti 3 during our Christmas Vacation Camp.
All Learn To Sail Classes are currently available as part of our Summer Sailing Program. Look for an Opti Green Fleet Team Information Session later this summer.
Required Skills for First-Year Green Fleet Team: [Taught in our Pram 1 & 2 Learn To Sail Classes]
Able to evaluate wind direction and speed.
Demonstrate getting out of irons without assistance.
Tie a bowline, square, and stopper knots.
Jibe safely and control the boom as it crosses sides.
Tack safely from close-hauled to close-hauled.
Turn the boat with the tiller extension and sheet the sail at the same time
Sail a triangle course with trim for each point of sail.
Perform a 360 and 720-degree turn.
Self-rescue after a capsize.
Anticipate and avoid collisions.
Launch and recover their boat from a beach and dock.