about the program

Our mission is to give our youth the opportunity to learn and enjoy sailing and racing. Sailing nurtures and builds confidence, team skills, self-reliance, physical strength, quick thinking and a love for the environment.

Our lessons are from Monday – Friday in the afternoon after school, from 3:30PM to 6PM. Or on Saturday morning from 9 till 11.30 AM. 

There is the option to either have 1 or 2 lessons per week. We give our kids the opportunity to choose their own paths, for example skills or more competitive racing.

Our regular sailing lessons run in a yearly program.

Unfortunately it is not possible to join for just a week or month. As an alternative we do private lessons, summer camp and fun sails.

The 2023/2024 season will start in the week of September 4, 2023. 


IYT SAILING CERTIFICATION

Since 2022 we are handing out internationally valid sailing diploma’s at the end of the season, when the sailor has reached a specific level. 

The Sint Maarten Yacht Club Sailing School, with help from the Maritime School of the West Indies, is using IYT (International Yacht Training) as the structure of the program and certification. 

You can find more information  here.


2023 – 2024 Levels / Groups

– Monday Optimist (Minimal Level IYT Bronze)
– Monday RS Zest (Beginners level)
– Tuesday Optimist (Minimal Level IYT Bronze)
– Tuesday Youth (RS Zest, Laser, RS Quest – Minimal Level IYT Silver)
– Wednesday Optimist Advanced/Racing – Minimal Level IYT silver
–  Thursday Optimist (Beginners level/IYT Bronze)
– Thursday Youth RS Zest (intermediate/Minimal IYT Bronze)
–  Thursday Youth Laser Racing (Minimal Level IYT Silver)
– Friday Optimist (Semi-Advanced – Minimal Level IYT Bronze)
– Friday RS Zest (Duo Handed)
– Friday Laser (Intermediate – Minimal Level IYT Silver)
– Saturday Morning Optimist (Beginners level)

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS -SCHOOL CLOSED

– Constitution Day: Monday October 9
– St. Maarten Day: Saturday November 11
– Christmas Holiday: No classes from Monday December 18 till Tuesday January 2
–  Caribbean Multihull Challenge: No classes on Thursday – Monday February 1, 2, 3 and 4, 2024
– Heineken Regatta Break: No classes from Monday February 26 till Monday March 11
– Good Friday and Easter: From Friday March 29 till Sunday March 31
– Kings Day: Saturday April 27
–  Carnival: Tuesday April 30
– Labour Day: Wednesday May 1
–  Ascension Day: Thursday May 9
– Whit Sunday: Sunday May 19