Opti Green Fleet is designed for sailors who have graduated Mercury Mentors, LYC Summer Sailing Camp and/or have established they can sail an Opti sailboat by themselves. This program is an introduction to racing, and Green Fleet sailors have relaxed regattas scheduled into the program to get them used to the racing process. Each sailor will be chartered a boat to use for the whole season if they don’t own an Opti. The young sailors will practice basic sailing skills by using fun activities such as games, relays, and challenges to teach them how to race a sailboat. The Green Fleet mission is to teach sailors how to sail around a course safely, learn teamwork by helping each other rig and derig their boats, and sailing’s corinthian spirit. While having fun, kids build self-esteem and increased physical and mental alertness. Sailors will be introduced to competitive sailing and will gain the core skills necessary to eventually graduate to the next level Opti Fleet.
LYC 2022 FALL GREEN FLEET PROGRAM
The Lauderdale Yacht Club Green Fleet Program is excited to announce our Fall Program which will begin September 10th and end on December 31st!
This program will work to shape confident, proficient racers from those who have had some sailing experience in the past but want to work to improve their skills and become more successful on the race course and as skippers in general. Training and practices are held on-site at LYC and right in front of the club on the Stranahan River. Charter boats and equipment are available and kept on-site at the sailing center, but sailors and parents are still responsible for the care and maintenance of all chartered equipment. Charter fee is $25/Month
The Green Fleet Head Coach is Mauricio Galarce. Green Fleet coaching focuses primarily on fun with another specific focus on improving sailors’ skills on the race course with the hopes that these sailors move up to our more advanced fleets. Practice is held Thursdays from 3:30 pm to 7 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. The Green Fleet Program supports four regattas in the fall: River Romp in Fort Myers, Naples Cup in Naples, Junior Olympics in Jensen Beach and Orange Bowl in Miami!
Arthur Blodgett is the Head Opti Coach at LYC. Arthur provides insight and assistance in lesson plans, helpful drills, regatta plans, curriculum planning, and large-scale progression of our green fleet kids. John Casey, Sailing Director, oversees coaching and ensures smooth execution and follow up of all practices as well as regatta preparation, curriculum and training planning. Kacey Roder is our Fleet Captain, who assists with broad scale management of the Sailing Program.
LYC OPTI TRAILER AND TOWING POLICY
Green fleet sailors are given priority on the LYC trailer travelling to regattas, on a first come first served basis. Should you be willing to tow a coach boat, your sailor is automatically allocated a spot on the trailer. The LYC Sailing Program runs smoothly when parent volunteers tow coach boats and help with loading and unloading boats. All sailors are responsible for loading and unloading their own boats and equipment, but teamwork is essential on a sailing team!
LYC SUPPORTIVE PARENT POLICY
LYC Green fleet coaches strongly encourage sailors to take full responsibility of their boat, gear, and sailing in general. However, we do ask that parents arrive early before and after practice and assist with any tasks that are too difficult for the sailor to do themselves. We are trying to foster a community of sailors helping each other out, and a mindset that the sailors are capable, confident, and self-reliant! Any concerns or questions should be directed to the Opti Chair or Sailing Director.
There will be a fall parent work day and information meeting on Saturday August 20th. Attendance is strongly encouraged as key information will be communicated about the program. This is also a great time to meet other parents from the green fleet!
