SSA Junior Race Teams

The Optimist is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use by young people up to the age of 15. It is 8' long and just under 4' wide and features a pram bow, single sprit-rigged sail, and several fine tuning points to keep young sailors engaged and learning.

The Optimist is one of the two most popular sailing dinghies in the world, with over 150,000 boats officially registered with the class and many more built but never registered. It is sailed in over 120 countries and it is one of only two sailboats as an International Class by World Sailing exclusively for sailors under 16.

Green Fleet & Opti RWB

Opti Green Fleet is an introduction to racing. Green Fleet is a stepping-stone for sailors who are new to racing, but interested in competing in sailing and ultimately moving up to the Optimist Red, White and Blue fleet. Parental involvement is expected to facilitate travel, trailering, and chaperoning. 

Successful completion of the Optimist Rookie Racers program is a prerequisite for this program (but may be waived at the discretion of the Junior Program Director).

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The Opti RWB (Red/White/Blue) Team is for more advanced racing sailors who compete primarily in regattas in the Annapolis and surrounding areas, but also supports team members traveling to more distant regional and national level regattas. The Opti RWB Team, while subdivided into 3 age groups, practices and races together. The Red/White/Blue designations are age bands used to score age groups separately at regattas: White (10 or younger), Blue (11-12), and Red (13-15). The Optimist RWB Team is ideal for sailors who are comfortable and proficient at racing. Parental involvement is expected to facilitate travel, trailering, and chaperoning. The Optimist RWB Team Coaches will be present at all supported regattas to help team members both on and off the water. 

Green Fleet: 3-5 local CBYRA regattas throughout the summer. Typically each Half-Summer group will attend 2 or 3 regattas.

Possible schedule: Fishing Bay (June 21-22), West River (June 30), AYC (July 1), SSA (July 2), Lewes (July 23), Miles River (August 7), Oxford (August 9-10)

Opti RWB: Heavy CBYRA travel schedule including VA Race Week, Annapolis Race Week, Eastern Shore Race Week, and generally will include USODA Nationals.

Possible Schedule: VA Race Week [Fishing Bay, Hampton, Norfolk] June 21-27, Annapolis Race Week [WRSC, AYC, SSA] June 30-July 2, USODA Nationals, MD State Champs (Rock Hall, July 24-25), Oxford (August 9-10)

Green Fleet: Full-Summer or Half-Summer commitments. Application Required for scheduling purposes.

Full Summer: $3,750 + Travel Fee

1st Half Summer: $2,400 + Travel Fee [June 9 - July 11]

2nd Half Summer: $2,200 + Travel Fee [July 14 - August 8]

Opti RWB: Full Summer commitments preferred but Half-Summer options available as well. Application Required. Priority registration for Full Summer applicants.

Drop-In's for both teams may be available for a fee with advanced notice.

Full Summer: $4,000 + Travel Fee

1st Half Summer: $2,400 + Travel Fee [June 9 - July 11]

2nd Half Summer: $2,200 + Travel Fee [July 14 - August 8]

Opti Green Fleet and Opti RWB sailors must provide their own boat, which must be equipped as follows:

• 27’-30’ Floating bow line (6mm/1/4” min. diameter), secured to mast step

• Two bailers that are secured to the boat

• Three air bags which must be firmly inflated and able to hold air

• Rudder retainer clip (secures rudder to transom)

• Daggerboard lanyard (to prevent it from floating away if capsized)

• Mast tie in system (line and/or locking collar)

• Bridle/Mainsheet connection, must be a shackle-type quick connect, no carabiners or other self-opening clips are permitted for safety reasons.

• Mainsheet Bridle, no looser then approx. 4” from boom, and must have safety line.

• Paddle or Praddle with lanyard

• Opti sail tie kit and spares (purchase a kit HERE)

• Follow the Optimist Class Rules: READ HERE

Participants will need to bring the following things to camp every day, clearly labeled with their name:

• PFD/Life Jacket (Coast Guard approved) with whistle

• Closed-toed shoes that can get wet

• Change of clothes & towel

• Sunglasses & hat

• Sunscreen

• Lunch & Healthy Snacks (NO PLASTIC BAGS)

• Reusable water bottle