Overview

Overview | Schedule | Registration Forms

TISC named 2007 Outstanding Year-Round Program by US Sailing's Community Sailing Council.

The TISC Youth Sailing program has been providing free sailing lessons to youth in the Bay Area since 1999. The goal of TISC has been to instill life skills of teamwork, communication, decision making, and responsibility through the forum of learning to sail boats. By presenting new challenges to children, we teach them how to create goals, overcome fears, and achieve success.

What to Expect:

Targeted age range is 7-18 years.
The instructor to student ratio is 1:5-7.
All participants must have medical/liability & registration forms completed before participation

For information on classes, please contact Amy Lyons at 415.421.2225 or email Amy

Current Class Offerings

Summer Class Descriptions

ORIENTATION

For kids who just aren't sure whether they are interested in sailing, we have another option, an ORIENTATION TO SAILING! Classes are taught in J24's. Though sailors might not have enough time to learn how to sail a boat by themselves, they will learn important safety lessons and perhaps learn that they want to join one of our regular sailing classes! Orientations are planned with groups (classes, after school programs, etc.)

BEGINNER

The objective of the beginner class is to familiarize students with the basics of sailing and to allow them to feel comfortable on the water. The students will learn safety skills such as righting a capsized boat, as well as basic nomenclature and rigging/derigging skills. The students will learn how to safely leave and return to the dock and will be able to sail independently. The basics of tacking, jibing, and docking will be covered.

Beginner Skills

General water safety rules
Equipment maintenance
Capsize drill
Knowledge of wind direction
Sailing Position
Knot tying (eight, square, bowline)
Knowledge of boat parts
Rigging
Derigging
Reaching
Safety position
Tacking
Jibing
Docklanding
Basic sail trim

INTERMEDIATE
The intermediate class will build upon the skills learned in the beginner class. Intermediate sailors will gain knowledge of sail trim, points of sail, and racing basics. Intermediate sailors will learn how to sail in various wind conditions, on different points of sail. Students will gain a greater understanding for sail trim. The intermediate class will also introduce students to racing basics such as courses, starts, and basic rules. The intermediate class will teach the students a great deal, but will also give them a preview of the skills that they have yet to learn. It will leave them wanting more!

Intermediate Skills

Upwind/Downwind Sail Trim
Points of Sail
Hiking Tiller
Knowledge of currents
Basic Understanding of Racing
Basic Understanding of Starting
Basic Racing Rules (starboard-port, windward-leeward)
Wind Shifts
Sailing Backwards
Heavy Air Sailing
Light Air Sailing
Getting out of Irons
Knots (double half hitch, knot purchase system)

ADVANCED & RACE TEAM

The advanced curriculum teaches students how to sail fast and smart. This class teaches the finer points of sail shape, boat handling, and boat speed, as well as tactical skills for starting, and reading wind shifts and current. The sailors will gain a feel for the boat and will understand how slight adjustments can make a big difference. The sailors will gain a greater insight into racing skills and rules. The advanced curriculum teaches the skills that even the best sailors work to improve upon for a lifetime.

Advanced/Race Team Skills

Boat Handling
Upwind Boat Speed
Downwind Boat Speed
720s
Sailing in Shifts
Roll Tacking
Roll Jibing
Sail Shape
Reading Telltales
Rudderless Sailing
Starting Tactics
Tactics in Current
Planing
Heavy Air Boat Handling
Mark Rounding
Racing Rules

JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR PROGRAM

This program trains young sailors to become leaders by teaching other young sailors how to sail.

Must be on the advanced/race team, or up to the advanced/race team ability, and want to assist in teaching beginners how to sail. Applicants must be 15-18 years of age. All inquiries should be sent here!

Swimming Requirement:

All students taking a sailing class must pass basic swim test including: 60 seconds of treading water, putting on and taking off a life jacket, paddling 10 yards.

PLEASE call or email if you need info regarding swimming lessons. For kids who may not know how to swim, TISC has specific classes that will teach the basics on the beach in our protected little cove. Please be sure to discuss this with our Program Director Amy Lyons PRIOR to signing up for a camp.

Preparing for Class:

Wear a bathing suit and/or clothes & shoes that can get wet
Bring towel & a change of warm clothes (jacket)
Hat, water bottle, sunscreen, and sunglasses are optional.
Bring a lunch and/or snacks if staying all day

Cost of Sailing Classes:

Classes are offered at a cost of @$6/hour of instruction.
Full scholarships available for families with a household income of $35,000 or less, or for families on a government assistance program.
Partial Scholarships are available for families with a household income of less than $65,000.

TISC has four types of boats:

Optimists/JY Opti Trainers
J24's
CFJ's
Access Dinghies

Optimists

Optimists are the most popular boat for young sailors the world over. Sailors will learn how to sail this small 7' boat by themselves. Each sailor will learn how to steer the boat, trim the sail, and balance their weight to maintain control of the boat. Once a young sailor can maneuver this boat independently, they will be able to sail any boat!

Flying Juniors (FJs)

Flying Juniors are popularly used in high school and intercollegiate racing. For sailors who have outgrown the optimist, this is a great next step. FJs are a double-handed boat and has two sails. Each sailor will learn the roles of both skipper and crew.

J24 Keelboats

J24's are used to teach kids how to sail as a team. These 24' keelboats are very stable and require the coordination of four-five sailors to maneuver the boat. An instructor is on every keelboat with the kids. All sailors will get a chance to steer the boat, trim the sails, and enjoy sailing on San Francisco Bay. No swim test is required to sail on the J24.

Access Dinghies (1-2 kids/boat)

Access Dinghies are a unique small boat with a heavy dagger board that can't capsize. They are built in Australia and are used around the world as a boat for beginner sailors and sailors with physical disabilities.

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