Youth Sailing Programs — Learn to Sail on SF Bay
Waterfront Director: Maurice Quillen
Youth Sailing Director: Finnagh Hanrahan email: finnagh@ggyc.com.
The GGYC Youth Sailing Foundation’s mission is to provide safe and fun youth sailing programs for all Bay Area kids. Our ethos is teaching Life Skills through Sailing. Our goals are to provide youth sailing programs that are fun, educational, and accessible. GGYC’s waterfront is a great place for student sailors to learn to sail and race, and to build lifelong friendships.
Summer Sailing Camp is happening this summer! Starting the week of June 8th, 2026, GGYC will be running weeklong sailing camps geared towards beginners and intermediates. Using our fleet of doublehanded boats, campers will learn about sailing, racing, and teamwork! To register or find more information, check out our camp webpage here.
The High School Racing Program is starting up again for the Fall/Winter 2026 racing season and is open to the public. Junior Varsity students learn basic boat handling skills and racing rules on the collegiate flying junior (CFJ). Varsity sailors learn racing tactics on the double-handed CFJs and will have the opportunity to practice on the RS Feva. When not training on the CFJ, GGYC youth members are encouraged to train on the club’s fleet of C420s, RS Fevas, and Lasers.
Over the past 25 years, GGYC coaches have mentored and coached hundreds of Bay Area youth and students. Schools we have partnered with in the past include the Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, Mission, Lowell, Galileo, Gateway, Lycee Francais, French American, Drew, Riordan Archbishop, and City Arts & Tech. GGYC is committed to building a diverse sailing community and welcomes students from all backgrounds.
High School Race Team
Requirements
The ability to swim 50 yards is required. Enthusiasm, commitment, and a sincere desire to learn to race in regattas are essential. Students need to have their own wetsuit, sailing boots, gloves, life jacket, a helmet, and a bailer (aka Arizona Ice Tea jug). The following forms are required before sailing:
- Student Information
- Medical Information and Directives
- Liability waiver (parents please print, sign, and bring to first practice)
The fall season runs from September to December and is limited to 25 students. Registration fees cover boat rentals, maintenance, coaching, and access to changing facilities.
Parents are required to pay registration fees for regattas, normally $25 per day. Scholarships are available to qualifying students. For more information about scholarships, email the Waterfront Director at waterfront@ggyc.com
Regattas
Regattas provide great opportunities for students to build confidence racing, work on their leadership skills, and make lifelong sailing friends. Coaches, students, and parents collectively decide which regattas to attend. Parents are responsible for student regatta registration, transportation, and daily lunches. A GGYC coach will attend each regatta on the GGYC coach boat for safety and coaching.
For an additional fee, GGYC will assist with regatta registration, boat transport, and on-the-water support.
Support the Students
The GGYC Youth Sailing Programs are only possible through the great volunteer efforts of our club coaches, parents, sponsors, members, and donors. We believe youth sailing provides today’s youth with invaluable life skills in teamwork, confidence, trust, and friendship.
Dinghy Rentals and Lessons
We are thrilled to announce that GGYC is now offering members and the public dinghy rentals as well as private and group sailing lessons.
Dinghy Rentals– For experienced sailors who want more time on the water.
Private lessons– Get one-on-one coaching from our experienced instructors and improve your sailing skills.
Group Lessons– Learn alongside others (or friends) in an easy-going environment, from beginner lessons to advanced racing tactics, we have instructors who can do it all!
To schedule a rental or lesson, please contact the Youth Sailing Director at finnagh@ggyc.com.
If you would like to become a volunteer or donate to the GGYC Youth Sailing Foundation, please contact the Waterfront Director at waterfront@ggyc.com.
Thank you to our sponsors and volunteers; You make GGYC Youth Sailing possible!
Tax ID 94-3344076
