Looking forward to Summer 2024
We’re working hard since the 2023 season concluded and are excited to start our new season for 2024. Here’s some exciting news and opportunities for registering for 2024:
The CYC Junior Sailing SHED is completely cleared out and clean to ensure we have a fresh start in 2024. Thanks to Ivan Fitch and his team, we are building a better sail and rudder storage system for easier access and ensuring we maintain our equipment, especially the new gear we’ve invested in!
Thanks to the Junior Sailing fundraiser, the funds were used to purchase two like-new 420 boats and sails, refurbished five 420 hulls, purchased 2 new sets of sails, new coach boat motors, added a center console to a coach boat for improved safety and purchased some opti parts. We’re looking forward to having reliable coach boats and replacing the tired fleet. Our goal is to continue to invest in equipment that has aged and repair equipment to extend their life in the meantime and we’re off to a great start because of so many generous sponsors and community supporters. THANK YOU!!!!
The Head Coach and Coaching positions have been posted and I encourage those interested to apply. We will complete the interview process with a selection committee and announce our team in March. For those of you who are interested in applying please do. More information is on the front page of CYC’s website.
We’ve made some changes to the titles of the Junior sailing program levels to align with CYC’s mandate and the CanSail program. CYC’s mandate is to provide opportunities for members to be more proficient in boat handling and seamanship. Our programs will continue to focus on advancing the sailors’ skills in sailing and racing while recognising not everyone wants to race and attend regattas. If you are not sure what program you should register in, please pick the most suitable category and add a note indicating your sailors’ experience. The Director of Sailing/Head Coach will be in contact with you should clarification be required. We will be providing evaluations for all sailors so they are clear on what CanSail level they have and what they need to do to receive their levels.
Clubspot registrations will open on February 1st for CYC members’ children.
Grandparents that are CYC members may register their grandchildren on February 8th.
Registration is open to the General Public on February 15th.
Due to the student/coach ratios we need to maintain, we may have some sailors on a waiting list. We will be reviewing registrations early this year to ensure students are registered in the right program, and we have enough coaches and boats to deliver a high quality program. For the 420 (double handed) programs, we will be reviewing all registrations to ensure pairings can be best established prior to the start of the season. This is particularly important for the advanced programs where sailors attend regattas.
Entries (theclubspot.com)
I’d like to thank all those parents and members who attended the first Junior sailing meeting in December and offered their support for Junior sailing activities. I’ll be reaching out again to seek support for some exciting initiatives in preparation for the Summer. Hint: we’ll be hosting a Junior Sailing awards event on August 28th that you won’t want to miss!
2024 CYC Junior Sailing Session Dates:
Session 1 July 1 – 12
Session 2 July 15 – 26
Session 3 July 29 – August 9
Session 4 August 19 – 30
We look forward to seeing you all this Summer.
All the best to you in the meantime and see you soon,
Jen Fraser
CYC Director of Junior Sailing
Happy sailing!
Email with any questions: [email protected]
Happy Sailing at CYC!
Session Dates 2024
| Session 1 | July 01 to Jul 12 |
| Session 2 | Jul 15 to 26 |
| Session 3 | Jul 29 to Aug 9 |
| Session 4 | Aug 19 to 30 |
Our registration for Summer 2024 will open:
- February 1st for Senior and Senior Family members
- February 8th for Senior member grandparents registering their grands
- February 15th for everyone
Please ensure your membership dues for 2024 have been paid.
You will be required to indicate your membership category in order to proceed with registration and registrations will be referenced against membership status. Any registrations completed out of the above sequence will be refunded and you will be required to re-register at the appropriate time.
About CYC’s Junior Sailing Program
Chester Yacht Club operates one of the most respected junior sailing programs in Canada. In the past decade, we have been developing sailors through our Junior Sailing program at an extraordinary rate.
Our Junior Sailing program is the largest in the province with over 100 competitive kids at times, and our results show it. Our “alumni” accolades include participation at multiple IODA events and top 10 finishes in a number of national, US and/or international regattas.
Jacob and Graeme Chaplin-Saunders, the Rio 2016 Men’s 470 Olympians, hail from Chester. In addition, Olympic hopefuls and Canadian Sailing Team members Georgia Lewin-Lafrance, Antonia Lewin-Lafrance, and Max Flinn all grew up sailing on Chester’s waters. This long list of talented sailors largely exists because of superb sailing conditions of Mahone Bay.
Facilities
Our property is laid out to house, during the regular junior sailing season, 50 club and private Optis, 13 420s and 10 Lasers, with lots of space to rig and conduct lessons and briefings. During Opti Jam, we house 150+/- Optis on our property and on Fredas Beach, with full 24hour security. Fredas Beach provides us with a wonderful launching area, in immediate proximity to the CYC dock, which also has a launch ramp.
Chester Yacht Club was extremely pleased to be chosen as host for the 2020 Canadian Optimist Championship. Over 100 sailors aged 8 to 15 years old competed for the national title and the right to represent Canada in international competition.