Sail Training

Summer 2026:

Our new Director of Junior Sailing for 2026 is Anne-Marie Di Lullo, and we’re looking forward to another strong summer on the water.

Our programs will continue to focus on developing sailors’ skills in both sailing and racing, while recognizing that not every sailor wants to compete or attend regattas. If you’re unsure which program to register for, please choose the most suitable category and add a note outlining your sailor’s experience. Anne-Marie will follow up if clarification is needed.

We will continue providing evaluations for all sailors so families have clear feedback on their CanSail level and what is required to advance.

Registration Dates – Summer 2026

February 22 – Opens for Senior & Senior Family Members
March 1 – Opens for Senior Member Grandparents registering grandchildren
March 8 – Opens to Everyone

Due to required student/coach ratios, some programs may have waitlists. We will review registrations early to ensure sailors are placed appropriately and that we have the coaches and boats needed to deliver a high-quality program.

For 420 (double-handed) programs, registrations will be reviewed carefully to establish pairings before the season begins. This is particularly important for sailors participating in advanced and regatta-focused programs.

2026 CYC Junior Sailing Session Dates

Session 1 – June 29 to July 10
Session 2 – July 13 to July 24
Session 3 – July 27 to August 7
Session 4 – August 17 to August 28

We look forward to seeing everyone back at the club this summer.

Happy sailing!

Anne-Marie Di Lullo
Director of Junior Sailing
Chester Yacht Club

Questions? Email: [email protected]

Happy Sailing at CYC!

Session Dates 2026

Session 1	June 29 to Jul 10
Session 2	Jul 13 to 24
Session 3	Jul 27 to Aug 7
Session 4	Aug 17 to 28

Our registration for Summer 2026 will open:

February 22 for Senior and Senior Family members
March 1 for Senior member grandparents registering their grands
March 8 for everyone

Click Here to Register for Sail Training

Junior Sailing Program Guide

CYC Regatta Handbook

Please ensure your membership dues for 2026 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.

Junior Sailing Regatta Dates for 2026:

July 11-12 – ARK – BBYC

July 17-19 – Baywind – HSC

July 23-24 – OPTI Jam – CYC

Aug 6-7- SailFest – LYC (TBC)

For the most current regatta schedule, please visit SailNS event calendar at https://sailnovascotia.ca/