Biloxi Yacht Club Sailing School
Information Sheet
Program Description: 

(Registration Form, click here)

Online Registration for Session 1, Session 2, Session 3

Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Classes will be offered each year during specified Sessions (see chart on back). 

Beginner Class - Designed to teach sailing basics such as boat care, safety, boat handling, and sail trim with the goal of making all graduating sailors “boat qualified.”  Boat qualification is required to use any of the BYC-owned sail boats.  The Beginner Class is perfect for the non-sailor interested in learning the basics for pleasure sailing or competitive racing.

Intermediate Class – Designed to build upon the skills learned in the Beginner Class and incorporate more in-depth boat handling and sail trim principles.  Also perfect for the novice sailor that would like to “knock off the rust.”  Sailors will also be introduced to racing rules and tactics.  Graduating Intermediate Class Sailors interested in participating in BYC club or GYA Capdeville regattas are encouraged to seek Class A or Expert status.  More information concerning these requirements can be found in the FAQs attached.

Advanced Class – Designed to teach and develop specific skills necessary to sail competitively individually and with the BYC Racing Team in Club-sponsored or GYA-sanctioned regattas.  Sailors will be asked to attend monthly sessions focused on advanced racing tactics and rules, boat speed and handling techniques, teamwork essentials and more.  In addition, Karl Kleinschrodt, a North American 420 and Flying Scot Champion, will be holding weekly racing clinics on Friday evenings.  Specific costs will be developed once all guest instructors have been retained.

Eligibility:  Children ages 7 through 18 are eligible for the Beginner and Intermediate Classes.  To be eligible for Intermediate Classes, Sailors must have passed all of the requirements of the Beginner Class or pass the boat qualification test.  Advanced Classes are available for BYC members ages 14 and up that have attained “Expert” status.
Adult Lessons can be arranged at a separate hourly rate.  Please contact the Biloxi Yacht Club Sailing School Director (see below) for more information concerning adult lessons.  Both the Beginner and Intermediate Classes are available to BYC members and non-members on a first-come-first-served basis.  Advanced Classes are available to BYC members only. 

Cost:  A $50 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSITplus $300 per session for BYC members or $350 per session for non-members. 

Registration:  Early registration for BYC members begins March 15th.  Non-members will be invited to register beginning April 1st.  Each Session will accommodate 30 Sailors total and sessions will be filled on a first-come-first-served basis.  The Beginner and Intermediate Classes will be separated by the School Director once a session is fully subscribed.

BYC Fleet:  The BYC has a wide variety of sailing vessels available for use by boat qualified members and Sailors enrolled in the BYC Sailing School.  1 Hobie Cat, 2 Optimist Dingys, 5 Sunfish, 2 Bic’s, 3 420s, 4 Flying Scotts, 1 Highlander, 3 Scat Boats (to be used by instructors).  The current BYC fleet represents a wide spectrum of boat and sailing styles that can be enjoyed by all ages. 

Instructors:  The BYC Sailing School will have two assistant instructors assigned exclusively to the Class.  All instructors will be Certified US Sailing Level 1 certified and CPR certified.

Session Schedule:  Each Session consists of ten week days Monday through Thursday 8 am to 4 pm.  Sailors will also participate in two BYC Junior Races held each Friday 4 pm to sunset.

Admission Requirements:  The following pre-requisites are required for all Sailors prior to beginning enrollment in either the Beginner or Intermediate classes:

1. Show proficiency in the swim test to be conducted by the Sailing Program Director;
2. Complete and submit the Registration, Medical and Emergency Contact Information and Participation Agreement and Release of Liability forms (all attached);
3. Pay all applicable admission fees;
4. Purchase all necessary equipment (see below); and
5. Parent and child attendance to one of several mandatory Orientation Meetings to be held this Spring.

Required Equipment:  Each Sailor will be expected to bring with them each day the following items:

1. Personal Flotation Device (i.e. life jacket) meeting, at minimum, Type III Coast Guard Approval;
2. Waterproof sunscreen with at least a 15 SPF rating;
3. Closed-toe shoes with non-black soles.  ABSOLUTELY NO SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS; and
4. US Sailing’s “Start Sailing Right!” textbook.  Copies are available for purchase at the BYC Office for $15 per copy. 

Dress:  Sailors are encouraged to wear “cool” clothing, such as light-weight and light colored t-shirts and bathing suits.  Hats, towels and sunglasses are also strongly recommended.

Lunch:  One hour will be set aside each day for lunch.  Each Sailor is responsible for providing his/her own lunch.  Extra water or other drinks are also strongly recommended.  Sailors can either purchase lunch from the BYC or bring their own lunch.  Lunch packages can be purchased from the BYC, sign up will be available on the first day of School.

Pick-Up:  Sailors will be signed-in each day and can only be picked up by identified authorized persons.

Biloxi Yacht Club Sailing School
Frequently Asked Questions

Q.        Who do I contact regarding the Sailing School program?
A.        Please contact: Tim Manuel, Junior Sponsor at (228) 860-7649 or Tim.Manuel@biloxiyc.org

Q.        What happens if it rains?
A.        Show up.  We have put together a full list of rainy day activities (knot tying, land drills, movies, etc.).  There will be no refunds for inclement weather.

Q.        What do I do if I’m running late?
A.        If you are not more than about 30 minutes late you will likely be able to make it out on the water.  If you plan to be later than 30 minutes please contact the School Director and arrangements may be able to be made to pick your child up at the pier with a chase boat.

Q.        What do I do if my child is sick or otherwise will not be attending Sailing School?
A.        Please contact the Head Instructor to inform him that your child will not be on the water that day.

Q.        What happens if I’m late picking up my child?
A.        Please call the School Director immediately.  The BYC is not responsible for supervising the sailors after school is complete, but he may be able to put you in contact with another parent to make alternate arrangements.

Q.        What racing opportunities are available for BYC members?
A.        The BYC administers intra-club races that are fun and perfect for honing a sailor’s racing skills.  During the summer months, the BYC Race Committee sponsors Wednesday Night Races and Junior Friday Night Races.  Depending upon interest and participation, additional races are held on Saturdays and Sundays. During the Spring, Summer and Fall, the BYC Racing Team also competes against other yacht clubs in the Gulf Yachting Association (GYA) Capedeville Regattas and other regattas sponsored by the Mississippi Coast Yachting Association (MCYA).  A calendar of GYA and MCYA events can be found at www.gya.org.

Q.        How can I or my child become more involved in racing at the BYC?
A.        We are eager to grow our racing team and look forward to sailing with fun and dedicated people.  Please contact the Junior Sponsor, Tim Manuel at (228) 860-7649 or Tim.Manuel@biloxiyc.org to see how you can get involved.