Opti Green Team
Fall Season | Spring Season | Summer Season
Learning to sail is an exciting experience. Our Opti Green Team is an after-school team made for sailors that have “graduated” from summer learn-to-sail camps but still want to learn more and be a part of a fun, inclusive community. It is a model that is found at many sailing programs around the country and is designed to help ease budding sailors into the sport and life-long activity of sailing.
The Opti Green Team focuses on fun, growth, and preparing sailors for the skills they’ll use as they mature and eventually join our more competitive Opti Race Team. On the team sailors will continue to build up their foundation of sailing and seamanship skills.
On the Green Team, attitude is key. If your sailor is eager to get on the water and learn, they will have a great time on the Opti Green Team!
FAQs
Seasons
Opti Green Team is a three season sport: fall, spring, and summer. Fall is our building season and the best time for new sailors to join. The Opti Green team practices two times a week each season.
What Do Sailors Do At Practice?
They will keep building on the foundation of skills and knowledge learned in their Summer Camp Classes. Sailors will practice maneuvers, go on adventures, learn other fun maritime skills and activities: knot tying, swimming (if it’s warm), long distance sails, games, land games on no-wind days, etc.
Who Can Participate?
Green Team sailors are typically ages 8-10, but can be younger if they're really motivated.
Skill wise, sailors must have gone through at least our Basic Youth Sailing (formerly Opti 1) learn to sail class and have graduated from it. Higher level classes are great and will make sure your sailor has a more productive (and FUN!) time sailing on the Green Team, but aren't a requirement. Sailors need to be able to sail upwind and have an eager attitude to learn and sail!
Do Opti Green Team Sailors Go to Competitions?
Mainly offered in the Summer there are Opti “Green” Fleet regattas. These happen either in tandem with a bigger regatta for older youth, or as stand alone events. Opti Green Fleets are low key, fun, and de-emphasize the potential seriousness of racing. Opti Green Team sailors don’t have to attend these events, but it’s encouraged once the Sailor feels ready.
Our program hopes to have one Opti Green Team event during each "shoulder" season - Fall and Spring!
When Do Opti Green Team Sailors "Graduate" to Opti Race Team?
Typically sailors will sail on Opti Green Team for a year or so before graduating to Opti Race Team. It’s suggested Opti Green Team Sailors attend at least 1-2 Opti Green Fleet Regattas before moving on to the Opti Race Team. Coaches will approach your sailor and you when they believe it is time for your sailor to take the next step!
Registration
Registration typically opens one to two months prior to the start of season.
Fall season: mid-September through end of October
Spring season: mid-March through mid-May
Summer season: mid-June through beginning of September
Check out our [Registration][1] page to see if registration for a new season is underway! New sailors are encouraged to email the Head Coach at executivedirector@olympiacommunitysailing.org to figure out which team is right for them.
Sailors who have competed with us in the past will get an email when registration opens for the new season!
Scholarships
Olympia Community Sailing runs many programs throughout the year, including our Race Teams. Our goal is always to operate at cost, keeping fees/dues as low as we can. Any profit goes directly back into maintenance, boat replacement, scholarship funds, etc.
One way to look at costs is to consider the length (number of hours) you’ll be sailing with us and divide the cost by that number. Typically the hourly rate for a sailor to be here is less than your average baby sitter and commiserate team sports.
…Don’t let costs be a barrier!
Scholarships, sibling rates, and payment plans are all available. We have assisted many families with loaning or purchasing gear, reduced rates, scholarships for both Summer Camps AND our competitive after school and summer Race Teams.
Click here to see Scholarship Information.
