Opti Race Team

Fall | Winter | Spring | Summer

 

Sailing is a challenging and dynamic sport that takes place in some of the coolest sports venues: our local waterways! The OCS Opti Race Team is perfect for sailors grades 5-7th that love to sail and seek to challenge themselves with advanced sailing and more regattas.

On the Opti Race Team, sailors will expand upon their sailing skills by learning advanced sailing and racing maneuvers and tactics. This team is perfect for those sailors that have been on our Opti Green Team for at least a year and have a solid foundation, and who really want to challenge themselves more!

Opti racing is a world-wide sport and can be as competitive as you want it to be. Sailors and parents new to the world of Opti racing should check out this article that goes into all the details of Opti racing: Opti Racing Explained.

FAQs

What IS Sailboat Racing?

Youth sailboat racing is a nation-wide sport! It is co-ed with zero gender bias - men and women compete together equally. Opti Race Team sailors have the opportunity to travel locally throughout the PNW to compete in some of the world's most beautiful and dynamic playing fields: our oceans, lakes, and rivers!

When Does The Opti Race Team Practice?

Opti Race Team is a two season sport: Fall AND Spring. Fall is our building season and the best time for new sailors to join. The Opti Race team practices two times a week after school. Check out the Registration page to see this coming season's practice schedule.

Who Can Participate?

Any sailor between 10 and 15 with prior Opti sailing experience can participate! The Opti is a boat most comfortable for sailors around or under 100lbs - email Head Coach at executivedirector@olympiacommunitysailing.org if you aren't sure the Opti Race Team is right for your sailor.

How Much Does It Cost?

Olympia Community Sailing strives to provide a low-cost sailing experience for all youth in Thurston County. We keep our costs comparable or lower to other commiserate youth sports. Scholarships are also available! Boats are provided for practice and competitions.

Check out the Registration page to see our tiered fee system.

Do Opti Race Team Sailors Go to Competitions?

Yes! As more and more PNW programs are operating year-round Opti race teams, competitions during the shoulder seasons (fall and spring) are becoming more frequent. Each season Opti Race Team sailors will have the opportunity to compete at several regattas. Check out the Registration page to see the regatta schedule!

Seasons

Fall season begins in September and Spring season begins in March. Registration typically opens one to two months prior to the start of season.

Check out our Current Programs 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.