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From the Director
Our Staff
Boats We Sail
FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Should I sign up early? Yes. Do not wait! Our classes fill up fast and they are first come, first serve. SSA members have priority until January 31st.
2. What course should my child take? 9-11 year olds should be in an Optimist. Children 12 years and older or those who weigh over 100 lbs should learn in 420s. We offer learn to race courses in the Optimist 420 & Laser.
3. Do SSA Members receive a discount? Yes. Voting and associate members of SSA receive a 35% discount on tuition.
4. Is there a lunch program? No.
5. Can my fees be prorated if I miss part of the program? No. Because we operate on a first come, first serve basis, many people are turned away. Therefore, we cannot justify prorating when others are on a waiting list.
6. What are my payment options? A $100 Non-Refundable deposit is due at the time of registration. The balance must be paid in full prior to May 1, 2007. If payment has not been received by May 1, a $50 late fee will be applied to the balance.
7. What is the selection process for popular courses? Of qualified students, children of SSA members receive first priority, followed by returning students, followed by new students. This process will apply to Racing Team selections as well.
8. Who are your instructors? All of our instructors are certified by US Sailing. They are also certified in 1st Aid and CPR.
9. Does SSA offer supervision before or after class? No, please pick up your children promptly at the end of their class.
10. What do students need to bring on the first day? Students need close toed shoes, a USCG approved life-jacket, sunscreen, towel, and a water bottle with their name on it.
11. Who should be in Green Fleet?
    Green fleet is a special fleet for beginner Optimist racers at any age up to 15. Green fleet might have skippers who are as young as 6 and as old as 15, but sooner or later they'll' move into their appropriate red, white, or blue fleet. Green fleet typically sails relatively close to shore and on short courses. Sailors may be coached at any time including during a race.

12. When should my child move out of Green Fleet?
    Sailors should be encouraged to move up when they feel comfortable with their basic boat handling skills in a racing environment and understand the basic rules of racing. Sailors that consistently finish near the top of the fleet should move out of green fleet to provide themselves with greater challenges and make way for new green fleeters. If unsure, consult with your sailor’s coach.
13. What are the age splits for Red, White, and Blue Optimist fleets?
• White fleet is for skippers who are 10 or under.
• Blue fleet is for skippers who are 11 or 12.
• Red fleet is for skippers who are 13, 14, or 15.
• In all fleets, the determining date is the skipper’s age on the first day of the regatta not the skipper's age at the end of the current year. Skippers move up to blue fleet on their 11th birthday and red fleet on their 13th birthday.
14. I am an experienced racer. Can I coach my child at regattas?
    If your sailor is participating in an event with a SSA provided coach, we highly recommended that you leave the coaching to them. Let them do their job without undue influences. If a coach is not present and you desire to coach, you must follow the coaching rules as stipulated in the NOR. Be cognizant that your experience level will be very different than that of a young sailor. Keep it positive regardless of race outcomes and limit your input to a few things at a time to avoid information overload.
    
    With the exception of the Optimist Green Fleet, coaching for all junior sailing is only permissible before and after, but not during individual races. Coaches can observe the racing from designated areas and provide feedback to the sailors at the completion of the race(s) observed. Coaching for Optimist Green Fleeters may occur at anytime including during the race.
15. Does a sailor have to join their boat’s class association?
    Sailors participating in championship events must belong to the class association. Although not mandatory for sailors participating in club or local events, it is highly recommended that they do join. The cost of joining is not great and in doing so support is provided for the operation and administration of the association. Class associations exist to establish and maintain national standards/rules for the class that adhere to or are complementary to international standards and rules, facilitate class championships and events, and provide overall organization for the class. One benefit of membership is quarterly newsletters that provided regatta results, tips, rules changes, schedules, and a number of other informational items.
16. Why should I join US SAILING?
    We highly recommend that all sailors, regardless of age that race at any level, be members of US SAILING. This organization has been chosen by Congress to be the National Governing Board (NGB) for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing in the United Sates. Their mission is to encourage participation and promote excellence in sailing an sailboat racing in the U.S. Please visit www.ussailing.org for more information.
    
    There are some major regattas that require membership with US SAILING. Others offer a discount in regatta fees to current members. US SAILING offers a family membership that provides for a significantly reduced cost on a per sailor basis.
17. Why should I join CBYRA?
    The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association is the representative organization to US SAILING for the 75 member clubs, more than 50 classes of racing sailboats, and over 1800 individual members from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and North Carolina. CBYRA has a special Junior Division that is focused on coordinating area wide schedules, support and assistance in establishing junior programs and development of instructional programs, and coordinating participation in US SAILING programs. The website at www.CBYRA.org provides much greater detail, including a section dedicated to juniors. Juniors who are members in CBYRA are automatically entered in the annual High Point Series.
18. Can I spectate from a Coach Boat?
    No. SSA coaches are provided boats to use in a coaching capacity. Coaches are responsible for the coaching and safety of all sailors under their tutelage and should not be distracted. Those desiring to spectate on the water need to arrange for their own transportation.
19. Can I launch my personal boat at SSA?
    Personal boats used for spectating or regatta support during a regatta can generally be launched from SSA. At all other times, only SSA members are permitted to use the launching facilities. There are several boat ramps in the local area available for public use, the closest being Truxton Park.
20. Do I have to be a member of SSA?
    No. The junior sailing program is open to all, subject to class availability. However, SSA members receive a discount on tuition, the ability to register prior to opening up classes to the public and receive priority for class registration over non-members. If you have more than one child participating or your child sails either all summer and/or in other seasons, the tuition discount may offset the cost of the membership. SSA membership also provides many other benefits. Contact the SSA Junior Director or SSA Office to inquire about your particular situation.
21. What is a SSA Junior Membership and what benefits does it provide?
    A Junior Membership is a special class of membership for those who have not reached their 18th birthday by November 1st. Junior club members must be enrolled in a junior instructional program or have successfully completed the Maryland Safe Boating course before they are permitted to go out sailing from the club facilities on their own. Children under the age of 18 belonging to SSA members are automatically provided junior membership.
    
    Junior members are permitted the privileges of an adult membership including the year round use of the facilities at SSA, boat launching, and participation in sailing and social activities of the club. Boat storage (year round) is subject to the payment of applicable fees and compliance with club rules. Sailors participating in the High School program are required to be Junior Members.