INTRODUCTORY RACE TEAMS

The School Year Racing Program is an introductory racing program that includes a practice commitment of one-two days a week and travel to regattas across Southwest Florida. Our Coaches work with our fleets (Opti Green, Opti RWB, ILCA and C420) to hone their competitive edge. Personal boats are NOT required - VYBA will provide a designated boat and equipment for the school year. The Sailors will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the equipment to the Venice Youth Boating Association standards. Please see the parent handbook for important information.

parent handbook 2025-26.pdf

OPTI GREEN FLEET

First Year Competitive Sailors Ages 8-14

This fleet of sailors are in their first year of competition. They race in the International Optimist Dinghy (a single-handed sailboat) against other beginner racers. This fleet is fun, full of learning opportunities, and a great introduction to the competitive world of sailing! Sailors practice twice a week and learn how to handle a racecourse, understand race documents, and sail in a variety of conditions to build their skill set. This fleet is based on building teamwork, sportsmanship and learning in all about the aet of racing.

REGISTER FOR OPTI GREEN FLEET HERE

OPTI RWB FLEET
Competitive Sailors Ages 9-14
This fleet of sailors have raced in the International Optimist Dinghy (a single-handed sailboat) for at least a year.  RWB SAILORS SHOULD HAVE SAILED IN AT LEAST THREE REGATTAS BEFORE MOVING UP FROM GREEN FLEET AND COMPLETED RACES IN THOSE REGATTAS!   Please discuss with your Coach or Director before registering for RWB.  The three designations within this fleet are:
White Fleet: Ages 10 and Under
Blue Fleet: Ages 11-12
Red Fleet: Ages 13-15
Sailors competing on the RWB level will find tougher competition and more challenging courses. It’s a rewarding fleet full of amazing opportunities that can extend to an international scale. 

ILCA FLEET

Single Handed Sailors Ages 13+

The ILCA Class dinghy is raced competitively by men and women all over the globe. This boat has a large following with national and international regattas. As well as a strong following amongst lighter weight sailors, the ILCA is also used for youth and women's racing.  The ILCA Class is best for sailors in the 110 to 140lb range and is often the next step for sailors ready to move out of the Opti class.  Sailors should have experience with Opti Green / RWB before moving to Lasers.

The ILCA is a developmental team at VYBA that practices one day a week. 

REGISTER FOR THE ILCA DEVELOPMENT TEAM

CLUB 420 FLEET – CAMPBELL FLEET
Competitive Sailors Ages 13+
This boat requires 2 people to sail it and has three sails: the main, the jib, and the spinnaker. In many ways, C420s are the junior version of the International 470 which competes in the Olympics. The name comes from 4.20 meters, the length of the boat. This fleet is fun, fast, and rigorous. Sailors learn to work with a teammate as skipper and crew to control all three sails and make use of the trapeze. The C420 is a boat commonly seen in competitive college teams too. 

Please see our Policies and Procedures Documents pages for parent and sailor information on our programs including waivers, virus prevention policies and safety information.

8th - 12th Grade

The Venice High School Club Sailing team accepts sailors from all experience levels!  It is recommended that anyone interested take the High School Sailing Intro course in the Summer.  As a club sport at VHS we are open to any VHS student, local private high schools, and homeschooled high schoolers that wishes to join and we look forward to having you join us on the water. We have one practice a week and compete at 7 different regattas (competitions) over the school year! Our VHS Team also boasts a Development Team for 8th grade sailors still developing their skills in the sport.