FOSSC Junior Club & Junior Racing
Junior Club & Junior Racing
Junior Club is our monthly sailing session designed especially for young sailors of all abilities. Its a relaxed, friendly way for juniors to get out on the water, build confidence, learn new skills, and have fun with friends.
Whether your child is brand new to sailing or already racing, Junior Club offers a safe, supportive environment with plenty of games, challenges, and onthewater activities (or landbased fun if the weather isnt playing ball). We often have anywhere between 6 and 16 boats on the water - depending on the weather and what else is going on!
When Does Junior Club Run?
Junior Club takes place once a month, usually on a Saturday afternoon (most often the 3rd Saturday, but not always).
For exact dates and times, please check the FOSSC Calendar. There's also a Parents' WhatsApp group we can sign you up to for ease of communication - just ask when you attend!
What to Expect
- Fun, structured sessions led by experienced volunteers
- On-the-water games and skill-building activities
- A safe, supportive environment for all abilities
- Use of club boats (first-come, first-served, Parents will need to help to rig the boats and store away at the end) or your own boat
- A chance to meet other juniors and become part of the FOSSC community
Parents are welcome to stay and help, stay and chill (or catch up with some admin) at the clubhouse, or use our simple sign-in/sign-out system & contact form for drop-and-run.
Who Can Join?
Junior Club is open to all junior members, from complete beginners to confident sailors. If your child is new to sailing, this is a great place to start. If they're already training or racing, its a brilliant way to practise skills in a fun, low-pressure setting.
Related Junior Activities
Junior Club is just one part of our thriving junior programme. You might also be interested in:
- Junior Training — RYA recognised courses for ages 7-18
- Junior Racing & Rookie Racing — friendly racing for developing sailors (see below!)
- Junior Week — our legendary summer week of sailing, games, camping, and team fun
- Friday Night Social Sailing — relaxed family sailing throughout the summer
- Winter Board Games Club — a cosy way to stay connected off the water in winter
- A Parents' WhatsApp group and Moderated Junior WhatsApp Group — to keep in touch and find out who's sailing
- Bank Holiday Weekenders — family-friendly events throughout the year
Keep up with what's happening at the club (for Juniors and adults!) over on our FOSSC Facebook Group
Questions?
If you'd like to know more about Junior Club or how to get involved, please contact Mark Carver - if you don't know him/have his number you can email j w @ fossc.org.uk (spaces added so we're hopefully not flooded with spam!) and ask to be put in touch.
Junior Racing Series
For the more serious Junior there is also the opportunity to race in your own series. Whilst Juniors are more than welcome to enter any race at the club they are often put off by some competitive adults, so we run junior only races to help them build confidence. The Junior series which starts towards the end of the Junior training is an excellent opportunity to compete with other kids and even win some silverware. Keep an eye on the FOSSC Calendar for the Junior and Rookie racing on a Sunday!
The Junior series usually starts in the Summer, but there are a few other Junior specific races at other times in the year, and at the Bank Holiday Weekender events, often following the same course and starting just a few minutes after the senior race (so you have boats to follow!). Feel free to join in the Rookie series part way through, or join the adult races, if you feel confident enough. There will be people who are happy to help if you let them know you are a beginner. Good luck racing!
QUICK GUIDE TO RACING
1. Arrive early to rig your boat
2. Sign on to the race sheet
3. Know the course start line, order of the buoys and if you round on Port or Starboard
4. Know when you are going to start (type of race and start procedure, start line, countdown, flags and signals to watch)
5. First leg will always be upwind. (beam reach along the start line, avoid collisions and pull your sails in for a close reach first leg when the race starts .. .all about timing and deciding where you want to be at the start)
6. Follow the course as efficiently and as fast as you can (watch the rules of road + a few for racing)
7. Know when the race has finished and if you need to cross the line.
Don't forget - we offer Race Training too - Click Here to find out more!
Duke of Edinburgh
The club has supported a few junior members in their endeavours to gain their DofE award. In the past Juniors have signed up to helping out with the Sailability mornings throughout the summer season. If you are interested in undertaking the volunteering aspect for your DofE award please speak to Mark Carver - if you don't know him/have his number you can email j w @ fossc.org.uk (spaces added so we're hopefully not flooded with spam!) and ask to be put in touch.
Beyond Youth Sailing Stage 4...
Once you have completed your level 4 training you have the option to help with training aspects at the club. Helping with training may allow you to become an Assitant Instructor (AI). This award is given by the clubs Chief Instructor and is based on a minimum of 20 hours helping with training in the early part of a season along with a 1/2 days session later in the season to demonstrate your sailing ability up to YSS level 4. A short presentation on a sail training topic is also required.
Having gained the AI status you are free to help out with training at the club, under supervision of a trained Dinghy Instructor(DI). Once you achieve AI status you may be invited to undertake the RYA Dinghy Instructor program. This entails some pre-evaluation, a 5 day course, safety boat L2 and first Aid qualifications Lots to do but a great qualification that you can then use at the club to train others and support Junior Week (If you're aged 17+).