At Big Blue Sailing Academy, we provide professional instruction, racing and coaching in a team atmosphere in ILCA 4/6 (Laser 4.7 & Radials) for dedicated and experienced youth sailors in the Chesapeake Bay region. If you're an enthusiastic athlete and experienced sailor between the ages of 13-18, let's get to work!
Weekly training will include boat handling, boat speed, sail trim, one design tactics and strategy, video analysis, and age-appropriate conditioning and fitness. Other topics will include nutrition, event preparation, weather strategy, and mental focus.
Past participants have successfully matriculated into the most competive collegiate sailing teams.
For 2024, we are returning to with normal training sessions scheduled at the Old Dominion Univesity Sailing Center, rather than alternating with Hampton Yacht Club.
Click our registration links below to register to be an Elite Sailor!
Registration Forms
Register for our Elite Training Sessions Now!
Attendance is limited to 10 Sailors.
Elite Coaches
Mitch Brindley: Program Director and Head Coach
Morgan Collins: Assistant Director and Coach
Tyler Colvin: Technical Director and Coach
Dreugh Phillips: High Performance Laser Coach
Facilities
Rigging, launching, and most instruction takes place at the Old Dominion University Sailing Center during the Big Blue Sailing weeks.
Hampton Yacht Club has partnered with Big Blue Sailing Academy for our amazing summer race training!
Boat storage will be available and limited charters will be available from Old Dominion University Sailing.
Pricing
The preseason, 3 day session is $180
Two-week clinics are $800 each.
If availability exists, sailors may register on a weekly basis at $425 per week.
Full Season (8 weeks) registration $2900. ($300 savings)
To charter a Laser, Big Blue Sailing Academy charges the sailor $150 per week. There are a limited number of boats available.
Additional daily regatta coaching fees and travel expenses may apply for the travel group attending out of area events coached by Big Blue Sailing Academy coaches.
Eligibility
The University and NCAA regulations prohibit limiting the attendance in any way based on skill level. The only permissible limitations on attendance are number, age, grade level and/or gender.
Schedules
Actual training dates will vary based on regatta travel schedule. Sailors are encouraged to participate in travel regattas as part of the Big BlueSailing Academy / Race Team. The day after a regatta will normally be a day-off.
For 2024, we will return with all normal training sessions at the Old Dominion University Sailing Center.
Classes Schedule
Great for those moving into the laser (ILCA) from Opti, high school sailing, or other class.
June 22-23 racing at FBYC, NYCC JR June 25, HYC 27-28
SSA July 1, AYC July 2, No training on July 4.
Possible regatta - Maryland State Championships
Race Schedule
New Bedford Yacht Club, New Bedford, MA
Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA
Fishing Bay Yacht Club
Rodger Williams University
Norfolk Yacht and Country Club
Roger Williams University
Hampton Yacht Club
Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD
Annapolis Yacht Club
Baltimore County Sailing Center
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA
Fishing Bay Yacht Club
Norfolk Yacht and Country Club
Hampton Yacht Club
Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD
Annapolis Yacht Club
Baltimore County Sailing Center
New Bedford Yacht Club, New Bedford, MA
Rodger Williams University
Roger Williams University
Wrightsville Beach, NC