Fall 2026 Youth Racing Clinics
We are updating the schedule for fall 2026 so please check back here after March 1st for modified dates and registration information.
Optimist Green Fleet Clinic for Novice Racers
This is an introductory class designed to teach young capable sailors the foundations of racing sailboats. This 2-full-day clinic will build on the skills learned over the summer and put an emphasis on boat speed, more advanced boathandling, and some of the rules and processes needed to begin racing. This clinic will be led by Amy Gross Kehoe, and experienced Optimist who has had success in guiding many great sailors in their early days of racing. Charter boats are available through registration ($150/clinic).
Dates, Times, Fees
TBA
Optimist Intermediate Race Training
This program is designed to take experienced racers and build their confidence and skills to begin competing at a higher level. We hope to accommodate a range of sailors – from a green fleeter to champ fleeters already racing well at the regional level – and help them step up their game. The Fall season will culminate with Sail Newport’s Halloween Howl Regatta, so the Sunday training days before will prepare for the regatta. Leading the group is Caden Buckly, a long-time Sail Newport Optimist Coach. Charter boats are available through registration ($75/day).
Dates, Times, Fees
TBA
RIOT & JK Sailing Advanced Optimist Clinic
Rhode Island’s Optimist Team and JK Sailing are teaming up again to bring a 2-day clinic to Sail Newport this Fall. This clinic will be geared towards dedicated champ fleet sailors with at least a full season of red, white, and blue fleet regatta experience. Luke Ingalls will be the primary coach, backed up by Caden Buckley and Nick Ewenson as needed. Scheduled the weekend before Sail Newport’s Halloween Howl Regatta, it will focus on optimist-specific tuning and boat-handling, but also tactical lessons that will translate to future classes. This is a bring-your-own boat program. Sailors not sailing with JK for the Halloween Howl are welcome to add regatta coaching for the next weekend.
Dates, Times, Fees
TBA
Advanced Optimist Regatta Coaching
Halloween Howl Regatta:
Sail Newport’s last regatta of the season is the Halloween Howl. This two-day event will be coached by RIOT veterans Caden Buckley and Amy Gross Kehoe and will certainly be a hoot!
Dates, Times, Fees
TBA
Intro to High School Sailing
This clinic is designed to teach the foundations of racing with an emphasis on sailing the high school/collegiate 420. High school and 8th grade sailors with strong sailing skills will learn intermediate boat-handling drills and techniques, along with skills to make the simplified 420 go fast around a race course. Tactics and strategy will also be introduced with an emphasis on the short-course races high school sailing is known for. Pairings will be switched each day and sailors will be expected to learn both helm and crew positions. Whether you are already sailing on a high school team or not, we hope that this clinic will be fun and worthwhile for a range of sailors.
Advanced C420 Sunday Training
This group will sail in C420s, utilizing the trapeze and spinnaker to focus on speed and big course racing. The ideal sailor for this clinic series has a minimum of one full summer of racing experience in the boat, so they have proficiency in both positions, and have the ability to race aggressively in most conditions. Sailors will come with their own boat and partner, but help on both fronts can be provided. (Reach out to Nick Ewenson before registering). Registered sailors for this training block have the option add coaching from Sail Newport during the Halloween Howl on October 25 & 26.
Dates, Times, Fees
TBA
ILCA Clinigatta
Geared for experienced High School Laser Sailors, these clinics will feature a mix of drilling and racing and aims to get sailors feeling confident going into ILCA regattas. #1 will help in the leadup to NESSA’s Healy Trophy, the New England Qualifier for the Cressy (the High School National Championship). #2 will take place just before the Halloween Howl. Kathleen Tocke will coach the clinic and sailors can expect focused sessions that teach laser-specific technique and tactics. This is a bring your own boat clinic, but a few may be available for charter.
Dates, Times, Fees
TBA
Sail Newport 29er Clinic – Powered by Skiff+
Sail Newport is teaming up with Skiff + to bring an intermediate 29er-specific clinic in late-August. Sailors should have some experience in the 29er and be relatively proficient in basic maneuvers and skiff specific skills. By collaborating with Caroline Atwood, who coaches Skiff +, sailors can expect tight practices that focus on the foundational skills and more progressive approaches that make success in the 29er class attainable. This is a bring your own boat clinic.
Dates, Times, Fees
TBA
Questions on youth racing clinics?
Contact: Nick Ewenson, Racing Programs Director
email: [email protected]
Telephone: (401) 846-1983