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, Vakaros Sailing Data, event preparation, weather strategy, and mental focus.
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
Pierce Brindley: High Performance ILCA 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, 5 day session is $220
Two-week clinics are $840 each.
If availability exists, sailors may register on a weekly basis at $450 per week.
Full Season (8 weeks) registration $3000.
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 Blue Sailing Academy / Race Team. The day after a regatta will normally be a day-off.
Classes Schedule
Great for those moving into the laser (ILCA) from Opti, high school sailing, or other class.
Atlantic Coast Championships, Charleston, SC June 12-14, 2026
June 20-21 racing at FBYC Junior Annual, June 23 NYCC Junior Annual, June 25-26
MD State Champs @ WSC June 29, AYC Junior Annual Regatta June 30, Sandy McVicker at SSA June 31
SAYRA Regatta at Carolina Yacht Club, Wrightsville Beach, NC TBD
Race Schedule
Norfolk Yacht and Country Club
Corpus Christi Yacht Club
Carolina Yacht Club, Charleston, SC
Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA
Hampton Yacht Club
Hampton Yacht Club
West River Sailing Club
Annapolis Yacht Club
Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD
Corpus Christi Yacht Club
Wrightsville Beach, NC
Norfolk Yacht and Country Club
Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA
Hampton Yacht Club
Hampton Yacht Club
West River Sailing Club
Annapolis Yacht Club
Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD
Corpus Christi Yacht Club
Carolina Yacht Club, Charleston, SC
Corpus Christi Yacht Club
Wrightsville Beach, NC
