Elite Youth Laser
Training Program

Find success in the amazing Laser / ILCA coaching staff to competitive sailors! Our world class coaches can bring your racing skills to the next level.

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

6/12/24
-
6/14/24
1:30 - 5:30
Session:
Preseason
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$ 180
Notes:

Great for those moving into the laser (ILCA) from Opti, high school sailing, or other class.

6/17/24
-
6/28/24
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
1
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$800
Notes:

June 22-23 racing at FBYC, NYCC JR June 25, HYC 27-28

7/1/24
-
7/12/24
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
2
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$800
Notes:

SSA July 1, AYC July 2, No training on July 4.

7/15/24
-
7/26/24
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
3
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$800
Notes:

Possible regatta - Maryland State Championships

7/29/24
-
8/9/24
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
4
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$800
Notes:

Race Schedule

6/6/24
-
6/9/24
ILCA North American's
Location:

New Bedford Yacht Club, New Bedford, MA

Notes:
6/22/24
-
6/26/24
Fishing Bay Yacht Club Annual Junior Regatta
Location:

Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA

Notes:
6/22/24
-
6/23/24
Commonwealth Cup
Location:

Fishing Bay Yacht Club

Notes:
6/22/24
-
6/25/24
US Sailing Youth Championship
Location:

Rodger Williams University

Notes:
6/25/24
-
NYCC Annual Junior Regatta
Location:

Norfolk Yacht and Country Club

Notes:
6/27/24
-
7/1/24
US Sailing Junior Womens Championships
Location:

Roger Williams University

Notes:
6/27/24
-
6/28/24
Hampton Yacht Club Jr Annual
Location:

Hampton Yacht Club

Notes:
7/1/24
-
Sandy McVicker Regatta
Location:

Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD

Notes:
7/2/24
-
Annapolis Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta
Location:

Annapolis Yacht Club

Notes:
7/18/24
-
7/19/24
Maryland State Champs
Location:

Baltimore County Sailing Center

Notes:
8/3/24
-
CYCNC SAYRA Youth Regatta
Location:

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Notes:
6/22/24
-
6/26/24
Fishing Bay Yacht Club Annual Junior Regatta
Location:

Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA

Notes:
6/22/24
-
6/23/24
Commonwealth Cup
Location:

Fishing Bay Yacht Club

Notes:
6/25/24
-
NYCC Annual Junior Regatta
Location:

Norfolk Yacht and Country Club

Notes:
6/27/24
-
6/28/24
Hampton Yacht Club Jr Annual
Location:

Hampton Yacht Club

Notes:
7/1/24
-
Sandy McVicker Regatta
Location:

Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD

Notes:
7/2/24
-
Annapolis Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta
Location:

Annapolis Yacht Club

Notes:
7/18/24
-
7/19/24
Maryland State Champs
Location:

Baltimore County Sailing Center

Notes:
6/6/24
-
6/9/24
ILCA North American's
Location:

New Bedford Yacht Club, New Bedford, MA

Notes:
6/22/24
-
6/25/24
US Sailing Youth Championship
Location:

Rodger Williams University

Notes:
6/27/24
-
7/1/24
US Sailing Junior Womens Championships
Location:

Roger Williams University

Notes:
8/3/24
-
CYCNC SAYRA Youth Regatta
Location:

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Notes: