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, Vakaros Sailing Data, event preparation, weather strategy, and mental focus.

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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.

Big Blue Sailing Academy

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, 5 day session is $200

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 $2960. ($400 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 Blue Sailing Academy / Race Team. The day after a regatta will normally be a day-off.

For 2025, normal training sessions will be at the Old Dominion University Sailing Center.

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Classes Schedule

6/9/25
-
6/13/25
1:30 - 5:30
Session:
Preseason
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$ 200
Notes:

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

6/16/25
-
6/27/25
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
1
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$840
Notes:

June 21-22 racing at FBYC Junior Annual, June 24 NYCC Junior Annual, June 26-27

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6/30/25
-
7/11/25
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
2
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$840
Notes:

AYC Junior Annual Regatta July 1, Sandy McVicker at SSA July 2

7/14/25
-
7/25/25
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
3
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$840
Notes:

Possible regatta: MD State Champs at Rock Hall, MD

7/28/25
-
8/8/25
1:00 - 6:00
Session:
4
Location:
ODU Sailing Center
Price:
$840
Notes:

ILCA Nationals Oyster Bay, NY July 27-29; SAYRA Regatta at Carolina Yacht Club, Wrightsville Beach, NC Aug 3-4

ILCA Canadian National Championship, Buffalo Canoe Club, Ridgeway, ON, Aug 14-17

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Race Schedule

All
CBYRA
Other
6/12/25
-
6/15/25
ILCA North American's
Location:

ABYC Long Beach, CA

Notes:
6/21/25
-
6/22/25
Fishing Bay Yacht Club Annual Junior Regatta
Location:

Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA

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

Norfolk Yacht and Country Club

Notes:
6/26/25
-
6/27/25
Commonwealth Cup
Location:

Hampton Yacht Club

Notes:
6/26/25
-
6/27/25
Hampton Yacht Club Jr Annual
Location:

Hampton Yacht Club

Notes:
7/1/25
-
Annapolis Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta
Location:

Annapolis Yacht Club

Notes:
7/2/25
-
Sandy McVicker Regatta
Location:

Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD

Notes:
7/7/25
-
7/11/25
US Sailing Junior Womens Championships
Location:

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, MI

Notes:
7/24/25
-
7/25/25
Maryland State Champs
Location:

Rock Hall Yacht Club

Notes:
7/27/25
-
7/29/25
ILCA US National Championship
Location:

Seawanhaka Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY

Notes:
8/2/25
-
8/3/25
CYCNC SAYRA Youth Regatta
Location:

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Notes:
6/21/25
-
6/22/25
Fishing Bay Yacht Club Annual Junior Regatta
Location:

Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, VA

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

Norfolk Yacht and Country Club

Notes:
6/26/25
-
6/27/25
Commonwealth Cup
Location:

Hampton Yacht Club

Notes:
6/26/25
-
6/27/25
Hampton Yacht Club Jr Annual
Location:

Hampton Yacht Club

Notes:
7/1/25
-
Annapolis Yacht Club Junior Annual Regatta
Location:

Annapolis Yacht Club

Notes:
7/2/25
-
Sandy McVicker Regatta
Location:

Severn Sailing Association, Annapolis, MD

Notes:
7/24/25
-
7/25/25
Maryland State Champs
Location:

Rock Hall Yacht Club

Notes:
6/12/25
-
6/15/25
ILCA North American's
Location:

ABYC Long Beach, CA

Notes:
7/7/25
-
7/11/25
US Sailing Junior Womens Championships
Location:

Macatawa Bay Yacht Club, MI

Notes:
7/27/25
-
7/29/25
ILCA US National Championship
Location:

Seawanhaka Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY

Notes:
8/2/25
-
8/3/25
CYCNC SAYRA Youth Regatta
Location:

Wrightsville Beach, NC

Notes: