NCS Program Details

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Opti Blue is a two-week class for students who have sufficiently achieved the goals of the Opti Green class. When the lead Opti Green instructor feels a student has sufficiently achieved the goals of the Opti Green class, the student is invited to participate in our more advanced Opti Blue class. Opti Blue allows students the opportunity for truly single-handed sailing, and will focus on more advanced sailing and racing techniques (such as starting and stopping, landings, capsizing, upwind strategies, tacking and gybing, etc.) Self-sufficiency will be promoted in the Opti Blue class although instruction will remain a key component.

Every Thursday, Opti Blue sailors will join the All-Island Opti Race Team as well as intermediate classes from Nantucket Yacht Club and Great Harbor Yacht Club for an afternoon of racing. Opti Blue sailors are also invited to participate in Saturday Race Day and the Annual Jobson Cup Regatta (Wednesday, July 26, 2023), hosted by Great Harbor Yacht Club. The registration fee for the Jobson Cup is included in the registration for sailors participating in Session 3 of Opti Blue. Sailors in Session 3 are expected to sail in this event, and it will be an alternative schedule with an earlier start time for the day. Additionally, Opti Blue sailors in Session 2 will participate in the Coffin Cup in Polpis Harbor Friday, July 14, 2023. It is recommended that Opti Blue sailors sign up for as many continuous sessions as possible (4+ weeks) throughout the summer. More information about on-island racing opportunities will be communicated to Opti Blue families throughout the summer.

The next step for an Opti Blue sailor is our All-Island Opti Race Team, or alternatively, if the student is 12 years old our 420 Green class. Opti Blue students, who have significant experience, are invited to participate in the Nantucket Race Week Opti event in August.

The Opti Blue class is held at the Jetties Sailing Center Monday - Friday afternoons from 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM.

Please note: NCS recommends four weeks of Opti Blue programming for students to excel through the curricula.

On the first day of each new session, students will have a basic swim check. While life jackets are provided and required, each NCS student should be comfortable in and around the water and have basic swimming skills. Students may bring their own PFD (USCG Type III), should they choose. We ask that students wear appropriate shoes (closed-toe) when participating, Native Footwear, Keen, Crocs and old sneakers all work well. Private lessons may be also be booked on our Jetties Sailing Center website; lessons are offered Monday - Saturday.