International Optimist
If your child likes sailing by themselves then the Optimist would be a great class to get into. An Optimist can be sailed at a beginner level through to World Championship level. There are a total of 1800 registered boats in Australia. The International Optimist consists of a sprit rig, hull and boards.
Recommended sailor weight : 35 – 55 kgs
Recommended sailor height : < 150 cms
Class association website : Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Association
Price guide : $1500 good used condition. $4500 brand new.
Places to purchase : Facebook Buy-Sell Optimist Sailing
Click here for the Junior Development Squad coaching programs
SYC Class REPRESENTATIVE
Rachel Griffith 0400 261 522
International Cadet
An International Cadet is an international recognised junior double handed boat. The Cadet can also be sailed at varying abilities from beginner level to World Championship level. A Cadet is a good example of how children can be taught by their peers – a uniqueness of the class is that a younger sailor is generally the crew and an older more experienced sailor is the skipper. There are 42 registered boats in Victoria and 85 registered in Australia.
Recommended skipper weight : 40 – 55 kgs
Recommended skipper height : < 170 cms
Recommended crew weight : 30 – 45 kgs
Recommended crew height : < 150 cms
Recommended combined weight : 70 – 100 kgs
Class association website : 6th Fleet
Click here for the Junior Development Squad coaching programs
SYC Class REPRESENTATIVE
David Suda 0412 123 456
ILCA
The ILCA Dinghy (formerly known as the laser) is an internationally recognised class and perhaps the most popular sailing dinghy in the world. It is an Olympic class for both men and women. It offers entry level sailing right up to adult elite competition at an affordable price. It is pure one design racing. There are over 200,000 boats registered worldwide, and almost every OTB club will have a laser fleet of some description. Sandringham is the training hub for the Victorian Laser Association.
The are three rigs, ILCA 4, ILCA6 and ILCA7
The ICLA4 (formerly laser 4.7) is a suitable transition for sailors who have transitioned from the junior classes due to age or weight.
Recommended Skipper weight: 45 – 65kg
The ILCA6 is the womens Olympic class, and many youths use it as transition to the ILCA7. In addition there is a healthy fleet of Masters sailors in VIC.
Recommended skipper weight 65-80kg
The ILCA7 is the mens Olympic class
Recommended skipper weight 80kg+
Click here for the Junior Development Squad coaching programs
SYC Class REPRESENTATIVE
Andrew Crawshaw 0425 832 462