The 2025 Season Schedule

Instructional Classes, Opti and 420

• Schedule: Each one-week, full-day session runs Monday through Thursday, 9:15 AM to 4:15 PM.
• Early Bird Tuition: $595 per session, available from Monday, February 10 through Monday, March 31.
• Regular Tuition: $625 per session (applies after March 31).
• Multiple-Session Discount: If your sailor registers for two or more sessions after the Early Bird period, all of those sessions will qualify for the same Early Bird rate.

Race Classes, Opti and 420

• Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 1:15 PM to 4:15 PM (Fridays reserved for regattas, which are included in the tuition).
• Regular Tuition: $315 per session. (minimum two sessions)
• Full-Season Discount: Racers who register for the 7-week season will receive a 5% discount.
• Detail: All sailors must be approved by the head race coach before registering for Race Classes.

Note on Marblehead Junior Race Week (MJRW):

• MJRW requires a separate registration on Clubspot for all sailors participating in the IJS Opti and Race Team.
• Entry will open July 1st for eligible sailors.
• MJRW will take place from July 20 to July 24.
• Tuition is $385, which includes three days of coaching.

Additional Details

• Scholarships: We offer scholarship opportunities to ensure our program remains accessible to all. For more information or to apply, please visit our Scholarship Application page.
• Payment Methods: All payments are processed through Clubspot and can be made by credit card or ACH bank transfer. A 2.9% processing fee applies to credit card payments; ACH payments are free.
• Refund Policy: All payments are final, and we do not issue refunds.

Please be on time. You should plan to drop off your sailor at the Ipswich Bay Yacht Club (Quay Rd., Ipswich, MA 01938) 10-15 minutes prior to the start of class. We will begin promptly at 9:15 AM and pickup after class is at 4:15 PM for full-day sessions. Race class will begin at 1:15 PM, and pickup is at 4:15 PM.

We use the IBYC member launch to transport sailors from our floating docks to the lawn for pickup. On busy days at the club, there are sometimes short delays with the launch returning sailors to shore. Our instructors work with yacht club staff and make every effort to be timely. We appreciate your understanding.

Your sailor should be prepared to get wet! On the first day of class, there is a swim check. Sailors will be asked to jump off the sailing dock, put on their life jacket, and swim along the dock a short distance. The purpose of this drill is to ensure each sailor is comfortable in the salt water.

1. PFD (Life Jacket) – A properly fitted, US Coast Guard approved PFD is required for participation.
2. Closed Toe Shoes – We recommend Crocs, Keens, or a similar shoe that is designed to get wet and dry quickly.
3. Sunscreen – Please apply at home before class.
4. Hat and Sunglasses – All glasses should have keepers to avoid being lost overboard.
5. Sailing Clothes – Sailing is a water sport – expect to get wet!! In warm weather a swimsuit with a tee shirt and shorts is fine. In cool, rainy or windy weather, a windbreaker or light rain jacket is necessary; light rain pants are recommended on heavier rain days. Synthetic shirts, shorts, and warm layers are also helpful – avoid cotton. Please pack an extra pair of dry clothes to be kept on land.
6. Lunch – (Full Day Sailors Only) Bring a lunch to enjoy between sessions on the water. Please pack a nut-free lunch due to common food allergies.
7. Water and a Snack (all sailors) – Bring plenty of water – it gets hot! Please pack a reusable water bottle for your sailor. Please pack a nut-free snack.
8. Towel and a change of clothes
9. Insect Repellent for days when the bugs are bad.
10. Small Duffel or Backpack – Plastic bins are provided to hold student packs and duffels on shore.

Please do not bring money or valuables. If a sailor decides to bring a cellphone, it will be kept on land in the sailor’s personal bag. IJS is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

On select Friday mornings (9:15-12:15) there will be supervised Free Sail open to all IJS sailors who have completed at least one week in the current season. There is limited availability in these sessions. Sailors planning to attend the Friday Free Sail must sign up in advance. Sign-up emails will be sent out according to availability, and priority will be given to sailors in the current session. Instructors and staff will be present for safety and direction; however no instructed learning will be delivered.

On some Fridays we will compete in local regattas with other youth sailing programs in the Cape Ann area. This may affect our ability to offer Free Sail.

Yes. Class will be held rain or shine. In the event of thunderstorms, IJS runs an integrated onshore and offshore nautical skills program. When unable to sail due to unsafe waters or weather, we will run our onshore nautical program. Activities, such as games and races are planned to be age appropriate and fun. Our. onshore curriculum is designed to be engaging and teach sailors concepts including Simple Mechanics of Boats, Buoyancy & Flotation, Chart & Map Reading, Knot Tying, & Environmental Impact. If cancellation is deemed necessary, you will be notified (via email) before 8 am that day of class (or before if possible).

In the unlikely event that the weather was to significantly and unpredictably worsen over the morning to the degree that material safety issues necessitated the cancellation of the afternoon class, you will be notified as quickly as possible.  In such an event, we will try to provide makeup arrangements.

Ipswich Junior Sailing (IJS) is a separate organization from Ipswich Bay Yacht Club.

We appreciate that the IBYC shares its property with IJS and we respect the IBYC rules:

• Use of the yacht club house and waterfront is limited to IBYC members and their guests
• IJS parking should be at the top of the lot (near the road). This includes during drop-off and pick-up.
• Students should store their belongings neatly in plastic tubs found under the tree or under the tents in bad weather.
• Access to the clubhouse bathrooms is controlled by IJS staff
• Bikes should be stored in the bike rack.

We strive to be respectful of the club’s property and the IBYC members and appreciate your cooperation in this effort.