Youth Teams - Clearwater Community Sailing Center

HomeYouth Teams

Green Fleet

RWB Fleets

420 Team

Windsurfing Team

STEM Team

Green Fleet: The Opti Green Fleet is for kids ages 8-13 who are new to sailing and would like to learn how to race. Sailors learn the basics of sailing optis, including sail trim, boathandling, starts, and basic strategy. Before joining the team sailors generally have completed 1 to 2 weeks of Summer Camp. The team practices twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30-12:30pm. Once a child has been in Green Fleet for a year they are moved up to the Red, White & Blue Fleet (RWB)

Coach: Evan Thomas

Red, White, and Blue Fleet: The Opti RWB Race Team is for experienced sailors who are ready to compete at the highest level and are under 15 years of age. The Optimist Race Team competes in many local events, but also prepares sailors for National and International Optimist events, focusing on advanced boat handling and tactics. The sailors become exposed to a strong team atmosphere in which sailors are working hard both on and off the water as well as doing physical training. Sailors on the Race Team are highly recommended to purchase their own Optimist or race sail.

Coach: Mateo Rodriguez

420 Development Team: This team is for sailors over the age of 14 who want to learn how to race. Sailors will learn the basics of the 420 sailboat including sail trim, boathandling, starts, and basic strategy.

420 Race Team: This team is for sailors graduating from either the RWB Opti Class or Development team. This is for the most competive of sailors who want to master doublehanded sailing and compete at the highest levels. Sailors learn how to trapeze and sail with spinnakers. Many sailors who have graduated from our 420 Race Team have gone on to compete at various college programs.

Coaches: Justin Ahearn, Mateo Rodriguez, Alex Temko

Windsurfing development team: Our Windsurfing development team is made of local middle and high school students who compete regionally and nationally. Windsurfing is harder on beginners, but once basic skills have been mastered it can be very rewarding. Generally windsurfers should be over 80 lbs. During the school year this team meets Thursdays 4:00-7:00 PM and Sundays 1:00-4:30 PM.

Coach: Alex Temko

Windsurfing Foil Team: Our Windsurf foil team is one of the most competitive in the country. They meet 3 times a week on a "when there is wind basis". CCSC Windsurfers have gone on to qualify and represent the US at the Youth World Championships, Pan-American Games, and most recently the Paris 2024 Olympics among other events.

Coach: Justin Ahearn

Stem Team: Our STEM team is for the casual sailor who just wants to have fun on the water. Focuses inlude teaching sailing through a lens of science, technology, engineering, and math. Sailors can expect to sail around and explore Clearwater bay's islands and sandbars. Activities may include, time capsules, treasure hunts, mangrove cleanup, relay races, and more.

Coach: Evan Thomas