Frequently Asked Questions:

    What sort of gear do students need to bring to class?
    Students should dress with this fact in mind: you will go in the water, almost every day. We have a few loaner life jackets, but students should bring their own. Do not bring gas-filled, self inflating PFDs. Dress for cold, wet weather. Knit hats are a must, and some like sailing or diving gloves. Dress in layers, with long sleeves and pants, polypro preferably, try to avoid cotton. Drysuits do not protect your feet, so bring closed-toe shoes (no sandals or rubber boots) that can get wet, and warm socks to wear wet on the water, as well as dry socks and shoes for the end of the day. Avoid jewelry and other items that can get caught on gear.
    When do classes meet?
    Morning classes start at 8:15 and end at 11:45. Please drop your child off no earlier than 8:00 and pick them up by 12:00. JYSailing cannot be responsible for students outside these times.
    Afternoon classes start at 1:15 and end at 4:45. Please drop your child off no earlier than 1:00 and pick them up by 5:00. JYSailing cannot be responsible for students outside these times.
    Long-day Level 2/3 mixed classes start at 9:00 and end at 3:00. Please drop your child off no earlier than 8:45 and pick them up by 3:15. Please send your child with a hearty lunch.
    I need to cancel, can I get a refund?
    JYSailing provides full refunds up to one week in advance of your class's start date (let us know by the end of business the Monday before the first day). Past this time, refunds are not offered. If you need to cancel, please send us an e-mail as soon as possible. Refunds will be credited to your credit card.
    My child doesn’t want to go to the rest of his/her classes, can I get a refund?
    Refunds are not offered after the Monday preceding the start of class.
    There was no wind, can I get a refund?
    No. Wind conditions are variable, that’s just part of sailing. There are copious amounts of on-the-water windless sailing skills to learn, so there’s never a dull moment, even when there’s dull wind.
    My student is interested in being a Junior Instructor, who do I talk to?
    Great! Send us an e-mail and we’ll see what we can arrange. Junior instructors accompany pairs of our youngest students and help them run their boats in a safe and fun way. They are expected to be responsible instructors and prompt employees –even though junior instructors are not paid (the free sailing time is usually considered well worth it, and this is the standard mechanism for becoming a full, paid instructor).
    What if I don’t want to make a Google Checkout account?
    It's really not as onerous as it sounds. The only way this system differs from some other online payment methods is the making of a Google Checkout Account. If you use Gmail you effectively already have one, and if you don’t, Google just wants you to be able to use their system again quickly and effectively. All they want is a username and password. It’s like Amazon.
    Where do classes meet?
    At the Juneau Yacht Club on Norway point, just north of Harris Harbor (Map). Scheduling conflicts occasionally mean we have to meet at a mobile classroom nearby. If the need arises, we will let you know.
    When can I drop-off / pick-up my child?
    Please make arrangements for your child to be dropped off and picked no more than 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after class. JYSailing cannot be responsible for students outside of class times.
    Morning classes start at 8:15 and end at 11:45. Please drop your child off no earlier than 8:00 and pick them up by 12:00. JYSailing cannot be responsible for students outside these times.
    Afternoon classes start at 1:15 and end at 4:45. Please drop your child off no earlier than 1:00 and pick them up by 5:00. JYSailing cannot be responsible for students outside these times.
    Long-day Level 2/3 mixed classes start at 9:00 and end at 3:00. Please drop your child off no earlier than 8:45 and pick them up by 3:15. JYSailing cannot be responsible for students outside of class times. Please send your child with a hearty lunch.
    Did my registration go through?
    If there were no obvious website gremlin issues and Google gave you a confirmation screen and a confirmation e-mail, then let’s assume that everything worked fine. We’ll send you a reminder e-mail the week before your class starts.
    I tried to register online but it didn’t work.
    If you're using an iPad or smart phone that can cause problems, try using a computer. You'll also need cookies turned on, and a standards-compliant browser like Chrome, Firefox or Safari (or, if you insist, the latest version of Internet Explorer). If something just won't work, send us an e-mail with details and we’ll sign you up by hand.
    What are the age limits for classes?
    Juniors classes are for ages 10-11. All other students 12-18 should enroll based on their experience and skill level. The primary reason for age limits is to ensure that students have both the mental and physical capacity for sailing. The boats are fast and need to be handled responsibly, and students need to be large enough and strong enough to counterbalance their boat in high wind and to right it when it is capsized.
    What level class should my child take?
    Young children 10-11 who have never sailed should take a Juniors class. Anyone 12-18 who has little or no sailing experience should consider Level 1. Students who have taken Level 1 or who have sufficient prior experience are encouraged to take Level 2/3 Mixed. We also encourage students to take the same level class more than once. Practice make perfect, and each class’s curriculum is tailored to the students’ needs. I myself took Level Two at least four times and there was never a dull moment.
    Is there a race team this year?
    No, we don't have a race coach. We'd like to find a way to provide extra-curricular sailing opportunities, but various ideas invariably seem to meet with lackluster success rates. The effect of this is that our older students tend to drift away from the program, which is unfortunate. If you have any ideas for special sailing events, send them our way.
    Are there adult classes?
    Yes! They are all-day over a weekend. They tend to be towards the end of the summer, and will be scheduled later in the season. If you’re generally interested in the idea, let us know via e-mail and we’ll work with you on scheduling.
    I have my own boat, can I use it instead of JYS's?
    No. It’s important that we all use class-standardized, interchangeable boats.
    I have my own drysuit, can I use it instead of JYS's?
    Sure thing, we’ll just want to look it over as a standard safety check. Make sure it works, you will be going in the water.
    Is there a weight limit for students?
    Not expressly, but there is a practical limitation to how large a person and how much weight these boats can carry, and we have drysuits up to XXL, but that isn’t always large enough. In 14+ years of operation, this has only been a problem once, so you’re probably fine, but if you're concerned, shoot us an e-mail.
    What do classes cost?
    Prices increased in 2011 for the first time in more than a decade, but we still charge 50-75% less than comparable courses down south. Juniors and Level 1 are $155. Level 2/3 Mixed classes, being longer, are $200.
    Are there scholarships?
    Yes, a degree of financial aid is available in the form of the Jay Ginter Youth Sailing Scholarship. Click here to learn more.
    How can I volunteer with JYSailing?
    Ah! We love you. JYSailing is run entirely by unpaid, stressed-out volunteers who are always happy to have another set of hands. The ideal is to have people join the Board (we meet once a month) and be there when work is discussed and divided. If the idea of meetings is just more than you can bear, but you still want to give time, send us your e-mail address so we can put you in the volunteer pool when needs arise. Most commonly, we need people to be in or lead drysuit repair parties. We also rely on a large group of people showing up at the beginning and end of each season to launch the dock and boats for the Summer and bring them in for Fall. We also need responsible youth to be Junior instructors (usually, having taken Level 2 or above and earned the recommendation of an instructor is ample qualification). Anyone 16 and older can be certified as a full US Sailing instructor and get a paid position. Click here to learn more.
    Do I need to buy a drysuit?
    No, we provide the drysuits.
    Is it safe?
    It's as safe as it can be. All sports are dangerous and being on the water is an added complication. We do everything we can to mitigate these dangers, but we do require a standard liability waiver.
    How do I contact JYSailing?
    Send us an e-mail. We don’t have a phone number, since contacts are handled by a group of board members and we want a centralized system, used by everyone. Contact.
    When are planning meetings?
    Generally, the Board meets on the first Monday of every month. We do our best to publicize meetings ahead of time and put them on our calendar. All are invited.
    Is JYSailing a 501(c)(3)?
    Yes. Here’s our paperwork.