SUMMER 2025 Registration is open!
Our 2025 summer of fun-based instruction begins June 23 and continues for eight weeks. Classes use RS Quests and 420s owned by Buzzards Sailing School (BSS) and a combination of school-owned and privately-owned Optimist dinghies. BSS requires a minimum of two weeks of enrollment (with the exception of the RS Quest classes). Financial assistance is available for local children, please email for further information.
Click HERE to learn about our fleet
Safety is a top priority at BSS. BSS limits class sizes in order to foster safety and provide high-quality instruction for students to master sailing skills. Staff has American Red Cross Certification in First Aid and CPR. Classes are held on the water, and for many sailors without instructors in their boats. Sailors in RS Quest and 420s are paired with other sailors. Opti sailors sail alone. Any student who is not able to swim, tread water, nor comfortable in the water should not register. BSS relies on parents and/or guardians to inform us of swimming limitations and behavior such as anxiety, nervousness, reluctance to engage with others socially, etc.
Please read the class descriptions below, and contact the Program Director if you are in doubt. It is very important that sailors are placed into the appropriate class prior to summer. Please note that if your student participated in Buzzards Sailing School last summer, you should have a class recommenation on your sailor evaluation form.
One-week minimum enrollment.
If this is your sailor’s first time sailing, we require Intro RS Quest. This is our largest class with an emphasis on fun! Intro RS Quest classes have two to five students per boat along with a Junior Instructor and are geared towards students aged 7-13. As our most popular class, there will typically be four to seven RS Quest sailing each morning. Classes start with land-based games and a lesson plan, followed by 1 1/2 to 2 hours of sailing. Sailors learn rigging, boat part names, points of sail, sail trim, and steering. On-water classes consist of sailing, playing games, excursions to Bassetts Island, swimming, and more. More skilled sailors may be introduced to spinnaker handling. RS Quests are suitable for students of all weights and heights. All sailors must be able to swim, tread water, and be comfortable in the water, but prior boating experience is not required.
Two-week minimum enrollment.
The best class for young students with sailing experience and the desire and confidence to sail alone. Classes start with land-based games and a lesson plan, followed by rigging instruction on land. Sailors then launch and sail to the Mill Pond or into the Bay where they play games, refine sailing techniques, swim, and sometimes journey to Bassetts Island. This class typically has 9 to 14 sailors aged 9 to 12. Optis are small boats; if your student is taller than 5′ 3″ or weighs more than 100 pounds, we recommend one of our RS Quest or 420 classes, depending upon skill level.
Green Fleet – our introductory racing class. This takes place during our Intro Opti Class. Sailors are selected to participate depending upon skill, interest, and number of weeks enrolled. There is age and skill-level appropriate racing at Unkie Cups and the Beverly Junior Regatta. For more information, please contact the Program Director.
Two-week minimum enrollment.
Intro 420 is taught in Club 420s, which are high-performance racing dinghies. Prior sailing experience is required and this class is not a course for beginning or small/lightweight sailors.
Sailors need an understanding of basic sailing terminology and must be able to handle the boat through all points of sail. The course builds on basic sailing skills while focusing on the specific demands of a 420. Trapezes and spinnakers may be introduced to eligible sailors. Most classes combine sailing instruction, games/fun time, and a swim.
To register, sailors must contact the Program Director to discuss their experience.
One-week minimum enrollment
This is a fun and non-competitive class for sailors eager to explore the joy of sailing in Buzzards Bay! Students with some previous sailing experience, including those who have previously taken AM Widgeon or AM RS Quest at BSS, are eligible for this class. The class may also be suitable for beginner students aged twelve and older. This class places a greater emphasis on optimal boat handling as well as an introduction to racing as appropriate. Spinnaker handling can be taught. one of the advantages of the RS Quest. This class sails in the afternoon when the winds are higher so sailors should be comfortable with a boat heeling and potentially capsizing. Instructors do not join students in the boats. Participation in the Friday Morning Junior Racing Series is encouraged for interested sailors.
All-day Options - families interested in an all-day option can combine one of our morning classes with Afternoon Adventures RS Quest (which is significantly discounted for such sailors). Sailors will bring their own lunches, which can be stored in the Clubhouses' refrigerator. Lunch will be eaten together at the Clubhouse followed by games and sailing-related videos. Eligible sailors include; Intro Opti and Green Fleet sailors eager to sail with others and experience a multi-person boat with a main, jib, and spinnaker. Intro Widgeon sailors may be eligible to participate in the Afternoon Adventures RS Quest, depending upon skill level and Adventure RS Quest participation levels (to ensure good boat pairings). Intro 420 sailors may enjoy sailing in afternoon winds with a larger group of friends.
Two-week minimum enrollment.
The afternoon Opti class is designed for competent Opti sailors between the ages of 10 and 14 interested in racing. Classes will focus on refining Opti race skills including roll tacks and gybes, optimal sail trim, proper hiking technique, race tactics, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to race actively: Friday Morning Junior Racing Series, Unkie Cups (held at nearby Buzzards Bay clubs), Beverly Junior Regatta, New Bedford Yacht Club Junior Regatta, Scituate Junior Regatta, Wianno Opti Regatta, etc.
420 Race Team Coach, Lourdes Hartkopf, will run multiple Opti Clinics throughout the summer, included in the registration cost.
Approval by the Program Director is required for registration.
Two-week minimum enrollment.
This class is led by Argentinian 470 Olympian Lourdes Hartkopf, who is returning for her third summer. It is for intermediate and advanced 420 sailors who are looking to improve their sailing and racing skills. Sailors range from 13 to 18 years of age and have sufficient weight and strength to sail this high-performance dinghy. Instruction is geared towards racing and preparing sailors for a number of skill-appropriate regattas including: Beverly Junior Regatta, Edgartown Yacht Club Jr. Regatta, Friday Morning Junior Racing Series, Gill Trophy, SMSA Team Racing Championships, VHYC Jr. Regatta, and the Wild Harbor Invite.
Learning focuses on advanced boat handling, hiking, trapezing, roll tacking/gybing, flying spinnakers, and racing rules. Instruction includes skills needed for both skipper and crew, with emphasis on teamwork
Sailors must have previously sailed in LTS 420s for a minimum of four weeks or have Program Director approval.
One-week minimum enrollment
This is a fun and non-competitive class for sailors eager to explore the joy of sailing in Buzzards Bay! Students with some previous sailing experience, including those who have previously taken AM Widgeon or AM RS Quest at BSS, are eligible for this class. The class may also be suitable for beginner students aged twelve and older. This class places a greater emphasis on optimal boat handling as well as an introduction to racing as appropriate. Spinnaker handling can be taught. one of the advantages of the RS Quest. This class sails in the afternoon when the winds are higher so sailors should be comfortable with a boat heeling and potentially capsizing. Instructors do not join students in the boats. Participation in the Friday Morning Junior Racing Series is encouraged for interested sailors.
All-day Options - families interested in an all-day option can combine one of our morning classes with Afternoon Adventures RS Quest (which is significantly discounted for such sailors). Sailors will bring their own lunches, which can be stored in the Clubhouses' refrigerator. Lunch will be eaten together at the Clubhouse followed by games and sailing-related videos. Eligible sailors include; Intro Opti and Green Fleet sailors eager to sail with others and experience a multi-person boat with a main, jib, and spinnaker. Intro Widgeon sailors may be eligible to participate in the Afternoon Adventures RS Quest, depending upon skill level and Adventure RS Quest participation levels (to ensure good boat pairings). Intro 420 sailors may enjoy sailing in afternoon winds with a larger group of friends.
Two-week minimum enrollment.
The afternoon Opti class is designed for competent Opti sailors between the ages of 10 and 14 interested in racing. Classes will focus on refining Opti race skills including roll tacks and gybes, optimal sail trim, proper hiking technique, race tactics, and more. Participants will have the opportunity to race actively: Friday Morning Junior Racing Series, Unkie Cups (held at nearby Buzzards Bay clubs), Beverly Junior Regatta, New Bedford Yacht Club Junior Regatta, Scituate Junior Regatta, Wianno Opti Regatta, etc.
420 Race Team Coach, Lourdes Hartkopf, will run multiple Opti Clinics throughout the summer, included in the registration cost.
Approval by the Program Director is required for registration.
Two-week minimum enrollment.
This class is led by Argentinian 470 Olympian Lourdes Hartkopf, who is returning for her third summer. It is for intermediate and advanced 420 sailors who are looking to improve their sailing and racing skills. Sailors range from 13 to 18 years of age and have sufficient weight and strength to sail this high-performance dinghy. Instruction is geared towards racing and preparing sailors for a number of skill-appropriate regattas including: Beverly Junior Regatta, Edgartown Yacht Club Jr. Regatta, Friday Morning Junior Racing Series, Gill Trophy, SMSA Team Racing Championships, VHYC Jr. Regatta, and the Wild Harbor Invite.
Learning focuses on advanced boat handling, hiking, trapezing, roll tacking/gybing, flying spinnakers, and racing rules. Instruction includes skills needed for both skipper and crew, with emphasis on teamwork
Sailors must have previously sailed in LTS 420s for a minimum of four weeks or have Program Director approval.
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