Returning to the original mission

The heightened emphasis in the USA with scholastic competition conflicts with two variables that can impact the health of the sport:

• To avert attrition, exposure to different kinds of sailing helps a young person identify what they may enjoy long term.
• To promote excellence, exposure to more technical platforms improves learning.

Seeking to address these issues, the USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival program in 2022 has an updated format, returning to the original mission to capture the Olympic spirit and introduce youth sailors to their next steps in the sport.

Each festival will feature on-water boat demos and on-shore activities for youth racers to experience fast, fun, modern sailing and learn from industry experts.

Key Highlights of the Festivals:
• Boat demos featuring modern boats and boards
• On-shore clinic sessions and activities for youth racers
• Modular format gives participants the chance to engage in multiple activities
• Parent education on racing pathways, Olympic development, college sailing, and more

The festival series will kick off on June 10-12 in Pensacola, Florida with a first of its kind Youth Performance Sailing Festival. This three-day, fast-paced event will use a modular clinic format to introduce youth sailors to a range of performance boats, including skiffs, catamarans, windsurfers, wing foilers, and modern dinghies.

The USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival series continues at twelve more regattas across the USA. Each Festival will include both traditional course racing and the new JO clinic modules, including on-water boat demos, on-shore clinic sessions, and other learning opportunities for sailors and their parents.

2022 USA Junior Olympic Sailing Festival Schedule:
June 10-12, Pensacola Yacht Club; Pensacola, FL (Youth Performance Sailing Festival)
July 7-10, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club; Kemah, TX
July 8-10, Mentor Harbor Yachting Club; Mentor Harbor, OH
July 17-19, Island Heights Yacht Club; Island Heights, NJ
July TBD, Waikiki and Kaneohe Yacht Clubs; Honolulu, HI
August 1-2, Vineyard Haven Yacht Club; Vineyard Haven, MA (Windsurfing Festival)
August 5-7, Rochester Yacht Club; Rochester, NY
August 13-14, Wayzata Community Sailing Center; Wayzata, MN
August 15-17, Beverly Yacht Club; Marion, MA
August 26-28, Seattle Yacht Club; Seattle, WA
October 14-16, Edison Sailing Center; Ft Myers, FL
December 3-4, US Sailing Center Martin County; Jensen Beach, FL
Dates TBD, Location TBD – California

Details: https://www.ussailing.org/competition/youth-sailing/junior-olympic-sailing-festival/