STAR is a shoulder season sail training program that also runs in support of club programs in the summer and provides year-round opportunity for team regatta participation locally, nationally and internationally. We employ the best coaches in the region in their respective fleets - Opti, c420, Laser and 29er, as numbers allow - and engage technical talent and experts in other areas in which sailors (and coaches) may need training, like mental focus, regatta prep, sportsmanship, rules and more.
STAR is a holistic approach to sail training in that we believe success stories come from a combination of a number of things: great coaching, the right attitude, and a supportive system. We are the only sail training program in the region to formally provide ongoing coach development that runs in parallel with sail training and, additionally, parent info sessions.
We look for the best of everything in the sailors we work with and look to develop the best athletes we can. Our sailors may not be "the best" on their home sailing team but embody certain qualities that we feel make the best athletes and teammates, on and off the water. We look for grit, determination, positivity and potential and we ensure we build on these traits to help STAR sailors become the best they can be.
STAR is a holistic approach to sail training in that we believe success stories come from a combination of a number of things: great coaching, the right attitude, and a supportive system. We are the only sail training program in the region to formally provide ongoing coach development that runs in parallel with sail training and, additionally, parent info sessions.
We look for the best of everything in the sailors we work with and look to develop the best athletes we can. Our sailors may not be "the best" on their home sailing team but embody certain qualities that we feel make the best athletes and teammates, on and off the water. We look for grit, determination, positivity and potential and we ensure we build on these traits to help STAR sailors become the best they can be.
Every session includes a theory session on a variety of critical topics. These include but are not limited to:
STAR Starting Theory
Your Starting Routine Weather Patterns |
The Mental Game
Understanding Your Class Rules Timing + Acceleration |
Goal Setting
Protest Procedures Choosing Your Lane |
- Sailors should bring their own Opti or Laser. 420 charters are available if necessary. Storage space will be provided free of charge.
- Sailors must be rigged and ready to launch by the start of practice! Please arrive early enough to be "rigged and ready" at the start time of practice.
- Sailors should arrive prepared for the elements of the day, whatever they may be as we sail in ALL weather! Appropriate clothing includes drysuit/wetsuit/salopettes or comparable, smocks, gloves, boots, hats, for both the Spring and Fall).
- Sailors should bring snacks and a filled reusable water bottle.
- Competition costs are not included in STAR program costs. Sailors that wish to compete at events locally, nationally or internationally, should expect to incur additional costs related to event registration, event-related coaching, travel, accommodations, and more.
STAR runs annually every Spring and Fall with training camps at member clubs throughout the summer season, and attendance at national and international regattas as sailor interest dictates. We run squads for Opti, c420, Laser and 29er, as numbers allow and we like to fill the ranks with like-minded athletes that share similar attitudes and outlooks.
Spring 2023
Dartmouth Yacht Club
April 22 to June 10, 2023
Fridays, 4 to 7:30 p.m. (Opti, 420 and ILCA)
Saturdays + Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$850+HST
OR
Weekends Only (Opti, 420 and ILCA)
Saturdays + Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$650+HST
Dartmouth Yacht Club
April 22 to June 10, 2023
Fridays, 4 to 7:30 p.m. (Opti, 420 and ILCA)
Saturdays + Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$850+HST
OR
Weekends Only (Opti, 420 and ILCA)
Saturdays + Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
$650+HST
*All regatta costs (travel, registration, coaching, etc.) are additional to STAR program costs and the responsibility of the sailor.
Regattas
During the shoulder season (Spring + Fall) and off season (November through April), we will attend regattas according to the value and experience we expect the sailors to receive and according to sailor commitment / interest. Regatta costs (travel, registration , etc.) are outside of STAR program costs and the responsibility of the sailor.
During the shoulder season (Spring + Fall) and off season (November through April), we will attend regattas according to the value and experience we expect the sailors to receive and according to sailor commitment / interest. Regatta costs (travel, registration , etc.) are outside of STAR program costs and the responsibility of the sailor.
We get a lot of questions about how the team is made. Generally, we look for sailors in Opti, c420, Laser and 29er with a certain combination skills and personality, and six core qualities, things that we feel will make for the best experience and best results:
Sailors who have successfully competed in Open fleets of their respective classes (e.g., Opti AR, two years open experience; Opti IR, those focused on gaining race experience).
Athletes who are ready and excited to take their sailing to the next level and who also have a strong technical base in place to build on.
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Sailors who want to work hard, "leave it all on the water" and are coachable. They are eager and interested in learning.
Sailors who have experience training and racing other skilled sailors. Technically, their skills and finesse show up on the water.
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Sailors who have a positive attitude, have demonstrated leadership on and off the water and are supportive of their teammates.
The coaches love them. They're the official, single-handed cheer squad of their team and brings the support - and the laughs - everytime.
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The majority of our local regattas (ARK, Bay Wind, Sail East, etc.) will be outside of the shoulder seasons of the STAR program. As such, STAR sailors will most likely attend those regattas with their home clubs but the team will meet a number of times throughout the summer season, at a schedule determined by summer training and regattas.
The STAR team will also work together to plan for away regattas according to sailor interest. Those regattas could include travel throughout Canada and to the US, including New England and Florida.
Different levels of sailors will require different regatta schedules and dates. How to manage this will be covered in both the Coach Development + Parent #STARsocial series to ensure all athletes can reach their goals.
The STAR team will also work together to plan for away regattas according to sailor interest. Those regattas could include travel throughout Canada and to the US, including New England and Florida.
Different levels of sailors will require different regatta schedules and dates. How to manage this will be covered in both the Coach Development + Parent #STARsocial series to ensure all athletes can reach their goals.