Junior and Youth Racing

If you can't find the answer to your question here, you can get in touch with our Junior Fleet Captain, who will be happy to try and answer your question. If your question relates to training or coaching, you may want to first visit our section on Training.

Budworth Junior and Youth Sailors (JAYS) compete in Toppers, Fevas, ILCA 4s, ILCA 6s, 420s or one of the other fleets sailed at the Club, for example the GP14 or RS200.

JAYS are all under 19 on 31 August in the current membership year.

On Sundays, for the main part of the season, racing focuses on class racing, with separate prizes for Toppers, Fevas, ILCAs and 420s. To support progression, junior and youth ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 sailors compete alongside the adult ILCA sailors, with specific youth prizes awarded at the end of each series. Although competitiveness is actively encouraged, the main emphasis is on skill development and having fun.

On Wednesdays and Saturdays there are separate handicap starts for JAYS, although many of our JAYS choose (and are encouraged) to enter the main handicap series against all classes and age of sailor. Many take the opportunity on these days to helm or crew in other classes, often with more experienced adult sailors in order to further their skills and knowledge.

When juniors are involved in class racing amongst only their peers, race officers are encouraged to set shorter courses or fewer laps to maintain the fun and competitiveness of the racing.

Twice a year we hold junior only racing days - the RYA North West Junior Travellers Series (normally the first Bank Holiday in May) and the Budworth End of Season Junior Regatta (normally in October).

JAYS often go on to combine their Club racing with representing the Club at regional, national and world level competitions.