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 JAYS 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.

Junior sailors are under 17 years old, and youth sailors are aged 17-21 years (as at 31 August in the current membership year).

On Sundays, for the main part of the season, racing focuses on class racing with a designated junior fleet in which Toppers, Fevas and 420s can compete on handicap. 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 JAYS join in handicap racing alongside the Clubs other adopted classes. Many also 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.

We also hold an annual end of season JAYS Regatta, sometimes combined with hosting the RYA North West Junior and Youth Travellers Series.

JAYS often go on to combine their Club racing with representing the Club at regional, national and world level competitions. Whilst fleet racing is the mainstay of these activities, our JAYS also regularly compete in other disciplines such as team racing and endurance racing.