Sailing for children and young people in the middle of Helsinki

Opti Sailor -group

Description

Children from the age of 5 and up can participate in trainings. The goal of the Opti Sailors group is above all to experience the joy and passion of sailing! You don’t need previous skills or a boat, the group sails on HSS boats. The only skill required is the ability to swim and a life jacket suitable for dinghy sailing.

The Opti Sailors beginner group has two skill levels:

Opti Fun

Start sailing as a new hobby or after summer camp. From this level you move to Opti Sailor level. At Opti Fun you will learn:

• What the parts of the boat are called
• Preparing the boat for sailing
• Taking the boat to the water and back to shore
• Steering the boat
• Basic terms and knots
• Teamwork
• Safety at sea and on shore
• Taking care of training equipment
• Acting as part of a group while focusing on your own task

Opti Sailors

For sailors who sailed in the previous season or have acquired skills elsewhere. From this level, you move to the Opti Racing or Youth Sailing hobby group, depending on the junior’s wishes and coach recommendation. You learn:

• To make turns and sail in all directions of the wind
• Safe capsizing and lifting the boat back up
• Being in tow
• Confidence to sail autonomously
• Basic racing rules
• Familiarizing yourself with the starting line and signals (getting familiar with racing)
• Participation in the first playful competition

The entire Opti Sailors group trains at the same time, but when enough participants, Fun and Sailor levels have their own experienced coach with a junior sailing background. Finnish sailing and boating has granted HSS the Star Club status and selected HSS as Junior Sailing Club of the Year 2022 and 2023.

Schedule, prices and registration

The group trains twice a week for 2.5 hours (incl. arrival, preparation, training and transfer back to mainland) on Mondays and Thursdays from 17:00 to 19:30. At the Fun level, you can come to practice once a week either on Monday or Thursday.

New sailor at Opti Fun level:

The Fun level is for beginners and those who have been to a summer camp.

Full season 2027 training from May until the end of September or longer if weather permits. Training 2 times/week: 999 €. Training 1 time/week: 599 €. All prices include indoors winter training 1 time/week from October to April. HSS also organises Crossfit and swimming during the wintertime (separate fee).

Registration for the Opti Sailor level:

The Sailor level is for those who have already sailed in the Fun or Beginner groups or have otherwise acquired sailing skills. The season starts in May as soon as the sea clears and continues, weather permitting, until the end of September or the beginning of October.

Training for the whole season 2 times a week 999 € All prices include indoors winter exercise 1 time/week from October to April. HSS also organises Crossfit during the wintertime (separate fee).

Registering

Registration for the 2027 weekly training takes place in two parts: 1) by registering the junior as a member of the club and 2) by registering for the training. Registration takes place at SuomiSport. If you have not used the service before, you will be asked to create an account with strong authentication.

HSS is a sailing club and juniors from HSS training programs join as junior members of HSS. The membership fee in 2026 is 73€year. Member benefits include transport to Liuskasaari, Finnish Sailing Association group insurance, restaurant discounts and the club’s newsletter. We also encourage another parent to become a member as membership fees support junior coaching. You can find more information about membership and membership applications here.

If you register by the end of February, the payment will be billed in three parts: April, July and August. Refunds are possible no later than 30 days before the confirmed start of training. We keep a 50€ office fee, which is paid upon registration. No refunds will be made after this, but registration can be transferred to another person by written notification to HSS. If HSS cancels the group, the full price will be refunded.

Equipment

Juniors sail on HSS Sailing School’s dinghy. You only need this:

• A life jacket suitable for dinghy sailing
• A dry set of clothes and a towel in a waterproof bag
• Water-repellent and windproof clothes
• Outdoor shoes suitable for dinghy sailing
• Optional: Dry suit or wet suit (used ones can be found at tori.fi and Facebook on the Optimistijolla forum)

The coaches are happy to give more advice on equipment!

The role of parents

Junior programs at HSS are run by a community of parents. In the activities you get to know the hobby in a new way, meet new people and spend time in the beautiful archipelago of Liuskasaari. We invite all parents to participate, even a small contribution is valuable. It can be eg. organizing activities and events, social media posting, maintenance of equipment or looking for sponsors. Each junior parent commits to 2 talkoo days to maintain shared junior facilities and equipment. You can choose the dates that suit you and work in a small group so everyone is supported by more experienced members. Alternatively, you can choose to pay a talkoo fee.

Coaches

Opti Sailors responsible coach is Venla Aliklaavu. You can find the coaches’ introductions and contact information under the Coaches section.

Youth Sailing -group

Description

The Youth Sailing group is designed for young people who want to learn and enjoy sailing using a variety of dinghies and sailboards, either independently or with others. Participants learn how to steer a boat and a sailboard, perform tacks and gybes, and sail confidently in all wind directions. The programme is adapted throughout the season based on the group’s interests and wishes, with the main goal of enjoying sailing in a fun and supportive environment.

The Youth Sailing group is not competition-focused, but participants who are interested are welcome to take part in HSS club races. The group is coached by experienced and qualified instructors who develop the programme together with the participants as the season progresses. From this group, sailors can later progress to the adult sailing school, keelboat crews, or HSS racing teams. Participants gain experience in a wide range of exciting watersports and can later choose which type of sailing they wish to continue with.

Age: 12–17 years

Physical requirements: Over 50 kg

Prerequisites: Good swimming ability (able to swim at least 50 metres)

Coach-to-participant ratio: Maximum of 8 participants per coach

What will you learn?

• The characteristics of different types of dinghies and sailboards
• Rigging and preparing equipment for sailing
• Launching from and returning safely to shore
• Lifting the sail out of the water and maintaining balance on a sailboard
• How to safely capsize and recover a dinghy
• Sailing and windsurfing both independently and as part of a group
• Tacking and gybing
• The basics of racing and sailing tactics
• Working as part of a group while developing confidence and independence on the water

Participants develop skills in a wide range of exciting watersports and can later choose the type of sailing or boardsport they would like to pursue.

Schedule

The group begins in early May as soon as weather conditions allow.

• New participants are also welcome to join later in the summer, for example after attending a summer camp.
• Weekly training sessions are held twice a week:
• Wednesdays, 5:00–7:30 pm
• Fridays, 5:00–7:30 pm
• On-the-water training continues until the end of September or early October, depending on weather conditions. During the winter season, an optional physical training session is offered once a week.

Fees

• Full 2027 season: 999 €.
• Autumn season 2027 (for those joining during the summer): 599 €.

All prices include the use of HSS boats and one weekly indoor winter training session (October–April). HSS also offers CrossFit training during the winter for an additional fee.

Registration for the 2027 weekly training takes place in two parts: 1) by registering the junior as a member of the club and 2) by registering for the training. Registration takes place at SuomiSport. If you have not used the service before, you will be asked to create an account with strong authentication.

All junior sailors must become junior members of HSS. The 2026 membership fee is 73 € Membership benefits include free ferry transportation, the Finnish Sailing and Boating Federation’s (SPV) group accident insurance, discounts at the island restaurants, and the club newsletter.

We encourage one parent to become a club member as well, as membership fees help support the junior coaching program. More information about membership and membership applications can be found on our website.

For registrations completed by the end of February, the training fee will be invoiced in three instalments, in April, July and August. A 50 € administration fee applies.

Cancellations are eligible for a refund up to 30 days before the confirmed start of the training program. After that date, no refunds will be issued. However, the registration may be transferred to another person by notifying HSS in writing. If HSS cancels the group, the full fee will be refunded.

We offer two trial sessions for beginners with no previous sailing experience. If you would like to try sailing, please feel free to contact the Junior Manager or the Head Coach for Juniors. Contact details are available on our website.

Equipment

Training is conducted using HSS dinghies and windsurfing boards.

You will need the following equipment:

• Your own life jacket suitable for dinghy sailing.
• A change of dry clothes.
• A wetsuit (3–4 mm, full-length with long sleeves, or separate wetsuit top and trousers), neoprene sailing boots (3–5 mm), a towel, and a warm jacket for use before and after sailing.
• Optional: We recommend wearing a drysuit in May and September.

Note: Second-hand sailing equipment is often available through sailing and equipment Facebook groups as well as on Tori.fi. Our coaches are happy to advise you on purchasing suitable equipment. More information about equipment is available on our website.

The role of parents

HSS junior programs are made possible through the invaluable contribution of parent volunteers.

By getting involved, you can learn more about your child’s hobby, meet new people, and enjoy the beautiful archipelago surroundings of Liuskasaari. There are many different ways to contribute, and every effort is appreciated. Volunteer opportunities include, for example:

• Organising events.
• Supporting junior communications.
• Social media marketing.
• Maintaining equipment.
• Finding sponsors and partners.

Each junior sailor or parent is expected to participate in two volunteer workdays each year to help maintain the shared junior facilities and equipment—one in the spring and one in the autumn. You may choose the dates that suit you best. Guidance is provided, and experienced members are always available to help. Alternatively, a volunteer fee may be paid instead.

Coaches

The Youth Sailing (formerly Youth Green) group is coached by Dipesh Nerpagare. You can find the coaches’ introductions and contact information under the Coaches section.

Top training for the more advanced

Juniors from beginner groups may move on to the Racing Team who race in the Optimist class. All our activities are year-round, which means we practice sailing-related skills both in summer and winter.

Opti Racing

Registration for the season 2027 in Suomisport: Cadets and Ranking. All juniors must be members of HSS. New members can submit their membership application here.

General information

The Opti Racing Group trains in sailing as a competitive sport.

• Age range: 8–15 years
• Physical size: 25–50 kg
• Skill requirements: The sailor has achieved the learning objectives of the Opti Sailor group
• Sailors per coach: 10

Training objectives

The sailors’ objective is to develop their sailing technique and racing tactics, learn independent decision-making, teamwork, fair competition and equipment maintenance. The goal for juniors in the Cadet series is to progress to competing in the Ranking series. The goal for sailors in the Ranking series is to succeed in Finnish ranking regattas and participate in selection trials, through which it is possible to earn a place on the national team for the Nordic, European or World Championships.

In the Opti Racing Group, sailors learn to independently maintain their boat and equipment, develop their sailing technique, compete tactically around the course, understand sailing theory and pursue competitive sailing in an athletic and goal-oriented manner.

• New sailors in the team: Raising their level, with the aim of helping them catch up with the more experienced sailors as quickly as possible.
• Cadet-level sailors / sailors at the intermediate level of the group: Developing technical details so that they can compete in the Ranking series after July.
• Ranking sailors: Earning a place on national teams through the selection trials and achieving success in Finnish ranking regattas.

In the Opti Racing Group, sailors learn:

Boat handling and equipment

• To rig a racing dinghy independently
• The basic sail trims and how to adjust them independently according to the weather
• To trim the sail proactively and continuously
• To understand the importance of mast rake, and how to measure and adjust it

Technique

• To leave and return to shore independently without using a dock
• Roll tacks and gybes with the tiller extension
• Double tacks
• To sail sufficiently high upwind and use telltales
• To sail around a racing course, including the start, mark roundings and different course layouts
• To hold position on the starting line and reverse
• To start
• To perform different types of acceleration on the starting line
• To identify and use a landmark
• To reduce speed by changing the centre of gravity
• To influence the boat’s movement and heel through body weight
• To sail in strong winds: effective hiking, manoeuvres, mark roundings, catching waves, bailing and starting-line tactics
• To perform a 360-degree penalty turn
• To perform penalty turns without using the rudder
• To reduce rudder use and perform manoeuvres with minimal movement
• To catch waves by adjusting the sail and centre of gravity
• To perform a rabbit start
• To use a compass
• To sail using “down fast”, “standard” and “high and pinching” modes

Tactics

• To understand the sides of the course
• To read the wind, including gusts and shifts
• To react to wind shifts
• To read the weather and use it as part of race tactics
• To understand when one is in another boat’s wind shadow and when one is covering another boat
• To observe the starting line
• To sail in confined spaces and challenging situations

Theory

• Racing flags
• More racing rules
• The protest procedure
• The basics of the most common wind patterns
• The fundamentals of team racing
• To master English sailing terminology
• Understanding current and tides

Becoming an athlete

• To analyse one’s own performance
• To give others the space to work and focus on one’s own performance
• To focus independently during training
• To train purposefully
• To establish a routine for use at competitions
• To carry out competition routines independently

Training and competition

During the summer season, the Opti Racing Group trains on the water four to five times a week. During the winter season, there are one or two indoor training sessions per week.

Sailors in the group can train year-round: during the summer season in Finland and during the winter season at optional training camps in Southern Europe.

The Opti Racing Group competes in the Cadet and Ranking series organised by the Finnish Optimist Dinghy Association, including the Finnish Championships, as well as in Baltic Sea Trophy events in the Baltic countries. The group also participates in the Finnish Team Racing Championships.

Equipment

• Sailors use either a club-owned dinghy or their own boat. A personal boat must be acquired after completing one full season.
• The group has access to the club’s two trailers.
• The group has access to the club car for competition trips.
• Sailors must have their own starting watch, life vest, sunglasses, wetsuit, sailing shoes and sailing gloves.

The role of parents

HSS’s junior activities are maintained by a community of parents. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the sport and meet new people in the beautiful archipelago surrounding Liuskasaari. The racing group’s activities include organising competition trips together with the coaches and taking on duties at HSS’s International Helsinki Downtown Regatta.

Each junior or parent completes two volunteer workdays to maintain the shared junior facilities and equipment: one in the spring and one in the autumn. You can choose dates that suit you. Everyone learns and receives support from more experienced members. A volunteer-work fee is available as an alternative.

Coaches

The group is coached by our experienced and trained junior coaches. Their introductions can be found in the Coaches section.

Training and competition fees

The training fee includes coaching and the use of coaching equipment during training sessions and competitions included in the competition programme.

Parents are separately responsible for the sailor’s competition entry fees, as well as the logistics and accommodation costs related to training and competition trips outside the Helsinki metropolitan area, including the costs related to the coach and equipment. The group agrees together on the practices and ground rules for shared expenses.

Members of junior groups participating in the HSS training programme have access to member prices for the annual winter tour organised in Southern Europe.

Welcome to the HSS Opti Racing Team!

ILCA Racing

Registration for the 2027 season in Suomisport: ILCA. All juniors must be members of HSS. New members can submit a membership application here.

General information

• Age range: 13–18 years
• Physical size: ILCA 4: 50–65 kg; ILCA 6: 65–75 kg; ILCA 7: 75+ kg
• Skill requirements:
  • Tactical, technical and physical skills in competitive sailing
  • The motivation to commit to athletic and goal-oriented training
• Sailors per coach: Maximum 12 sailors per coach

Learning objectives

• The sailor deepens their physical, tactical and technical skills and learns to apply them in challenging training and competition conditions.
• Regular physical training that supports sailing
• Versatile sailing skills

Training volume and competition

ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 sailors are of different ages and skill levels. They are divided into groups according to their rig and level of competence, and changing from a smaller to a larger rig during the season is flexible. The large group size ensures high-quality training. During joint training sessions for the entire group, there are always two coaches on the water.

During the summer season, there are four on-water training sessions per week. During the winter season, training focuses on physical conditioning and theory. These sessions are part of every sailor’s training programme. In addition, each sailor can choose separate supplementary physical training according to their own goals, including CrossFit.

ILCA Racing sailors aim to attend three to four overseas training camps and/or competitions during the winter. Overseas training camps and competitions are not included in the basic training fee. The entire group participates in the Finnish national ranking series, and competition coaching is included in the training fee.

The goal of ILCA Racing athletes is to participate in the European and World Championships and to pursue selection for the World Sailing Youth Worlds team. These competitions are not included in the training fee. Information about coaching and costs related to these competitions will be provided to the group during the season.

The training programme for the season can be found in the attached calendar.

Equipment

• The club has one ILCA dinghy available for trying out the class.
• When committing to the group, sailors acquire their own ILCA dinghy.
• The team may use the club car and trailer for competition trips.

Parents’ role in volunteer activities

HSS’s junior activities are maintained by a community of parents. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the sport and meet new people in the beautiful archipelago surrounding Liuskasaari. The racing group’s activities include organising competition trips together with the coaches and taking on duties at HSS’s International Helsinki Downtown Regatta.

Each junior or parent completes two volunteer workdays to maintain the shared junior facilities and equipment: one in the spring and one in the autumn. You can choose dates that suit you. Everyone learns and receives support from more experienced members. A volunteer-work fee is available as an alternative.

Coaches

The head coach responsible for the ILCA group is HSS head coach Lucas Swan. Introductions to HSS’s coaches can be found in the Coaches section.

Training and competition fees

The training fee includes coaching and the use of coaching equipment during training sessions and competitions included in the competition programme.

Parents are separately responsible for the sailor’s competition entry fees, as well as the logistics and accommodation costs related to training and competition trips outside the Helsinki metropolitan area, including the costs related to the coach and equipment. The group agrees together on the practices and ground rules for shared expenses.

Members of junior groups participating in the HSS training programme have access to member prices for the annual winter tour organised in Southern Europe.

Welcome on the journey towards your goals!