Vallarta Yacht Club's summer program offers kids an unforgettable experience learning to sail on Banderas Bay and so much more! Since its inception in 2007, the VYC Summer Program has introduced hundreds of children to the exhilarating world of sailing aboard our club’s fleet of sailboats.
This year, we will hold 4 week-long summer camps for kids ages 6 to 17, serving 15-20 young sailors per week. We asked Keyla Hernadez, VYC Director of Junior Sailing, to give us an inside look at what a week at VYC Summer Camp looks like.
Each day begins with integration exercises, setting the tone for a day filled with learning and fun. Activities vary with wind conditions, with a primary focus on sailing. Solo sailors venture out on Optis and Lasers while Hobies and C420s are used to promote teamwork with multiple sailors aboard. For variety and fun, the kids try their hand at other water sports such as stand-up paddleboarding and wakeboarding. They also help assemble their boats and play games to further the fun and bonding. Special outings aboard larger sailboats, like Randy Hough’s s/v Cricket and Andy Barrow’ s/v Hey-Ya, add to the thrill, making every day a new adventure on the Bay of Banderas.
One of the main objectives is for the children to sail on their own during the camp week. It can be an intimidating challenge for campers to learn to execute many different skills simultaneously. But our coaches are specialists in encouraging and teaching the young sailors to achieve this goal in such a short time. "The most exciting moment for every camper is when they manage to handle the boat by themselves," shares Keyla. "The excitement and amazement on their faces is always a delight for the coaches."
Safety is paramount, with an impressive coach-to-child ratio (5 children per coach). Coaches maintain constant communication throughout the day via powerful radios. Dedicated coach boats are equipped with essentials like fresh water to combat the summer heat, sunscreen and extra flotation devices.
Beyond skills development, the VYC Summer Program fosters a sense of camaraderie and accomplishment. "The meals are like a big family dinner," describes Keyla, "where children and coaches share experiences and stories from their day on the water." Rudy and the VYC staff provide delicious, nutritious and enticing food in the inviting atmosphere of the yacht club where you will see campers and coaches gather several times each day.
As the summer unfolds, so do memories and skills that keep children coming back year after year. "The majority of our campers return annually," notes Hernandez proudly, "many attending multiple years in a row." Many campers come from other parts of Mexico and even other countries. Several of them continue with the regular VYC Junior Sailing Program which runs yearlong.
Our VYC Junior Sailing Summer Camp promises not just an introduction to sailing, but a journey of growth, excitement, and new horizons. Thank you to Keyla, Bart and all our coaches for leading this wonderful, enriching program in an exciting, skillful and safe way.
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