The Buffalo Yacht Club is proud to host one of the fastest growing high school sailing programs in the country. From just a handful of sailors in 2009, the program now hosts more than 50 sailors from Fourteen area high schools. The program includes a fleet of eighteen FJ class sailboats purchased in 2017, floating docks, and a team of experienced coaches. Many of the students participating in the BYCF's program have gone on to sail for college teams, and win and place in major regattas including winning the 2014 Junior Lightning North American's. Contact us if your school is interested in starting a team.
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PURPOSE
To build a strong local high school sailing program which promotes seamanship and sportsmanship while encouraging inter-scholastic competition at local and regional levels by combining the talents of student sailors from local high schools.
ELIGIBILITY
The program is open to full time students, girls and boys, at the local high schools in grades 7 through 12. Team sizes can be as small as one sailor. Competitors race in teams of two and single sailors will be paired with athletes from other schools. By ISSA rule, 7th & 8th graders cannot compete in official ISSA sanctioned regattas, however they can compete in our local interscholastic regattas.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
The Buffalo Yacht Club Foundation has scholarships available for children 6 to 18 years old to participate in the BYCF's High School and Junior Sailing Programs. To apply please complete the form before and mail it to the BYC or email it to [email protected].
PRACTICE
High school teams practice two days a week and race one day a week from 3:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Teams are broken up into practice groups. Depending on a sailor’s school, he/she will be placed into either a Monday/Wednesday practice group or a Tuesday/Thursday group. All sailors come to race day on Fridays, where their team competes each week in an A/B divisional/rotational format. Results are posted online weekly so that teams can chart progress.
SEASONS
High School Sailing has two seasons, fall and spring. Sailors sign up for each season separately, and most do both seasons. The fall season begins in early September and runs through mid-November. The spring season begins in mid-March and goes until late May. Having seasons that extend into the colder months allows us to compete with teams in the south and in the west, which can sail year round.
GEAR
Sailors are required to wear a Coast Guard approved PFD (lifejacket). A wetsuit or drysuit is required when the air and water temperature add to below 120 degrees (spring season mostly). Important gear may include, though is not restricted to, performance fleece layers, cold weather sailing gloves, winter hats, neoprene sailing boots, and foul weather gear. For more information on gear please talk to the coaches.
Do you have used gear/boats that you would like to sell? Are you looking for used gear or a used boat? Please click HERE to share with us!
FLEET
The Buffalo Yacht Club high school sailing program owns eighteen Club FJ sailboats, purchased summer of 2017. The boats are kept on floating docks for easy launching and hauling, creating maximum time on the water.
FACILITIES & TRANSPORTATION
High school sailing practices are held at the Buffalo Yacht Club, located at 1 Porter Avenue near the entrance to the Peace Bridge. Sailors are responsible for their own rides to and from practices. Carpools are often available and strongly encouraged.
TEAMS & EVENTS
Buffalo area teams compete under in the Mid-Atlantic District (MASSA) under the national governing body ISSA (Inter-Scholastic Sailing Association). Teams register with MASSA each fall to secure eligibility for MASSA sanctioned events. Buffalo is apart of the NYISA - NW league which hosts qualifying regattas for MASSA championship events. To have a MASSA-registered team, a school must have at least 4 members, although at most local events, teams or individuals that do not meet this requirement can pair up with another small team. For more information on the NYISA-NW league or MASSA please click HERE.
Support the BYCF Boating Education Programs
The Buffalo Yacht Club Foundation's Junior, Adult, and High School Sailing Programs have grown exponentially over the past years. The BYCF Boating Education Programs would not be possible without the generous donations of many Buffalo community members. There are many ways to support our programs! Below is a link to donate a onetime or monthly donation.
2023 High School / Collegiate Sailing Season
Weekly Training Schedule
Contact us if your school is interested in starting a team.
Mondays & Wednesday: 3:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Buffalo Seminary
Canisius
City Honors
Hamburg
Kenmore
Nardin
Orchard Park
Nichols
Park School
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 3:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Amherst
Clarence
Home School
St. Joe's
Starpoint
Sacred Heart
Williamsville North
Williamsville East
Fridays: RACE DAY FOR ALL 3:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sailors are expected to attend practices in order to participate in races.
*Scheduling conflicts will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Talk to your coach.
Sign Up Now
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Program Coordinator:
Leah Trow
[email protected]
716-883-5900 x3
Regatta RESULTS
Fall 2023
Spring 2023
Fall 2022
Spring 2022
Fall 2021