The Optimist is an Australian Sailing recommended class for junior sailors.  Its size and forgiving nature make it a great boat for introducing sailing at an early age. It is technical enough to provide all of the challenges both physically and mentally for sailors to develop their skills to the highest level of competition.

The Optimist is sailed in over 110 countries and offers an extensive foundation for sailors to take their sailing to any level they choose.

The Optimist is used as the primary pathway boat at SoPYC for:

  • Try Sail & Learn to Sail (Green Fleet )Programs – Using the plastic Ozi Opti modified optimist, which is more stable and stronger.
    Its strength and stability make it a very safe introduction for sailors
  • Bronze Fleet (Or Transition Group) – Use Club owned fiberglass racing Optimists or their own
  • Silver (Learn to Race) and Gold Fleet(Learn to Compete)– Sailors at this stage have their own boat and are very competent

Very stable and forgiving nature makes it a great boat for introducing sailing at an early age. The natural sitting position also allows for learning the correct posture that is very important in progressing to more advanced boats.

  • 7-14 year olds
  • 30-53 kg

Its size and forgiving nature make it a great boat for introducing sailing at an early age.

All Classes