Youth Sailing Programs


Water Comfort Check & Capsize Drill: Standard Operating Procedure
  • Home to the following Varsity High School Racing Teams

    Academic Magnet
    Ashley Hall
    Bishop England High School
    James Island Charter School

    High School sailing closely parallels the collegiate sailing format. For fleet racing, teams are divided into A and B divisions comprising of different skippers and crews for each division. A team may substitute sailors as long as prescribe substitution rules are followed. Courses tend to be relatively short emphasizing starts and tactics. Teams also participate in Team Racing events where each team fields three boats to sail against three boats from another team. In team racing teammates work together to outmaneuver the other team so that their combined race scores are better than the other team’s combined scores.

    Charleston sailing teams are part of the South-Atlantic Interscholastic Sailing Association (SAISA) District. Teams participate in a number of regattas throughout the seasons which run from September to November and March to May. The end of each season culminates in a District Championship and in the spring, for those teams that qualify, the National Fleet Racing Championship (Mallory Cup) and National Team Racing Championship (Baker Cup).

    Teams attend local events and travel to venues requiring overnight stays several times a season. Organization of all local and overnight trips is the responsibility of team captains and parents.

    Want to add your school to the list or join a team individually?  Contact us at (843) 607-4890 to get on the water!

  • Flexible with your schedule! Want to learn a specific skill? Schedule a private lesson at your convenience with one of our instructors!

    Cost: $80/hour for 1-2 ppl, 2 hour minimum:

    For a limited time up to 2 guests sail free. $25 for additional guests.

Merrythought Trophy for High School Racing

Since 2013 we have awarded a perpetual trophy in memory of Jack King called the Merrythought Trophy. This beautiful half-hull trophy is hung in our office.

The purpose of this award is to reward deserving youth participating in Charleston Community Sailing programs. Recipients of this award should display superior character, sportsmanship, and love of the sport. Nominations for the award will be accepted from coaches, instructors, school advisors, or other sailing community members and should include name and writeup as to why they are deserving. The recipients (male and female) will receive a keeper trophy.

This perpetual trophy is awarded annually at our Annual Fundraiser.

Past Recipients: 

2024:  Charlotte Casey & Madeleine Harris
2023:  Molly Lorring & Bryson Eaton
2022:  Andrea C. Melnik & Langdon S. Wallace
2021: Mason L. Baird & Carson M. Shaw
2019: Camdyn R. Williams & Arthur M. Unger
2018: Frances J. Hart & Edward W. Fleuren III
2017: Britton S. Durst & Ann B. Sheridan
2016: Sarah C. DeLoach & Jack E. McKenzie
2015: Margaux M. Bacro-Duverger & John M. Sutton
2014: Caroline P. Puckette & William M. Scarborough
2013: Mary L. Kerrison & Todd M. Fanning

Nominate a CCS Youth Sailor TODAY by emailing to info@charlestoncommunitysailing.org.  Be sure to include full name and details why they are deserving of this trophy.