Junior Safety at Sea Recap: Big Boats, Big Skills, and Even Bigger Fun at Larchmont Yacht Club
written by Erin Wojdaszka
If you’ve ever wondered how junior sailors make the leap from zooming around in dinghies to commanding the decks of massive offshore yachts we’ve got your answer: it all starts with the Junior Safety at Sea Seminar! This year, the seminar set sail at Larchmont Yacht Club on July 18, 2025, and brought together youth sailors from across the Long Island Sound for a full day of learning, teamwork, and – of course – on-the-water action.
The seminar is more than just a day out on the water. Hosted by the Storm Trysail Foundation and required for participation in JSA of LIS Junior Big Boat Sailing Program events, this seminar is the ticket for racing in regattas like the Stamford YC Dorade Trophy and the Beach Point Overnight Race. The Storm Trysail Foundation teaches junior sailors to promote safe big boat and offshore sailing practices through education and hands-on training. They aim to equip young sailors with the skills and knowledge to transition from dinghy sailing to larger boats, ensuring their safety and fostering a lifelong love of the sport.
The day usually kicks off with big group discussions. But this year the tides were not cooperating, so the organizers adapted in true sailor spirit! Instead of talking first, they leaped right into hands-on dockside demonstrations using a J/109. Red team, blue team, it didn’t matter: everyone cycled through activities like handling winches and equipment checks. Picture sailors getting up-close with the bosun’s chair to go up the mast, learning how to properly reef a sail (essential in high winds), and checking out all the serious safety gear big boats keep on board.
How are Big Boats Different (and Awesome!)
One of the morning’s group discussions focused on what really makes big boat sailing unique versus dinghy racing. It’s not just the size – it’s the roles (skipper, navigator, watch captain, bow, pit, etc.), the extra weight and gear, and the importance of having a Float Plan when you’re headed out. Everything, from weather-proofing your kit to labeling safety equipment and planning meals, matters more when you’re offshore.
A highlight: when an instructor asked, “Why do we like BIG Boats?” the sailors came up with some awesome answers: speed, the ability to travel, making new friends, and, most importantly, teamwork and leadership. One smart sailor said, “A great leader is someone who helps the success of others.”
From Classroom to Cockpit
Second-year sailors took the advanced route: all-day aboard the big boats, working through storm training and practicing “live” emergencies with liferafts. Everyone got to try their hand at man overboard (MOB) drills, injury prevention/first aid, and handling storm sails.
No junior safety day would be complete without a little fun—so after lunch, it was time for the on-the-water sessions. Sailors were split into mini-crews with instructors, working through MOB recovery, emergency steering, and sail drills. Once sails were stowed and the lessons learned, the much-anticipated pizza party got underway.
For those who wanted even more action, the learning didn’t end there: everyone was invited to join in the Larchmont Yacht Club’s Race Week Execution Rocks Race on July 18, with an early evening start and lots of excitement on the course.
From hands-on safety skills to teamwork and a taste of race action, every participant left the Storm Trysail Junior Safety at Sea Seminar better equipped to take on big waters. After all, safety comes first – and with new skills and new friends, junior sailors are ready to chart their own course for the rest of the season.
