Fall Opti Race Coach

Fall Opti Race Coach

Larchmont Yacht Club
Larchmont, New York

Seasonal Position | September through December
Hourly Rate: $25.00 to $30.00, based on experience

Availability Required: Flexible schedule based on program and regatta needs, including Friday afternoons, weekends, holidays, holiday weekends, and travel to assigned regattas.

Reports To: Sailing Director

About Larchmont Yacht Club

Founded in 1880, Larchmont Yacht Club is one of the nation's premier sailing clubs, recognized for its rich tradition of competitive racing, exceptional instruction, and vibrant waterfront community. Located on Long Island Sound just outside New York City, the Club has built a national reputation for developing skilled sailors while fostering sportsmanship, confidence, and a lifelong passion for sailing.

Our sailing program serves sailors from beginner through nationally competitive levels and includes junior, high school, collegiate, adult, keelboat, and frostbite sailing. The junior racing program is among the most respected in the country, attracting talented young sailors who compete successfully at local, regional, national, and international regattas.

The Fall Opti Program continues that tradition by providing focused coaching during the fall racing season, allowing athletes to build on their summer development while preparing for championship events and winter competition.

Position Summary

Larchmont Yacht Club is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Fall Opti Race Coach to join our nationally recognized sailing program. Reporting to the Sailing Director, this seasonal coaching position is responsible for leading either a Championship Opti Team or Development Opti Team while creating a positive, challenging, and rewarding training environment.

The Fall Opti Race Coach develops sailors through high-quality on-the-water instruction, individualized coaching, and race preparation that emphasizes tactical decision making, boat handling, sportsmanship, and confidence. Coaches work closely with sailors and families while helping maintain the high standards that have made Larchmont Yacht Club one of the country's premier junior sailing programs.

This is an outstanding opportunity for passionate sailing coaches looking to work with motivated athletes in a competitive yet supportive environment.

Key Responsibilities

Athlete Development and Coaching

• Coach a group of approximately 3 to 8 Optimist sailors within either the Championship or Development program.
• Plan and lead engaging on-the-water practices focused on racing skills, tactics, strategy, boat handling, sail trim, starting techniques, and mark roundings.
• Provide individualized coaching and constructive feedback that encourages continuous improvement.
• Create a positive, disciplined, and inclusive team culture that builds confidence and sportsmanship.
• Adapt coaching methods to meet the individual needs and goals of each sailor.

Regatta Coaching

• Coach sailors at assigned local, regional, and national regattas.
• Prepare athletes for competition through race strategy discussions, goal setting, and post-race debriefs.
• Assist with launching, rigging, equipment preparation, and regatta logistics.
• Support travel to select championship events, including Midwinter Championships and the Orange Bowl, based on program needs.

Safety and Waterfront Leadership

• Maintain the highest standards of safety during all practices and regattas.
• Safely operate coach boats in varying weather and sea conditions.
• Monitor weather, water conditions, and sailor readiness to ensure safe training environments.
• Ensure all Club policies, US Sailing guidelines, and waterfront safety procedures are consistently followed.

Member and Parent Communication

• Build positive relationships with sailors and their families through professional, timely communication.
• Provide updates on athlete progress and program expectations.
• Represent Larchmont Yacht Club with professionalism at all practices, regattas, and sailing events.

Equipment and Program Support

• Assist with maintaining Optimists, coach boats, and related sailing equipment.
• Report equipment maintenance needs to the Sailing Director.
• Help prepare boats and equipment for practices, regattas, and seasonal storage.
• Support additional sailing program activities as assigned.

Ideal Background

We are seeking coaches who are passionate about junior sailor development and competitive racing. Successful candidates often come from:

• Yacht club racing programs
• Collegiate sailing teams
• Professional sailing academies
• Junior race coaching programs
• National or international Optimist racing backgrounds

This position is ideal for coaches who enjoy mentoring young athletes while contributing to one of the country's leading junior sailing programs.