Fostering the next generation of sailing champions

The Cruising Yacht Club is deeply committed to shaping the future of sailing and supporting young people across South Australia. Through our Youth Sailing Foundation, we nurture the next generation of sailors—developing not only competitive talent but also essential life skills such as planning, resilience, and strategic thinking.

Our structured pathway introduces participants to sailing, builds both individual and team capabilities, and ignites a competitive spirit that drives sailors toward personal, national, and even professional ambitions within the marine industry.

The Foundation aims to prepare youth teams for national and international competition, while ensuring participants graduate as confident, capable, and well-rounded individuals. Open to students from all backgrounds, the program offers equal opportunity through access to our fleet of Elliott 7 keelboats, used in a wide range of training and racing activities, including:

• The Australian Sailing Keelboat Program
• Match racing series, including the SA Women’s series and Fred Neill Trophy for interclub competition
• Interschool teams racing and match racing 
• Pathways from dinghy sailing into keelboat racing
• Pathways into ocean racing

The Youth Sailing Foundation (YSF) Program is an advanced keelboat squad designed for youth members aged 14–25. Commencing in May 2026, the program combines both on-water and off-water training. Participants will have opportunities to represent CYCSA at club and state regattas, with potential selection for national championships.

Building on foundational training, the YSF Development and Performance Squad Programs focus on strengthening teamwork and refining advanced sailing techniques across both fleet and match racing disciplines. Key areas of development include:

• Advanced keelboat handling, including asymmetrical and symmetrical spinnaker techniques
• In-depth understanding of the Racing Rules of Sailing
• Transitioning tactics from dinghy fleet racing to keelboat racing
• Enhancing team coordination and communication
• Advanced match racing tactics and rules
• Keelboat maintenance and preparation
• Regatta participation 
• Opportunities to represent the Club and Australia at national and international levels
• Introduction to larger keelboat racing through collaboration with CYCSA members

Through-out the year participants will engage in on-water squad training and fitness development. This is followed by focused regatta team training, ensuring sailors are fully prepared for competitive events.

To enquiry more about joining the YSF Squads please reach out to CYCSA Head Coach,Luke Allison at sailing@cycsa.com.au 

Read the full press release [here]

Find out more about our goal, our mission and future pathways [here]

Help support their journey….
If you would like to support their effort, please feel free to make a donation using the portal link below. 100% of your donation will help fund expenses for the Youth Team. To make a tax deductible donation to the Youth Sailing Foundation via the Australian Sports Foundation, click below to find out more

Sponsorship

The Club is pleased to present a unique sponsorship opportunity which has the potential to provide significant brand exposure within the Australian yachting scene and also the general public.

To find out about available sponsorship and supporter opportunities at the CYCSA, and please don’t hesitate to contact us for further discussion.