The Junior Instructor Program at Oak Harbor Youth Sailing is a unique opportunity for young sailors to transition from being a student to sailing instructors. It's more than just a sailing class; it's a leadership development program that provides participants with the skills and experience needed to become an effective sailing instructor.

The program is open to 14 and 15-year-old sailors with basic sailing skills and a passion for learning. You don't need to be an advanced sailor to apply. The program is self-paced, meaning the more time you commit to it, the faster you learn. Participants must have a passion for learning and the marine environment and a desire to improve their sailing skills and impact their community.

Junior Instructors will be paired with certified Instructors for week-long, half-day shifts. During their shift, they will assist in teaching skills, communication, leadership, powerboat driving, and more. The program is designed to provide Junior Instructors with a wide range of experiences, and each week will be different based on the Instructor, the class, and the students.

The Junior Instructor program offers many benefits, including developing and improving sailing skills, expanding teaching and organizational skills, and gaining critical soft skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. Junior Instructors will also gain experience driving powerboats in controlled settings and participate in team bonding activities such as evening sails, potlucks, and end-of-season BBQs.

The program also allows Junior Instructors to log volunteer or internship hours and provides a path to becoming a certified Instructor. Sailors are eligible to take the certification course and be hired as Instructors the year they turn 16. We encourage sailors to JI for at least one summer before taking their certification course for best results