Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic: 4-Days to Streamline the Path to Race Teams | Modern Sailing

Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic: 4-Days to Streamline the Path to Race Teams

photo by Wrye Sententia

At Modern Sailing, we are constantly refining our curriculum to ensure our sailors are not just trained, but confident when they hit the starting line. To better prepare you for the fast-paced environment of a Level 1 Race Team, we are excited to announce a strategic update to our racing pathway.

Starting this season, we are merging our two-day Racing Clinic and Asymmetrical Clinic into one unified experience: the 4-Day Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic.


Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic (4-days) 

Prerequisite Change: The 4-day Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic becomes the mandatory prerequisite for all Level 1 Race Teams starting with the 2026 Summer Series. Learn more in our FAQ section below.

What’s Included: Two days of spinnaker handling (sets, jibes, douses) and two days of racing fundamentals (starts, tactics, and rules).

Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic (4-days)
Days: This 4 Day Clinic will take place on Saturdays and Sundays

Times: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Price: Members $1095 / Non-members $1295
Prerequisites: Sportboat or silver rated + 4 on-the-water days, or equivalent experience
Vessel: J/105

View Schedule & Enroll Online


Why the Change?

Previously, the Racing Clinic and Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic were separate two-day modules. While valuable, we found that integrating these skills provides a much more realistic racing foundation. By combining tactics, starting-line maneuvers, and spinnaker handling into two consecutive weekends, students build better muscle memory and a more cohesive understanding of how a race boat functions as a single unit.


Transition Timeline & FAQs

I’ve already taken the previous 2-Day Racing Clinic. Can I still join a Race Team?
Yes - for the currently enrolling Spring Series (BYC and CYC), we are still honoring the previous 2-Day Racing Clinic as a valid prerequisite.

What if I want to race in the Summer Series or later?
Starting with the Summer 2026 Series, the full 4-day curriculum (or the completion of both previous 2-day modules) will be required.

I’ve already done the 2-Day Racing Clinic. How do I "bridge" to the new standard?
To help our current students who have completed a previous 2-Day Racing Clinic transition, we have specific 2-day Asymmetrical Spinnaker clinics scheduled. If you don't see it currently on the schedule, please reach out to our team to know you are interested: office@modernsailing.com

Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic 
Days: This 2-day clinic will take place on a Saturday and Sunday in one weekend
Boat/Coach: J/105 Sportboat
Rate: $535 Members / $645 Non-Members
 

View Schedule & Enroll Online

Those who have already successfully completed the 2-Day Racing Clinic can complete this session to qualify you for all future Level 1 Race Teams.

I’ve already completed both the old Racing and Spinnaker clinics. Am I set?
Yes. If you have both 2-day clinics on your Mindbody visit history, you have met the new requirement and are qualified to enroll in the Level 1 Race Teams. You can also submit a sailing resume if you have previous racing experience outside of Modern Sailing.

Do any of the 4-days of the Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic count towards the 6 OTW skipper days for ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising course? Yes. You can log 3 co-skipper days on the water from your 4-day Intro to Spinnaker Racing Clinic (or 2-days for the previous Racing Clinic or Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic).  

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  • Alisa Driscoll, Dual Site Member

    Here are some snaps of Our Saturday, August 20, 2022 Modern Sailing Expedition with Captain Robert Bivin, who was outstanding. Please convey photos and thanks to him. He is an outstanding individual, leader and sailing instructor. His knowledge and experience made us all feel safe and our Farallones Day Trip educational and just amazing. 

  • Jessica Zittere, Member

    The Full Moon Sail with Skipper Bob Gutsgell was Ah-Mayzing!! The group dynamic was lovely and the views spectacular. I can't say enough good things about the experience. Thanks so much for the wonderful Club Sails, they are really great.

  • John Kipping

    The meeting room was quite adequate and the location most convenient, but the course outline and instruction were outstanding. Modern Sailing is fortunate to have such a well organized instructor in Mr. Stan Lander who teaches very well from a rich professional background. Mr. Lander was generous with his time and patiently in helping students who needed more attention or time in understanding various aspects of the curriculum.

  • Mike, Santa Rosa, California

    All of the courses and my instructors (JT and Stan) were extremely professional and full of knowledge and experience. I found I was able to learn from their experiences beyond the scope of the courses, and look forward to future opportunities to do so. I would highly recommend Modern Sailing to anyone.

  • Steve Hood, Basic Coastal Cruising

    I would definitely recommend Modern Sailing to anyone who is interested in learning to sail the right way.

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