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A free, instructor-led sailing morning for incoming fourth graders at Nantucket’s Jetties Sailing Center—two hours on the water, a boxed lunch from Millie’s, and a complimentary T‑shirt. Parents may observe from the beach; Spanish and Portuguese options are available by request.
A free, instructor-led sailing morning for incoming fourth graders at Nantucket’s Jetties Sailing Center—two hours on the water, a boxed lunch from Millie’s, and a complimentary T‑shirt. Parents may observe from the beach; Spanish and Portuguese options are available by request.
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Operated by Nantucket Community Sailing - Jetties Sailing Center · Nantucket, Massachusetts
On a bright island morning at Nantucket’s Jetties Beach, the Jetties Sailing Center runs a cheerful, free program that introduces incoming fourth graders to small-boat sailing. Located on the eastern shore near the Whaling Museum pickup at Broad Street, this two-hour session combines hands-on instruction, safe on-water time with an instructor in every boat, and a boxed lunch from Millie’s. The setting is classic Nantucket: a low dune-backed barrier beach with wind-scoured sand, bay water that ripples under steady harbor breezes, and the sweep of sail rigs cutting along the horizon.
The program is offered to incoming Nantucket resident fourth graders (third grade graduates) on select summer Saturdays and begins with a 10:00 a.m. WAVE shuttle from Broad Street/Whaling Museum to the Jetties launch. At the sailing center staff fit each child with a life jacket and review safety procedures; parents are welcome to observe from the beach but are not permitted in the instructional boats. Sailing instruction starts at 10:15 a.m., with an instructor in every boat guiding learners through basic points of sail, steering, and teamwork. After the on-water session participants are served a boxed lunch and receive a complimentary T-shirt before the WAVE returns them to town around 12:15 p.m.
What sets this offering apart is its focus on access and community: it’s free for eligible local sailors, staffed by experienced instructors who prioritize safety and confidence, and run from a compact maritime campus that sits just over the dune where the island’s coastal processes shape a classic barrier-beach profile. That proximity to town—Broad Street, the Whaling Museum, and the WAVE shuttle—makes the program easy to reach for families without a car.
Practical notes: closed-toe shoes are required; life jackets are provided and must be worn. Spanish and Portuguese language options are available during registration. The program does not include swimming and enforces a strict no-swimming policy during sessions. Dates typically run on Saturdays in summer; registration is required and open only to incoming Nantucket resident fourth graders.
Registration is required and limited to Nantucket resident fourth graders; sessions include June 27, July 11, July 25, and August 1. Check-in happens at the Jetties Sailing Center on arrival where staff fit PFDs and review rules. Families should plan to catch the 10:00 a.m. WAVE shuttle from Broad Street/Whaling Museum or drop their child at the site. Closed-toe shoes, curiosity, and patience are simply all you need.
The program is open only to incoming Nantucket resident fourth graders (third grade graduates). Registration is required.
Bring closed-toe shoes (required), a hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle; life jackets (PFDs) are provided.
No. Parents are welcome to observe from the beach but may not join instructional boats.
Yes. Each participant receives a boxed lunch from Millie’s and a complimentary T-shirt after the session.
Spanish and Portuguese instruction preferences are available by request during registration.
Programs may be postponed or canceled for unsafe conditions; registrants will be notified and offered alternatives when possible.
Nantucket Community Sailing - Jetties Sailing Center delivers a range of on-water programs and rentals from its base on Nantucket, Massachusetts. The organization operates a mix of educational and recreational experiences including historic Tall Ship Lynx sails, drop-in youth class days, kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) rentals, sailboat rentals, toddler and youth private sailing lessons, a Women’s Clinic, and the community-focused "Sails for Old Salts." Programs address a broad age range: toddlers (ages 2–4) can begin with private toddler sailing lessons; youth (ages 5–12) can progress through drop-in classes, private lessons in boats such as the RS Quest and Opti, and sailboat rentals in Rhodes 19 and Marshall Cat 15 boats; older adults can join the free Sails for Old Salts keelboat sessions. Instructors guide small groups or individual sailors, and many offerings emphasize hands-on learning, confidence building, and safe time on Nantucket Sound. The Jetties Sailing Center also supports local access: island-resident youths receive free tickets for select experiences, extending community reach. Rental options — sit-on-top kayaks and paddleboards — provide flexible, family-friendly ways to explore nearby waters. All program descriptions specify age ranges and vessel types to help visitors choose appropriate experiences. Nantucket Community Sailing - Jetties Sailing Center is positioned as a community-oriented provider of sailing education, rentals, and historic sailing opportunities in Nantucket.
Book with Nantucket Community Sailing - Jetties Sailing Center