Welcome to the RYA Optimist Squad application page.

Applications for the Optimist Zone Squad are now closed.
Applications within the Optimist Class are for Zone Squads only.

Applications close on the 1st October 2011
NB: Applications after this dates may not be accepted.

Below you will find the 'Application Check-list' document, which will help you gather the relevant information prior to inputting your application on-line.

The Squads
The first step in Optimist squads are the Zone Squads.

1. RYA Zone Squads - North Zone Squad, East Zone Squad, South Zone Squad, West Zone Squad, South East Zone Squad & South West Zone Squad.

For sailors normally of sailing age under 13 years (their age on the 31st December on year of selection), the squads are organised on a regional basis.  The Zone Squads in England are organised by the RYA.  Interested sailors in Scotland and Wales should contact RYA Scotland and the WYA respectively.  These squads provide coaching for sailors who are aspiring to progress to the RYA National Junior Squads More information on RYA Zone Squads.

To proceed with your application click on APPLY above. 

2. IOCA RYA Intermediate Squad
Invitations are issued, after the National Junior Squad is selected, based on a sailor’s overall position on the Official IOCA Ranking List which is published after the End of Season Championship, subject to there being a minimum of six girls and a minimum of six boys (normally 30 sailors).  The National Junior Squad provides coaching for sailors who are aspiring to progress to the RYA National Junior Squad or the RYA Volvo Transition Training Squad More information on IOCA RYA Intermediate Squad.

3. IOCA RYA National Junior Squad
The next step is the National Squad.  Again invitations are issued based on a sailor’s overall position on the Official IOCA Ranking List which is published after the End of Season Championship, subject to there being a minimum of six girls and a minimum of six boys (normally 30 sailors).  The National Junior Squad provides coaching for sailors who are aspiring to progress to the RYA Volvo Transition Training Squads that feed through to the RYA Volvo Youth National Squads More information on IOCA RYA National Junior Squad.

And the final chance for those not selected for the other squads is the Development Squads.

4. IOCA Development Squad
The IOCA Development Squad is for set up for the benefit of experienced Optimist sailors that are normally sailing age over 13 years (their age on the 31st December on year of selection) and are not selected for one of the National, Intermediate or RYA Zone squads.  Invitations are issued after the other squads are selected, based on a sailor’s overall position on the Official IOCA Ranking List which is published after the End of Season Championship (normally 15 sailors)  More information on IOCA RYA Development Squad.

Go back to the RYA Junior Squad Application page.