who we are

About LISOT

LISOT provides world-class training for highly motivated junior sailors who want to develop and hone their racing skills in the Optimist, I420, C420, Laser or Radial.

Our proven success for over a decade in the Optimist class; 5+ years in the I420 and C420 classes, and 3 years in the Laser and Radial classes have achieved significant results. Many LISOT sailors have gone on to have impressive college sailing careers and more.

Our low coach to sailor ratios offer both individualized attention and the opportunity to sharpen your skills by sailing with world-class coaches and top junior sailors in competitive training sessions on a regular basis.

LISOT sailors have the opportunity to sail year round - over 100 days per year, including weekend practices, clinics and an active regional, national and international regatta schedule.

Many LISOT sailors have national and international regatta experience, so our practices provide a strong learning and competitive environment for everyone.

LISOT has a mentoring program for sailors who are new to racing at the national and international level – whether in the Opti, 420 or Laser.

LISOT also has an active team racing program for Opti's - LISOT has represented the USA at the two prestigious international Opti team race regattas in Berlin, Germany and Venice, Italy each year since 2006. In 2012 LISOT won the Venice regatta with an undefeated record – the first time ever, by any country, in that regatta.

Whether you're just learning how to team race, want to do it more often, or compete on the international level - team race practices are posted on the schedule.

How LISOT Works

We’re a completely open and inclusive team with sailors from all around LI Sound and the NY Metro area. Any aspiring sailor who has completed an advanced racing program and wants to improve his or her racing skills are welcome to sail with us in a positive and fun environment.

Sailors do not need to be a member of a yacht club. There is no membership or membership fee, nor long-term commitment. You can sail as much or as little as you like.

What kinds of events does LISOT do?

There are two types of event:




Where does LISOT sail?

Weekend training is held on Long Island Sound at yacht clubs on the north side of The Sound. Over the years LISOT has been fortunate to be guests of clubs such as Larchmont YC, American YC, Beach Point YC, Indian Harbor YC, Riverside YC, Stamford YC, Noroton YC and Ceder Point YC.

LISOT also runs annual clinics, including the Van Duyne Advanced 420 Racing clinic (usually over Memorial Day weekend at American YC), as well as a 4-day Opti and 6-day clinic in June at Camp Quinipet on Shelter Island and a 4-day 420 clinic at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island. We also run a 420 clinic over Thanksgiving weekend in Miami.

How do I start sailing With LISOT?

All you need to do is sign up for the event you want to attend (click the “Create, alter or delete a signup” tab).

If you’re an Opti or laser sailor or 420 skipper, you’ll need your own boat. If you’re a 420 crew, we have a good track record of matching skippers and crews.

If you’d like to speak with someone prior to trying LISOT, please contact:




Fees and costs

LISOT charges a per-event fee, payable at the end of each day or event (by cash or check). This covers our expenses -- mainly coaching fees, insurance, and running and maintaining our coach boats.

How much does it cost?

The cost of each event is shown on the signup page in the event description.

For events that are not local (travel regattas, out-of-town clinics), we incur additional travel related coach expenses (airline tickets, meals and accommodation), which are then included in the LISOT fee. We also strive to save a small amount of money from each event to fund boat maintenance, repair and replacement. (Note: coaching fees for travel events and clinics are often listed as “TBD” on the sign ups, and not finalized until a few weeks before the event, when we know the number of sailors attending and the corresponding budget. Assume the daily fee will not be less than the regular fee for a practice).

How do I pay?

LISOT collects coaching fees at the end of each practice day or regatta. Fees are paid in cash or check (payable to “LISOT”), and collected by a LISOT parent volunteer. In order to minimize the administrative burden of our all-volunteer operations team (only our coaches are paid), LISOT does not maintain any individual accounts, take deposits or bulk payments, send out bills, etc. Sailors are expected to pay promptly each day or at each event.

Who do I pay?

A LISOT parent volunteer is designated as the “treasurer” for collecting at each practice or event. If you are unsure of that person, just ask the coach.

Cancellation Policy

Each event has a cancellation date listed on the sign up page. Practices are usually 5 days prior, clinics and regattas vary.

When you first sign up, your status will be displayed on the website as “requested”. This status will change to “confirmed” when inside the cancellation period.

After an event confirms you will not be able to withdraw without incurring a cancellation fee (50% of the cost for that practice or event).

NOTE: If you are listed as “waitlisted,” you are NOT guaranteed a spot for that event (the maximum number of sign ups are listed with each event). You will be notified if additional coaching can be arranged and you will be able to attend. If you are waitlisted, it’s a good idea to email the program director and/or coach to alert them of your desire to sail.

While it is extremely rare that LISOT “leaves a sailor at the dock,” and we work hard to get everyone sailing, when sailors sign up late (e.g., inside the cancellation period), it makes it very difficult for us to ensure proper coaching ratios and availability of coach boats.

Why cancellation fees?

There have been occasions when last minute cancellations have resulted in LISOT having too many coaches and not enough sailors for an event or practice, which translates into increased event fees for everyone else. In addition, in the case of travel regattas, when sailors sign up late is makes it difficult to ensure the correct number of coaches (and coach boats), which has sometimes resulted in expenses (and therefore, LISOT fees) to be higher than necessary.

Why am I being asked for a credit card when I fist register?

In the rare event someone doesn’t pay the cancellation fee, we maintain a valid credit card on file on a secure server to charge those who cancel from a practice or event.

Please note that we have rarely ever charged a credit card for cancellation and strongly prefer payment by cash or check.

To keep coaching fees as low as possible, we do not accept credit cards for normal LISOT coaching fees.

Tax-deductible donations

LISOT is 100% privately funded, including all funds for procuring and maintaining our fleet of coach boats and trailers. This is made possible by the generosity of the LISOT community. If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation to the LISOT coach-boat fund, or LISOT in general, please contact LISOT President Doug Wefer at doug@wefer.net to discuss.

To learn more about our world class and Olympic coaches, LISOT leadership, the mentorship program or how to get involved, please contact us.