Sailing after NCS...

What comes next?

For NCS sailors who have aged out of our programs or no longer have the time to commit to a full program during the summer, there are still many ways to get out on the water. Below you will find just a few examples on how to stay involved in the sport of sailing, after sailing in an NCS program.

Sail in college
Many college sailing teams rely heavily on beginner sailors; even with minimal experience, you will be an asset. And if you are a more experienced/advanced sailor, most colleges would love to have you on their team! Email the captain or coach of the team at your school to get involved. The level of commitment and participation varies at every school, so check it out and see if it fits your needs!

Nicole Quattrocchi (above left) sailing for Brown University, and Jake Bradt (below left) sailing for Harvard University. Both have found great success on the water after their time learning and teaching for NCS.

Crew on a big boat
Boat owners are always looking for crew for weekend race series. Whether you're a beginner or more advanced, as long as you're interested in gaining some experience crewing, you'll be a welcomed addition on any boat. To find crewing opportunities, check out the crew finder website at Nantucket Yacht Club throughout the summer. You may also visit the Nantucket Race Week crew finder page and list your experience and desire to get out on the water during one of the summer's most exciting weeks on the water! This is a really fun way to stay involved in sailing.

Become an NCS instructor
Give back! Every year, NCS hires 45 seasonal instructors, many of whom have learned to sail within our NCS programs. You must be 14+ years to apply to be an instructor, and you must take the US Sailing Small Boat Instructor Level 1 certification course, First Aid and CPR courses. Positions for new employees range from Whalers instructor, Water Sports Beach Class instructor, to Jetties Sailing Center employee. Click here to view the NCS Employment page and application.

Get a JSC Membership
A great way to have regular access to the water is through our Jetties Sailing Center. Individual or Family membership pricing can be found on our Jetties Sailing Center Membership page. If you're looking for a refresher, you can take sailing lessons at a discounted rate, and once you pass an open sailing checkout, you can take one of our sailboats out on your own! This is a great way to stay involved with the sport in a more casual manner.

Buy a boat
Used boats are always for sale on-island and off. Keep your eyes peeled for classified ads - a Sunfish is an example of an affordable, accessible boat to keep on your beach. In fact, NCS occasionally has a boat or two for sale and advertises it on the Boat Sales/Leases page of our website or you might find one for sail through the local classified ads. If you're looking to buy new, consider contacting a dealer like Sturgis Boat Works in Yarmouth, MA.

Veteran Instructor Pat Ryan bought himself a sailboat in May 2013. His Perry 41 named Stella Maris needed a lot of work and he dedicated much of his time to getting her into tip top shape. In 2014 he sailed her up the coast and called Nantucket home for the summer.