Sailing courses for children and teenagers
Our courses are also open to non-members of the Club.
Weekly cruise school, From Sunday to Saturday, for teens aged 12 to 17, aboard Grampus—an offshore sailing yacht that can host up to nine students, plus three instructors/chaperones.
This year’s cruises begin on June 22 and run through mid-July, with an exciting destination: the French Riviera!
The Course
The Cruise College offers a unique experience, giving participants the chance to spend a week outdoors with peers, sailing, learning the basic maneuvers of a cruising yacht, and becoming familiar with the sea, weather, and traditional maritime skills.
The objective of the course is to offer teenagers a complete sailing and onboard living experience, combining learning and cruising in a single educational and fun program. Through navigation and life on board, participants develop a passion for the sea, independence, teamwork, and personal responsibility, while learning the basics of handling a sailing yacht in a safe and guided environment.
The course takes place on board Grampus as a true sailing experience, with embarkation in Genoa and routes along the French Riviera or Sardinia. A typical day runs from 07:30 wake-up to 23:30 lights out, combining sailing activities, training, and life on board. The program includes physical activity, boat tidying and cleaning, briefings and theoretical lessons, as well as sailing sessions both in the morning and afternoon. Swimming breaks, beach games, and active participation in preparing lunch and dinner are also part of the experience, allowing students to fully engage in all aspects of life on board in a spirit of collaboration and sharing.
No prior sailing experience is required: the course is open both to beginners and to those with some initial experience. Participants must be able to swim and hold a valid medical certificate for non-competitive sports activities.
The course is designed for teenagers who wish to spend a week aboard a sailing yacht with their peers, sharing a sporting and educational experience in close contact with the sea. It is ideal for those who want to approach offshore sailing or further develop their skills in a group setting.
Price
Travel costs to reach the departure base are covered by the parents. The chaperone for the round trip from Genoa is covered by us.
Giuseppe Damante
Giuseppe Damante, born in Syracuse in 1976 and father of two daughters, moved to Genoa in 1998. A sailing instructor with the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) since 1996, he mainly raced Laser class boats in his youth, achieving notable results also at international level. He has taken part in numerous offshore regattas throughout the Mediterranean, including as a crew member in the 1995 Giro d’Italia a Vela, further developing his experience. He has worked as a coach for several sailing clubs across Italy, qualifying crews for World Championships first in the 420 class and later in the ILCA class. In addition to holding an unlimited offshore sailing licence, he is a Level II Federal Instructor for both dinghies and offshore sailing. Since 2024, he has been part of the FIV First Zone Instructor Training team, as well as the national instructor training programme of the Italian Naval League, and serves as an examiner for the practical section of boating licences. In 2025, he joined the Yacht Club Italiano staff as an instructor for offshore sailing courses and was appointed skipper of the flagship vessel Grampus, on which he runs courses of all levels, with a particular focus on Cruise College programmes for teenage sailors.
Paolo Vianson
Paolo Vianson is a professional in the yachting sector, active in education and training related to navigation. He collaborates with organizations such as Yacht Club Italiano, where he is primarily responsible for coordinating our offshore sailing and boating licence courses, overseeing the development of training programmes and the organisation of both theoretical and practical activities.
Dedicated programs designed to guide children and young people in developing nautical skills and sporting values.
