Get Ready: SHARKS Enrolment for Season 2026/27 Opens July 1st!
We are thrilled to announce that enrolment for the upcoming
SHARKS 2026/27 Season
will officially open on
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Enrollment Guideline and Policy.
Application Process
1. Choose Your Group. Review our program details carefully. Select the group that best aligns with the sailor’s age and current sailing skills.
2. Submit Your Application. Complete and submit the online application form during the registration window 1
stto 31
stJuly 2026.
3. Review & Shortlisting. Once applications close, our coaching team reviews all candidates against group eligibility criteria and available slot capacity. Successful applicants will receive an email confirming their selection.
4. Waiting list. Applicants not immediately accepted will be put on the waiting list. If a confirmed sailor drops out the next eligible applicant will be contacted.
5. Assessment Trial (If required). If the coaching team needs to evaluate a sailor's skills to ensure the right group fits, they will be invited to a practical trial session.
6. Parent of successful applicants are expected to attend the pre
‑
season briefing session.
7. Schedule & Code of Conduct. Confirmed sailors will receive their official training schedule and the Sailors’ Code of Conduct. This form must be signed by both the sailor and a parent/guardian.
Selection Policy
To ensure a fair, and safe environment for all participants, the Sharks program operates under a selection policy. Because coaching resources and safety ratios are strictly managed, program capacity is capped.
-
Criteria-Based Selection: Candidates are evaluated based on age, sailing experience, and slot availability.
-
Finality of Decisions: All selection decisions made by the coaching staff are final. There will be no appeal process regarding placement outcomes.
-
Capacity & Safety Caps: To maintain high-quality coaching and strict safety standards, group sizes are rigidly fixed. Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee a spot.
-
Future Opportunities: Being placed on the waiting list is not a permanent rejection. Spaces frequently open up throughout the season and waiting-list candidates are prioritized as spots become available.
2026/27 Coaching fees for all squads include:
-Regular weekend training (1 or 2 days) from September to May 2026/2027
-Coaching support at club racing
-Coaching support at regattas
-Regular weekday training (1 afternoon per week)
-Holiday clinics (3-4 day clinics during school holidays)
-Boat moving costs (this year sailors will not need to pay an additional fee per boat move)
Sailors will still be expected to assist with preparing and loading/unloading boats.
-Weekly Fitness training (1 evening per week) – Performance teams.
-Eligibility for club subvention and support for overseas regattas.
-Club run seminars and talks from guest coaches/sailors.
-RHKYC Sharks Team Racing Bib
-Sharks team kit.
Please note, the Sharks program costs are subsidised by RHKYC and are significantly below the per-day training rate.
RHKYC SHARKS RACING SQUADS 2026/27
Places in the performance teams will be confirmed by Friday August 15
th.
Discrepancy
between squads in terms of training days/hours is not reflected in the fees. Some months may have less training days due to club events/coach availability.
The club owns limited numbers of boats and sailors are encouraged to obtain their own boat. For
ILCAs
and 29ers, the club has a limited supply of boats which will be allocated on a season-long basis. Sailors who do not have their own boat may not be given a place on the team if
there are
insufficient
club boats.
Sharks Training Policies:
The Sharks Program is built on a team first ethos where sailors are expected to train with, support and motivate each other to achieve success. This is not possible if sailors are not committed to the team. If a sailor is unable to attend training sessions or regattas, they are expected to notify coaches beforehand. Whilst organised Sharks training sessions or Sharks attended regattas (local or overseas) are ongoing, Sharks team sailors will commit to training/racing with the Sharks team and not independently or under a private coach without seeking permission of the RHKYC Middle Island Sailing and Marine Manager in writing beforehand. Sharks team members must also abide by the RHKYC bye-laws prohibiting the use of private coaches or instructors on site. Any breaches of this policy may be grounds for expulsion from the Sharks.
The structure for the teams will be as follows:
SHARKS JUNIOR PROGRAM (Ages 8-14):
1)Junior Racing Development Team
(
formerly Optimist Silver Squad, Gold Squad and Optimist Development team).
Ages 8-13yrs
Training days and times: Sundays 0900-1700hrs
Development team sailors will also be expected to participate in club racing on
S
undays and may be invited during the season to train with
the Junior performance team depending on performance in training and club racing results.
2)Junior Performance
Racing Team
(Formerly Optimist Performance team)
Ages 9-14yrs
Training days and times:
Saturdays and Sundays 0930-1630hrs
Wednesdays 1600-1800hrs
Thursdays (Fitness) 1800-1930hrs
Monthly coaching fee 3,300 HKD
Sailors must have their own equipment, 10% discount in the coaching fees for the private boat owners
Boats Sailed: This squad will primarily race Optimists, but will have the opportunity to race other boats during the season.
Minimum entry standard and requirements:
Applicants are expected to have raced consistently for at least one season. The team will be selected on a combination of 1. Club racing results, 2. Training performance/attendance in prior seasons (if sailing at RHKYC), 3. performance in RHKYC Racing clinics, 4. Results in other regattas, 5.
Pre-season trials (if required).
All sailors in this team must be a cadet member.
SHARKS YOUTH RACING PROGRAM (Ages 12-18):
1)
Youth
Racing Development Team
(Formerly Youth Silver Squad)
Ages 12-16yrs
Training days and times: Sundays 0900-1700hrs
Development team sailors will also be expected to participate in club racing on
S
undays and may be invited during the season to train with
the ILCA/29er teams depending on performance in training and club racing results.
Monthly coaching fee 1,600 HKD
10% discount in the coaching fees for the private boat owners.
Boats Sailed: Fusion, ILCA, RS Feva, RS Quest, Laser Vago, 29er
Minimum entry standard and requirements:
Applicants for this program are expected to have completed HKSF Level 2 (or equivalent)
AND
have completed a RHKYC Racing clinic / have some existing club racing experience.
2
)ILCA 4/6
Ages 12+
Training days and times:
Saturdays and Sundays 0930-1630hrs
Wednesdays 1600-1800hrs
Thursdays (Fitness) 1800-1930hrs
Monthly coaching fee 3,300 HKD
Limited number of boats/equipment can be provided by the YC,
, 10% discount in the coaching fees for the private boat owners
Minimum entry standard and requirements:
Applicants are expected to have raced consistently for at least one season. The team will be selected on a combination of 1. Club racing results, 2. Training performance/attendance in prior seasons (if sailing at RHKYC), 3. performance in RHKYC Racing clinics, 4. Results in other regattas, 5.
Pre-season trials (if required).
All sailors in this team must be a cadet member.
3
)
Sharks
29er
Squad
Ages 12+
Training days and times:
Saturdays and Sundays 0930-1630hrs
Wednesdays 1600-1800hrs
Thursdays (Fitness) 1800-1930hrs
Monthly coaching fee 3,300 HKD
Limited number of boats/equipment can be provided by the YC,
, 10% discount in the coaching fees for the private boat owners
Minimum entry standard and requirements:
Applicants are expected to have raced consistently for at least one season. The team will be selected on a combination of 1. Club racing results, 2. Training performance/attendance in prior seasons (if sailing at RHKYC), 3. performance in RHKYC Racing clinics, 4. Results in other regattas, 5.
Pre-season trials (if required).
All sailors in this team must be a cadet member.
