Founded in 1993, the CYCA Youth Sailing Academy is Australia’s most accomplished youth sailing program and one of the leading academies of its kind in the world. Over three decades, the YSA has shaped more than 500 young sailors — from first-timers discovering the water to champions competing on the world stage.
Not everyone who comes through the YSA becomes a professional sailor and that’s entirely the point. The program builds confidence, teamwork, resilience and a lifelong love of the sport. For many, the YSA is simply where sailing began.
The YSA in numbers
World Championships Overview
The CYCA is currently the most successful Club to compete at the World Sailing Youth Match Racing World Championship, competing in the finals six times from seven appearances.
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Cole Tapper, Jack Frewin, Chelsea Williams, Joel Beashel and Hamish Vass
Sydney, Australia
Cole Tapper, Max Brennan, Chelsea Williams and Hamish Vass
Auckland, New Zealand
James Hodgson, Harry Hall, Nick Rozenauers and Louis Schofield
Yekaterinburg, Russia
Tom Grimes, James Hodgson, Jess Grimes and Harry Hall
Los Angeles, USA
Harry Price, Angus Williams and Tara Blanc-Ramos
Noumea, New Caledonia
Harry Price, Angus Williams and Ben Robinson
Notable Alumni
Will Ryan
Olympic gold medallist (Tokyo 2020) and silver medallist (Rio 2016). Five-time 470 World Champion, SailGP sailor.
Olivia Price
Olympic silver medallist (London 2012) and 2024 Olympian.
Lucinda Whitty
Olympic silver medallist (London 2012).
Sam Newton
2013 America’s Cup champion (ORACLE Team USA), three-time SailGP champion (2020, 2021, 2022) — Team Australia and The Ocean Race competitor.
Kyle Langford
2013 America’s Cup champion (ORACLE Team USA), three-time SailGP champion (2020, 2021, 2022) – Team Australia and The Ocean Race competitor.
Cole Tapper
Andoo Team Australia Youth America’s Cup Skipper, 61st Congressional Cup winner, 2-time Governor’s Cup winner (2024, 2025) and 2024 world champion.
Andy Green
Rolex Sydney Hobart winner, Rolex Fastnet winner, Admirals Cup winner
Seve Jarvin
Record nine-time 18ft Skiff champion, Governor’s Cup winner (2003), Etchells national champion, Australian match racing champion.
The YSA develops the whole sailor. Coaching at the YSA goes beyond boat speed — sailors are taught racing rules, tactics, campaign planning, physical fitness, sail trim and boat maintenance. The program builds character as much as skill, and the friendships formed on the water often last a lifetime.
The boats. All YSA training and School Holiday Courses are conducted on the Academy’s fleet of Elliott 7m keelboats — serious, responsive keelboats that give young sailors a genuine racing experience on Sydney Harbour from day one.
The YSA Pathway
School Holiday Course
The entry point. Four days on the water, open to all levels aged 13–18.
Winter Squads
Progress through TSS, DMR and Advanced Squad training programs.
Regattas & beyond
Represent the CYCA in local, national and international competition.
