The Little Washington Sailing Club is advancing its sailing-instruction program by offering an advanced class for those learning how to sail.

The club first offered classes to beginning sailors in 2009. Entering its third year, the club’s 2011 season includes a one-week, day-long advanced session and a one-week, day-long session for beginning sailors. That’s in addition to its usual offering of two-week sessions, with some of these sessions held in the mornings and others held in the afternoons.

The club’s mission is to provide a sailing program for youth that encourages them to enjoy recreational sailing along the city’s waterfront and Pamlico River. The program is designed to promote self-reliance, teamwork, safety awareness, sportsmanship and self-confidence.

Sailing instructor Andrea Radford, who’s certified by U.S. Sailing Association, returns for the 2011 season.

Kevin Clancy, the club’s program director, said the new classes were added in response to feedback from former sailing students and parents.

“We’ve had a number of students that have been interested in a one-week session,” Clancy said. “Many of our students attend while they’re in town visiting family, and it can be difficult to plan for a two-week class. This will enable us to condense two weeks of instruction into an all-day, one-week format to accommodate those scheduling needs.”

After taking an initial basic-sailing class, some students took additional basic-sailing classes to log more time on the water in an effort to gain more sailing experience, according to a club press release.

“Some students have been in the class multiple times, so there’s definitely some interest in stepping up to the next level,” Clancy said. “Andrea has a lot of racing experience, so she can really help with some of the advanced techniques. Having an instructor who’s already familiar with our program will be a big benefit this year.”

Clancy can help with the sailing instruction after participating in a course to develop sailing instructors last year. The 40-hour course included classroom instruction on hands-on instruction on the Pamlico River off the Washington waterfront. The hands-on instruction included a series of drills and on-water formations for the instructor-trainees to perform.

In an interview last year, Clancy described the four-day course as “demanding.”

Bill Walker, a volunteer with the club, said he’s pleased with the success of the sailing classes provided in 2009 and 2010.

“I think the third year coming up looks to be a significantly better year in term of registrations,” Walker said Thursday.

“I think so,” Walker said when asked if the advanced class being offered this year will prove popular.

A class can accommodate 12 students, and 10 children have already signed up for the advanced class, he said.

“We don’t know at this point,” he said when asked if another advanced class would be offered this year or next year. “If the demand is there, that could happen. I’m not sure about this year.”

The schedule for the two-week sessions for beginning sailors has those sessions beginning June 13, June 27, July 11 and July 25. Students may opt for either a morning session, beginning at 8:30 a.m., or an afternoon session, beginning at 1:30 p.m.

The one-week, all-day session for beginning sailors begins Aug. 8 and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

The one-week, all-day session for advanced sailors begins Aug. 15 and runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. To enroll in this class, students must have successfully completed one of the club’s classes for beginning sailors.

Application packets for the 2011 season are available. The cost for each class is $200. Scholarships may be available for eligible students. The club is working with the Beaufort County Boys & Girls Club to identify youngsters to take advantage of such scholarship opportunities.

Prospective students must be ages 10 through 18, weigh at least 70 pounds and pass a swim test.

For information on how to support the Little Washington Sailing Club, or to apply for sailing classes later this year, call 252-946-3969, or visit www.littlewashingtonsailingclub.org. The club has a Facebook page.

Jules Norwood, who is associated with Carolina Wind Yachting Center and a former Washington Daily News employee, contributed to this report.