Teach Dinghy Sailing E-Book

Gaz Harrison

• Herausgeber: Fernhurst Books Limited
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2008

Beschreibung

Whether drifting in Optimists or skimming the water in a catamaran, the principles of instruction are the same and the major difficulty is communicating knowledge. This is a step-by-step course in how to teach beginners to sail safely and effectively. It takes you through the basics of teaching someone to sail from their point of view and gives constant tips on how to help the student understand new ideas. For every new concept introduced there are off-the-water instructions, plus exercises to do once on the water. The book is illustrated with step-by-step photography and artwork, and every section includes 'Top Tips' and 'Watch Out!' information. Whether you are embarking on a career coaching sailing or looking to teach your children to sail, this step-by-step guide will get the best out of you and your students.

Leseprobe

Teach Dinghy Sailing

GAZ HARRISON

Copyright © 2017 Fernhurst Books Limited

62 Brandon Parade, Holly Walk, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4JE, UK [phone] | www.ferhurstbooks.com

First published in 2008 by John WIley & Sons Ltd

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except under the terms of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 or under the terms of a license issued by The Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd, Saffron House, 6-10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS, UK, without the permission in writing of the Publisher.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book are trade names, service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. The Publisher is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold on the understanding that the Publisher is not engaged in rendering professional services. If professional advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The Publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions, or for any accidents or mishaps which may arise from the use of this publication.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN 978-0-470-72550-4 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-912177-49-3 (eBook) ISBN 978-1-912177-50-9 (Mobi)

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Peter Gordon, Shay Foley, Tony Hodgson, Rockley Watersports, Poole Sailability, Steve Curtler, Clare Butterfield and Oliver Scrimshaw.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Part 1 How to Teach Dinghy Sailing

1.1 Pre-Course Requirements

First aid course

Powerboat training

Sailing skills test

Sailing in a circle

Man overboard (MOB) recovery

Sail a triangular course

Follow the leader

Picking up a mooring

Coming alongside

Sailing backwards

Sailing rudderless

Lee shore launching and landing

Capsize recovery

1.2 Teaching Sailing: First Steps

Sailing back to basic

1.3 Personal Sailing Gear

1.4 Rigging the Boat

1.5 How to Launch

1.6 Getting Ready to Go Afloat for the First Time 26

Balance

Sail control

Centreboard

Keeping a good lookout

Responding to the helm’s instructions

Time to go sailing

1.7 Preparing the Students to Take the Helm

First time on the helm

1.8 Teaching Tacking

Reasons for land drills

Tacking with centre main land drill

Tacking with aft main land drill

Preparing the boat for a land drill

Preparing the students for a land drill

Teaching tacking on the water

1.9 Teaching Sailing to Windward

Theory

On the water

Time for the students to have a go

1.10 The Five Essentials and Downwind Sailing

The classroom session

On the water

Time for the students to have a go

1.11 Teaching Gybing

Land drill for teaching the gybe

Land drill for a centre-main gybe

Aft-main gybe

Preparing the boat for the land drill gybe

Teaching the land drill gybe

Teaching the gybe on the water

1.12 Steep Learning Curve

1.13 Teaching Sailing a Triangle

Teaching triangles on the water

Part 2 How to Teach from a Support Boat

2.1 Teaching from a Support Boat

Key points that make a good session

Land training

Briefing

Communication/group control

Observation

Intervention

Powerboat handling

Debriefing

2.2 Your First Single-Handed Session for Beginners

2.3 Teaching Other Courses

2.4 Going on to the Water

2.5 What You Need in Your Support Boat

2.6 Teaching Sessions

Fun racing

Game: fender bender

Game: attack and defence

Buddy sailing

2.7 Early in the Course

Qualities of instructors

Teaching ratios

2.8 Presentation

2.9 Shore-based Teaching Toolbox

2.10 Other Required Skills

Towing from a support boat

Towing tricks

Part 3 Advanced Sailing, Catamaran Sailing and Racing

3.1 Before You Start

3.2 Teaching High Performance

Clothing and personal kit

Rigging the boat

Launching the boat

3.3 On the Water for the First Time in a Fast Boat

3.4 Coaching from a Moving Support Boat

3.5 Teaching Asymmetric Spinnakers

Launching the spinnaker

Setting the spinnaker

Gybing the spinnaker

Dropping the spinnaker

3.6 Teaching Asymmetric Spinnakers on the Water

Wind and tide

The sailing area

The type of boat

The support boat

3.7 Teaching Symmetrical Spinnakers

3.8 Teaching Trapezing

What is trapezing?

What kit do the students need?

How and when do they get out on the trapeze?

How do they stay out and stay stable?

How and when do they get back in?

3.9 Teaching Catamaran Sailing

3.10 Teaching Racing

How to race

How to start

How to sail the course

How to finish

How to apply the rules

Index

How to teach dinghy sailing

1.1 Pre-Course Requirements

1.2 Teaching Sailing: First Steps

1.3 Personal Sailing Gear

1.4 Rigging the Boat

1.5 How to Launch

1.6 Getting Ready to Go Afloat for the First Time

1.7 Preparing the Students to Take the Helm

1.8 Teaching Tacking

1.9 Teaching Sailing to Windward

1.10 The Five Essentials and Downwind Sailing

1.11 Teaching Gybing

1.12 Steep Learning Curve

1.13 Teaching Sailing a Triangle

Lots of young people taking a gap year think that a summer in the sun teaching sailing is just the job. But, before you start applying for work, gaining a Dinghy Instructor’s Certificate will help you land the best jobs with the best companies. This book is intended as a guide for anyone who is planning to attend an instructor’s course, as well as for anyone who teaches sailing in any capacity.

In most countries the teaching of sailing is governed by approved national organisations, such as the AYF in Australia and the RYA in the UK, which are responsible for the standard of training. Most countries that are big on sailing have training programmes that go from beginner to advanced for both children and adults. To run these programmes the organisations need qualified instructors.

1.1 Pre-Course Requirements

In most countries, in order to train as an instructor you will need to have fulfilled some pre-course requirements. These generally include first aid, powerboating and sailing ability.

First Aid Course

Most first aid courses are run over eight hours. You will be taught useful first aid skills such as resuscitating a casualty, controlling bleeding, treating hypothermia, immobilising fractures and evacuating an injured person. These courses are intended to give instructors a basic knowledge of first aid to help them keep their students safe when sailing.

Powerboat Training

Powerboating skills are an important part of being an instructor because you will do a lot of your teaching from a powerboat. Once you have learned how to use a powerboat, some extra practice is very helpful. Practise the slow-speed manoeuvres, as these will be very useful when you are in large groups of boats.

Sailing Skills Test

Unlike some sports, to be able to teach sailing you must be a competent sailor. To assess the sailing ability of would-be instructors, organisations may ask applicants to perform a series of sailing manoeuvres. These are listed below, together with some tips on how to improve your chances of passing.

Sailing in a Circle

The next time you go on the water, try sailing in a circle – 10 times in one direction and then 10 in the other – keeping the circles to within about three boat lengths. If you can do that without losing control, and applying four of the Five Essentials (most assessors won’t worry about the centreboard position), you can move on to the next manoeuvre. (See Section 1.10 for more on the Five Essentials.)

Top Tip

Start by sailing a slow, wide circle, and then speed it up when you work out the technique.

Man Overboard (MOB) Recovery

This is a test of your wind awareness and your boat control at slow speed. The first time that I was asked to sail my boat slowly I thought that the assessor had gone mad! Try to pick up the MOB between a beam reach and close-hauled with the MOB by the windward shroud and the boat all but stopped. Practise this on both tacks with the crew sat still in the middle of the boat doing nothing. (Don’t use a live crew member to practise on!)

Top Tip

Don’t gybe. Treat the MOB as if you were on the start line of a race, controlling your speed and trying to get to the pin end, but a bit early and needing to slow down.

Sail a Triangular Course

You may well be asked to sail a short, triangular course to demonstrate that you can apply the Five Essentials. The assessor will also be looking at your mark rounding and judging whether you are aware of any tide. Make certain that you don’t overstand the windward mark; picking the correct lay line is all-important when sailing upwind. All the equipment, trapezes and spinnakers (if carried) should be used when the conditions allow.

Top Tip

Treat the triangle as if you were racing.

Follow the Leader

Again, this is a speed control exercise and shows the assessor that you have good boat and wind awareness. Apply four of the Five Essentials (trim, sail set, centreboard and balance) correctly to make the boat go fast, always keeping the course the same as the lead boat. To slow the boat down, use the same four essentials and deliberately do them wrong, still keeping the same course as the lead boat. In strong winds, slowing down on runs or broad reaches by sheeting in can be tricky. Good communication with the crew is vital to keep good control.

Top Tip

Putting a foot over the side of the boat will slow it down. Some assessors don’t allow it. You may get away with using a bucket as a sea anchor.

Picking up a Mooring

This manoeuvre is one that poses a lot of problems for club sailors, who don’t do it that often. However, instructors have to. Stop and think about wind and tide before you start. You should approach into the tide most of the time. This means that you may have to sail upwind of the mooring and take down the mainsail to do the manoeuvre. Think about your approach and whether you have an escape route if anything goes wrong. A good crew briefing is essential, so that the crew know what you intend to do.

1.1 Correct technique for wind and tide together

1.2 Correct technique for wind against tide

1.3 Correct technique for no tide

Top Tip

When sailing with the mainsail down, have the centreboard fully down to keep the steering as positive as it can be.

Coming Alongside

You can do this by coming alongside a pontoon or a moored boat. When using a moored boat, treat it like a mooring. Coming alongside a pontoon requires careful thinking. In both cases, working on your approach and escape route is important. Try to use the tide to slow the boat down. Again, a good briefing to your crew is important as you may need to give them time to get fenders and mooring warps ready.

1.4 Correct technique for wind and tide together

1.5 Correct technique for wind against tide