Improving Skills

Objective

To develop the skills and knowledge you need in order to set up and sail the boat more effectively and in moderate conditions.  This course will also prepare you for the specialist courses ahead.

Previous knowledge / experience

You will be expected to have completed, or have experience equivalent to, the Basic Skills course and have been sailing regularly. If you have not been regularly practising these skills you will need to do so prior to this course at least 10 hrs as helm.

Types of Boats

This course may be completed in any type of sailing dinghy, small keel boat or catamaran.  Your certificate will show what type of boat(s) you used.

Duration

5 - 15 days

Assessment

Assessment is continuous throughout the course. However, your instructor may also choose to use a formal practical assessment of boat handling skills and a short written paper or oral interview in assessing your level of background knowledge.

 

By the end of this course you will be able to do the following:

Clothing & equipment	Describe why you should wear a Personal Floatation Device.
Sailing Techniques & manoeuvres	Identify which direction the wind is blowing from. As both helm and as crew, Reach across the wind Stop the boat Turn the boat through the wind (Tack) Help balance the boat Raise and lower the dagger or centreboard and rudder
Capsize recovery	Explain why it is important to stay with a capsized or inverted boat.
What next...	Describe how to continue sailing and develop your skills and knowledge