In this class, you will learn to sail a small boat using U.S. Sailing's "Learn Sailing Right" curriculum. Each student will be provided with U.S. Sailing's "Beginning Sailing" textbook. The textbook can be picked up at the clubhouse before the class or on the first day of class. Topics to be covered include:
- Sailing theory and wind awareness
- Boat handling, docking, and sail trim
- Safety
- Boating rules of the road
- Sailing terminology
- Rigging and basic knots
- Capsize recovery
Please bring clothes that you can get wet in to each day of class. The small boats that the class are taught in can capsize quite readily on windy days. Capsizing in a small sailboat is a common occurrence, and as part of the class, you will practice capsize recoveries so that you are familiar with how to recover the boat if you do capsize. A swim test is also part of the class - you will be asked to swim approximately 50 feet while wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).
Items to Bring:
- Closed-toe footwear you are comfortable wearing in the water and while sailing (flip flops are not a good option since they can fall off very easily.)
- Personal Flotation Device - LWSC has PFDs that can be used if you don't have your own.
- Hat with visor
- Sunglasses
- A CHANGE OF DRY CLOTHES, TOWEL, AND DRY SHOES!
- SNACKS AND WATER
Learning how to rig the boats will be covered in the class, but if you would like to get a head start, you are welcome to view this video made by LWSC members on how to rig a Sunfish:
LWSC Sunfish Rigging Video
Also, it would be helpful to start learning the knots that are important for sailing. You can start learning these knots on the Animated Knots website:
Animated Knots. The most important ones to review for this class are the
- cleat hitch (halyard);
- bowline;
- round turn and two half hitches;
- square knot;
- figure 8 knot.