Another Classroom // Parking Lot session

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Well, we did not have the opportunity to go sailing today.

BUT we are committed to improving and learning; we certainly accomplished that. After working at learning parts of the boat, terminology, and getting a chance to see how it all works together, we review a bit to make sure this is truly known & familiar... and we have a couple more steps to take with some new material.




Is this a lot of "stuff" to learn? Yes
Do we need to learn this? Only if you want to actually be able to sail. Look at it this way, you will not be able to drive a car if you are not sure what the pedals do, what that dial means on the dashboard, or what the big round thing does. In order to sail, you need to know the ropes & knots, you need to be able to rig the boat correctly from putting on the rudder to hoisting the sails, and you need to know what the ropes do... when to pull in? when to ease out? ... and of course, what that stick thing does.


Looks like we pretty much GOT that part!

On to really sailing the boat!!!

HERE (link) is our Sailing Lessons On-Line page... just for a refresher, yeah sure...

 < here's a photo of today's practice. Coach Rezab is helping these cadets learn how to TACK (link to lesson) which comes in handy because our river is not wide enough to keep sailing the same direction forever. You have to turn around at some point.


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Today's lesson introduced POINTS Of SAIL.

This is absolutely critical knowledge, along with wind direction. If you know these two things, sailing will be relatively easy. If you don't learn this diagram, expect to be fuddled next time we go out on the water.






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 The skipper and crew each have their places in the boat, and each have their tasks.

Next time we sail, more FJs and (hopefully) more cadets doing some REAL sailing ... ie no coach at your side, telling what to do!




... posted by Assistant Coach Douglas King




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