You can learn a lot in the parking lot

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Pilots have ground school before they can fly an airplane. We sailor have something similar, especially because pilots don't need to assemble their planes before flying!

We need to learn how to rig the boats before we can sail. Today's lesson for the beginners focused on parts of the boat, how it all goes together, and the terminology.

This photo is the ADVANCED sailors stepping the mast on one of our Javelins. The beginners are all in the classroom at this point.

Yes, you will need to know this! Here is our on-line lesson about BASIC boat parts & terminology. If you missed today's class, you can still get into the Sailing Squad but we only have so many days and a lot of things to learn & do, so work to catch up!

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 Before you can sail a boat, you need to know how the sails go up & down. Before you can make the sails go up & down, you need to know about the MAST (and of course the BOOM too), about halyards and cleats We start with these very basics to the cadets learn the TEAMWORK of rigging up their own boats. .. .. ... ..... ........ .......... ...... ...... ...... .... .... ...... ...... ...... .......... This photo is our beginners starting with the most basic skill.... how to sit in a boat. Not a joke, there are at least several wrong ways to do it!

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Here's the engine that makes it go!

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This coming SATURDAY we will be out at Bridgeton Harbor cleaning the boats & getting them more ready for the fall semester's sailing. Time= 1200 (or noon for those who have not gotten the hang of military time)

Just to be sure, here is the semester's calendar

Mon, Sep 9... 1500 (3pm) or ASAP after school   already done

Sat, Sep 14... Bridgeton Harbor 1200
Mon, Sep 16... 1500 (3pm) or ASAP after school

Sat, Sep 21 ... 0900 (9am) to 1300 (1pm)
Mon, Sep 23... 1500 (3pm) or ASAP after school
Mon, Sep 30...
Mon, Oct 7...

Sat, Oct 12... MUMFest
Sat, Oct 19... 0900 (9am) to 1300 (1pm)
Mon, Oct 21... 1500 (3pm) or ASAP after school
Mon, Oct 28...
Sat, Nov 2... 0900 (9am) to 1300 (1pm)
Mon, Nov 4...
Mon, Nov 28...

... posted by Assistant Coach Douglas King