Sailing

A Flat Boat is a Fast Boat

A flat boat is a fast boat! - Keep your boat and sail trim in the correct place and hike out to the max and you will get the best out of your boat. Do not forget to use the toe straps or you will end up getting a wet surprise! Jono Keay - Instructor

A FLAPPY sail is an UNHAPPY sail!

Sails work best when sheeted in just enough to stop the luff (leading edge of the sail) flapping. Pulling the sails in too tight (over sheeting) will stall the sails and slow the boat down. For perfect sail setting, let the sail out until it just starts to flap, then pull it in until it just stops flapping. Caroline Pearson - Senior Instructor

Tip for Instructing

What I hear I forget, What I see I remember, What I do, I learn
Think about how much you talk when you are instructing – a classic example with sailing is a tacking or gybing land drill. We tend to talk far too much and all the evidence shows that people simply do not remember what they hear. What they remember much better are demonstrations followed by the chance for them to practice. A really useful coaching model is used to great effect by kayak coaches – IDEAS

Introduction - “We are going to learn how to turn our boat around”
Demonstration – Demonstrate the manoeuvre, (and this is the crucial bit - without talking)
Explanation – explain what people have just seen; generally at first (“I was sailing the boat backwards and forwards across the wind and, each time I turned, the front of the boat turned towards the wind”) and then in more detail, probably including a land drill.
Activity – set your students a simple, achievable activity
Summarise – the review is essential; you may need to go back to the demonstration to correct errors. Make the summary active – use questioning to check understanding.

This will feel strange at first but it does give really good results – with any aspect of your coaching, always think “Hear, see, do”. John Smith - Head of Centre

Getting in to Yacht Racing

There are several ways to get into racing. The easiest is of course to go down to your local yacht club and put your name up on a notice board. Generally yacht owners are always up for new crew. The best thing to do is be honest and say you do not have any experience, or that you can sail dinghies etc. You will probably just be weight on the rail for the first few goes, to learn the roles on the boat, but with time you can move on as you gain experience.
If you are willing to travel then you can go on the RORC website and put a notice on there for free. You just add your contact details, list what you have done in the past and how far you are willing to travel and wait for a response.

Good luck! Will Lewis - Instructor

Difficulties Hoisting your Mainsail?

Remember these top tips....... Point the boat head-to-wind, make sure the kicking strap is released & make sure the mainsheet is released. You will normally find it is one of these causing you problems! Caroline Pearson - Senior Instructor

Planning ahead & Preventing incidents!

Always have an escape route planned! The best sailors will have a plan, and a back up plan. A stalled tack is only a problem when you have not left enough room for a second tack. Remember to give other boat users plenty of room - they may be less competent than you! Always carry a few spares with you - a lost shackle can spoil your day, a small bit of spare rope can fix many things temporarily. And generally, if you are still learning, do not be afraid to ask! Ask a question, be a fool for five minutes, Dont ask and be a fool forever! Paul Power - Deputy Cheif Instructor

Canoeing

Trouble paddling upwind?

If you are having trouble paddling your canoe upwind, try moving your weight forwards. This will dig the bow in and the stern will point naturally down wind. Simple but effective. Olly Harold - Instructor

Windsurfing

Water Starting

A big hurdle for any windsurfer is mastering the water start, (getting back on your board from the water after falling off!) The water start uses the wind to get you back on, saves you loads of energy and impresses onlookers! When water starting, mass foot pressure is the key - plenty of mass foot pressure equals an easier start, up to date kit certainly helps too, the lighter the rig the better. Paul Power - Deputy Cheif Instructor

Powerboating

Steer THEN Gear!

When turning in a confined space (a 3-point turn) there is one important thing to remember that will help you no end. Turn the wheel in the direction you want to go whilst in neutral, then once the wheel is turned, engage into gear. For example a clockwise turn: