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Sailing Lessons
Medford Boat Club Sailing Program
Opening Day Information Packet
June 5, 2010
Welcome to the 2010 Sailing Season!
Lessons
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This year the MBC will be running sailing classes for Beginners, Advanced Beginners, Intermediates, and Racing Tactics students. The sailing staff will be evaluating students for placement. There will also be sailing lessons for adult members. See Kerry O’Brien for more information regarding adult sailing lessons. Lessons for all classes begin Monday, June 28, 2010 and run through Friday, August 13th, with class regattas taking place the following week. The regatta schedule will be posted at the club in the designated area for the Sailing Program. Any announcements regarding the Sailing Program, regattas, results, news etc. will be posted in this area as well.
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All students signed up for sailing lessons must purchase a Coast Guard Approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)/Lifejacket for the first week of sailing lessons. See Sail Staff for further information.
In order to register for sailing lessons, children must be 8 years old on or before September 1, 2010.
Boats at the MBC are privately owned, for the most part. It is encouraged for you to arrange for a boat for your child's use in sailing lessons. The MBC owns 6 “club boats” for use in sailing lessons at the Beginner and Advanced Beginner levels. See a member of the Sail Staff or the Sailing Parent Committee for assistance in the process of purchasing a boat.
In order to participate in sailing lessons, children must complete the Sailing Swim Test before June 28th. See Swim Staff or Sail Staff for details.
The test is administered by the lifeguards. This test is important, and the kids are allowed to take it as many times as they want until they pass.
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SAILING CLASS SCHEDULE |
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Class |
Days |
Time |
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Beginner A |
Mon, Wed |
10:00 am-12:00 pm |
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Beginner B |
Tues, Thurs |
10:00 am-12:00 pm |
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Advanced Begin. |
M,T,W |
12:30-2:30 pm |
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Intermediates |
M,W, |
2:30-4:30 pm (M,W)
Thur. 12:30-2:30pm |
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Racing Tactics |
TBD |
TBD |
Fridays will be reserved as a test day. Friday mornings, students, upon staff approval, will be given the opportunity to test out of their level by demonstrating their skill set.
Beginner
Teaches the fundamentals of sailing for novice and younger sailors. Sailors will sail in an N10 with a partner, partners or solo. Sailors will be instructed in rowing, rigging of boats, basic maneuvering, and safety.
To advance from Beginner to Advanced Beginner the sailor demonstrates the following skills while sailing alone / independently:
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How to rig/derig boat
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Tie square knot, eight knot, bowline and cleat
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Identify major parts of the boat including the main-sheet, boom vang, cunningham/downhaul, outhaul, halyard, blades
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Sail upwind (stay close-hauled for the entire upwind leg, should not have trouble getting stuck in irons)
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Let his/her sail out appropriately on the downwind or reach leg
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Know the standard 3 minute dinghy start
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Know which tack is starboard/port and port-starboard right of way rules
The overall importance of this test is to make sure that the child understands the wind. He/she should understand that it is the interaction between the wind and the sail that makes them move, and therefore they must pay attention to their sail, keep the right sail trim, and know where the wind is coming from.
Advanced Beginner
Sailors will have passed the Beginner level and should sail solo or with one other partner in an N10. Sailors will work on refining basic sailing techniques and building up to racing.
To advance from Advanced Beginner to Intermediate the sailor demonstrates the following skills while sailing alone / independently:
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Sail an EFFICIENT upwind course.
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Show a general understanding of the shape of his/her sail, and how to adjust it.
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Have a general understanding of the racing rules of sailing including windward/leeward and buoy room.
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Show efficient tacking method (roll tack, switching hands behind back).
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Have correct posture in boat
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Sail in at least 4 weekend regattas at the MBC.
Intermediates
Sailors will have passed the skill-set test to pass from Advanced Beginner to Intermediates. At the intermediate level students will work on the skills they have acquired to this point, as well as further develop their racing strategies. In order to pass form Intermediates to Racing Tactics, students must demonstrate that they are able to:
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Begin to sail a TACTICAL race course, start to finish.
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Understand the intricacies of sail shape/trim and be comfortable adjusting throughout the race course
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Understand the more complex racing rules, and the penalties for such rule infractions
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Roll tacking, weight distribution and balance are part of the sailor’s racing technique
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Student must have regular attendance at lessons, sail the majority of weekend regattas. They should have participated in at least 1 off-lake regatta during the season.
Racing Tactics
Sailors will have passed Intermediate level. Sailors are taught the advanced tactics of racing using the club's 420 racing boats. This class races most days during lessons and is encouraged to compete both on and off the lake.
Adult
Adult lesson are taught in a casual and fun learning environment and cover basics of sailing and racing. The season will culminate with a class regatta. See Kerry O’Brien for details.
Sailing Program Schedule is subject to change depending on the number of participants enrolled. The class rosters and finalized schedule will be posted at the club ON OR BEFORE WEDNESDAY JUNE 23th, 2010.
Any questions should be directed to Kerry O’Brien, Head Sailing Instructor.
Kerry’s contact information is:
Thank you for your interest in the MBC Sailing Program and we look forward to a fun and memorable sailing season!
Kerry O’Brien
Sail Staff
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