- What is
the difference between on-water lessons and practice-sails?
Essentially, there is very little difference. Often the
same Instructors also offer practices; or you may be on a boat for a lesson with another
student who is "practicing."
"Lessons" mark important stages in your
learning to sail, and practice-sails are opportunities for you to apply and practice what
you were shown in a lesson, so that you can acquire a high level of reliable proficiency.
Practice-Skippers will concentrate on developing your skills so that you are ready for
your next lesson. You can take as many practice-sails between lessons as you wish.
There are 2 students on-board for practice-sails as
there are for lessons, taking turns at the tiller and jib. You will find you
learn just as much by observing another student perform the same procedures you are trying
to master.
- Are there enough boats and lessons available?
Last season there was never a shortage of boats, even
though there were often three or four lessons or practice sails running concurrently.
Lessons and practice sails are usually offered days and
evenings seven days a week, subject to weather conditions. They are given priority over recreational
uses of the boats, except for scheduled races in the racing program, which is
designed to provide you with more opportunities to practice.
- How do I get hold of instructors ?
Usually several Instructors and Practice-Skippers will
post their availability for a given week. It is most likely that at least one of the
posted times will match your schedule. If not, many Instructors and Practice-Skippers post
their phone numbers so that you can call them directly, and they can try to accommodate
you. If, by chance, you repeatedly have trouble finding lessons or practice-sails to fit
your schedule, you can call the Instruction Chair. A spell of bad weather is about the
only thing that should keep you from getting a Lesson of Practice-Sail when you need it.
By the end of the season, our Instructors and
Practice-Skippers will have given hundreds of lessons and spent over a thousand hours on
the water, helping you to learn to sail.
- How many Instructors are there?
Last year, about 1/2 of the Club's Yngling
rated Skippers were qualified as Instructors. The Instruction Chair qualifies
Instructors based on their proven sailing abilities. Any Skipper may offer to post
practice or recreational sails.
Click here for a recent List of approved Instructors
- How do I qualify to sail a boat on my own?
When you feel you are ready, you can sign up for a Yngling
Skipper's test, with an Instructor who is qualified and designated to conduct
Skipper's tests.
- Can I really learn to sail in these 5 lessons?
Yes, by getting in enough practice and recreational
sails between your lessons, so that you are confident and competent before moving on to
your next lesson. If you wanted to, you could stretch out your 5 lessons over the entire
season. Some might prefer taking the lessons a little more rapidly and then practice until
ready for their Skipper's test. Its your choice! You can get a better idea of
what might work best for you by talking with Instructors or Practice-Skippers and other
Club members you will meet at the dock.
- What does the Yngling
Skipper's test entail?
You go out for a 2-hour sail, in satisfactory
wind conditions, with a Skipper-tester, who will play the role of your crew. The Tester
will observe your ability to handle the boat confidently and attentively through all of
the required maneuvers, and your ability to forewarn and communicate to him/her everything
that you expect of your crew.
During the test, the Skipper-Tester may quiz you on
aspects of sail-trim under different conditions, on Right-of-Way rules, or ask you to
assess something that you just did. You will also demonstrate your ability to tie knots
reliably.
The Tester's overall concern will be that you are
demonstrating a competent ability and judgment to handle the boat safely under all
circumstances, so that as a Skipper you can be relied upon to bring yourself, your crew,
and your boat home safely. This will also mean that you can be relied on to not set out in
the first place if conditions, equipment, or crew do not warrant it.
A second part of the Skipper's test is a written
Right-of-Way Rules test. Copies of the Skipper-test evaluation form, as well as the
Right-of-Way Rules, will be available in the "dock-box" for pre-study.
You will find, if in fact you are ready for your
Skipper's test, that your skills and habits are already so honed through practice
that this is just another fun sail (although, you may have sweaty palms.)
- How long will it take for me to pass my Yngling
Skipper's test?
This depends on your own ability, and it really depends
on how much time you can spend on the water. Students proceed at their own rate. No one
will require you to attempt maneuvers beyond your acquired skill and comfort level. You
will learn to perform each procedure reliably before tackling the next. You will gain more
confidence in yourself, and your ability to handle the boat, as you go along.
Different Instructors and Practice-Skippers will offer
you a variety of explanations and insights. You will start putting these together for
yourself, and eventually theory and application will "come together."
Occasionally, students pass their Skipper's-test
and become Practice-Skippers and then Instructors all in the same season. If someone is
that gifted, the Club will not hold them back, Most of us take a bit longer, however. The
important thing is to not worry about it.
There is no deadline for passing your
Skipper's test. As long as you are safely having fun on the water, learning
something new each time you go out, everyone’s happy that you are learning to sail.
- If I pass my Skipper’s test, can I
sail anytime I want?...at night?...solo?
When you have passed your Yngling Skipper's
test you can sign-out any Yngling that is not reserved and go day sailing with at
least one crew member aboard, who does not have to be a Club member. Your thorough
training will give you the skills to handle the boat safely with one good crew. As a Skipper, you bear the responsibility for evaluating the sufficiency of your crew for
existing conditions.
If you are a first time skipper you will have to retest at the beginning of the following season. Subsequently your skipper rating
carrys over the years as long as you remain a member of the Sailing Club at UWM.
- What if I am already an experienced sailor?
You will still need to attend the dryland lectures and pass the Yngling Skipper's-test. Primarily for considerations of safety, the Club maintains a
continuity in its procedures and maneuvers. This continuity is reflected in its instruction. Its more than a matter of style. Its important, with
many
Club members sailing together in different combinations and circumstances, that everyone can expect predictable communications and actions. This
enables Skippers and crew to rely on each other with greater confidence and protects beginners from hazards and confusion. Experienced sailors who
are new to the club are expected to assimilate the Club's methods.
- If I don't feel ready to take my
Skipper's-Test, will I have to buy more lessons?
No. You simply continue taking practice-sails. But, if
you would like more lessons with certain Instructors or if you want to learn more about
specific or advanced skills, you can buy additional lessons. At the time of this
publication, they cost $8.00, or $16.00 for "solos" (i.e. only one student
aboard.) You can exercise this option, but it is certainly not necessary.
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