Summer Sailing Program – Ability Level Descriptions

Novice Sabot: 

This class is designed for children with little or no experience sailing a single handed dinghy.  Students will learn basic dinghy sailing skills as well as basic seamanship.  They will learn common sailing knots, the parts of the boat, and right-of-way rules.  They will also learn the points of sail, basic tacking and gibing, and basic sail trim.  Emphasis will be placed on proper boat handling and sail trimming technique.

Intermediate Sabot: 

This class is designed for children who have already learned the basics of single handed dinghy sailing.  Students will learn new boat handling and sail trimming techniques.  They will also learn more right-of-way rules and basic racing skills.  Emphasis will be placed on proper boat handling and sail trimming, as well as proper use of the sailing rules.

Racing Sabot: 

This class is designed for children that have gone through Intermediate Sabots and have a desire to participate in Sabot regattas.  Students will learn advanced boat handling and sail trimming techniques.  They will also learn racing theory, including pre-race strategy, starting techniques, upwind / downwind tactics, and proper mark roundings.  Emphasis will be placed on proper boat handling and sail trimming, use and knowledge of the Racing Rules of Sailing, and racing theory.

Beginning Flying Junior (FJ): 

This class is designed for older children (14 and up) who have passed Intermediate Sabot.  Students will learn how to sail double handed dinghy, as both a skipper and crew.  They will learn boat handling and sail trimming skills as well as teamwork.  Students will learn to trim a jib as well as use a spinnaker.  Emphasis will be placed on proper sail trimming and boat handling techniques.

Racing FJ / Laser: 

This class is designed for children that have passed the Beginning FJ class and have a desire to attend FJ or Laser regattas.  Students will learn advanced boat handling and sail trimming techniques used in double handed dinghies.  They will also learn advanced racing theory and advanced Racing Rules.  Emphasis will be on proper boat handling and sail trimming technique, use and knowledge of the Racing Rules of Sailing, and racing theory.

Please note that while dinghy sailing is mostly an individual sport, we will strive to teach teamwork and sportsmanship in all of our classes.