Learn to Yacht Race - with our Saturday Skills Sessions

Overview

Learn how to race in a friendly, informal environment within sheltered local waters.......an ideal introduction to Inshore Yacht Racing.

Our experienced, active racing crews will enjoy welcoming you on their boats to teach and practice the theory.

The informal, two hour Saturday afternoon sessions are designed to introduce newcomers to yacht racing..................ideal for sailors who would like to race but don’t know where to learn............ or for ‘rusty racers’ who have forgotten what they thought they knew!........or for newcomers to sailing who want to join our friendly group.

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  • Racing teaches how to get the best performance from a boat.
  • Sail a course rather than sail to the wind.
  • Work as a team with a common goal.
  • Learn competent crew techniques.
  • Understand the racing rules.
  • Practice race tactics, including starts and rounding buoys.
  • Learn basic sea safety, essential ropework.

Saturday afternoons starting on 17th April
14.00 until 16.30 at the SHYC Club House. Great value lunch and drinks available in our superb club house after the morning sessions.

Booking

  • Complete this application form to book your place now:
  • Costs are only £50 per person for 4 sessions payable at SHYC by 30th March.
  • Numbers are limited, please book early
  • Just bring your smile and your enthusiasm!
  • Subject to weather and availability, go Saturday afternoon sailing with our racing fleet to put the theory into practice........if the weather is kind to us after lunch, just bring warm clothing, waterproofs if wet, and soft soled shoes.
  • For further details contact Bob Jackson

Agenda

The intention is to cover all the basic topics in an leisurely manner with time for questions and explanations as we take each subject in turn.

Please feel free to ask questions and be sure to clarify any aspects you are uncertain of..........if you’re not sure, you can be sure you’re not alone!

  1. 17th April........Welcome and introduction to SHYC Club Racing, basic tacking, gybing, ropework and knots, plus basic sail trim.
  2. 1st May......This session will cover the basic racing rules, port – starboard situations, mark rounding, overtaking, windward boat rights.
  3. 30th May......Safety procedures, MOB procedures……….spinnaker work.
  4. 15th May......Starting sequences, start procedures, including flag sequences, practice start timings, pre start rules.
  5. 12th June.... Basic Race Tactics, fun race.

Disclaimer

Please note that you will be asked to sign the attached disclaimer prior to your first session.

  • Saturday Skills Sessions are not ‘official’ training courses, they are designed to provide an introduction to inshore yacht racing and an appreciation of the basic skills required to crew on a racing yacht.
  • Saturday skills sessions are provided by volunteers who receive no payment for their involvement.
  • All boats are provided free of sharge by their owners and all particpants aboard receive no payment for their involvement.
  • All members of the club, their guests and visitors, may use the club premises and facilities of the club entirely at their own risk on Saturday Skills days between 09.0 and 18.00, except that:
  • The Club, its officers and members will not accept any liability for any damage or loss of property belonging to members, their guests or visitors to the club.
  • The Club, its officers and members will not accept any liability for personal injury arising out of the use of the club premises, or participation in any race or activity organised by the club, whether sustained by members, guests or visitors, whether or not such damage or injury could have been attributed to or was occasioned by neglect, default or negligence of any club officers, members or commitees.

Members will draw the attention of any guests, visitors or participants to the Saturday Skills Sessions to the following conditions:

  • As with any sport there is some risk associated with sailing.
  • You must agree to follow the instructions of the designated skipper of your yacht and should follow their instructions in a calm and controlled manner.
  • Decks, etc, are often wet and therefore slippery, so care must be taken when moving around. Suitable footwear must be worn at all times.
  • Should you wish to wear a lifejacket and/or lifeline at anytime, please inform the skipper. When instructed by the yacht skipper to wear a lifejacket and/or lifeline, you must do so promptly.