Over recent weeks SLMASC has introduced it’s new Learn To Sail program, and just two weeks into the six week course it is proving to be a real hit with all participants, both young and young at heart alike.
The current course covering Levels 1 & 2 Learn to Sail, commenced immediately following the hugely successful Try Sailing Day held at the club on Sunday 4th November, and offers a structured Learn To Sail course that follows the YA teaching syllabus, with participant log books being completed to verify skill levels attained and enabling sign off and graduation at the end of each course segment.
A great deal of planning and preparation has gone into the launch of the new program, including training of Instructors and Assistant Instructors, preparation of course documentation and materials, printing of participant log books, and promotion of both the new course and also Try Sailing Day, which was a key element in the launch of the new program. The timing of the program launch was planned to immediately follow Try Sailing Day to allow those who attended and tried sailing for the first time, to sign up on the spot for a structured learning program that would start the very next week. This opportunity proved to be very popular, with particpant numbers having to be capped, and resulted in 15 new members joining the ‘Sunshine Sailing Team’ and the club on Try Sailing day, with these new members and their families now attending Learn To Sail classes each Sunday morning, with both adult and junior classes being held concurrently for the first time.
Sunday mornings are indeed quite busy at the club, and we have been blessed with perfect weather for Try Sailing Day and also the first 2 weeks of the program. Let’s hope this continues as it’s great to see so many new faces all enjoying the experience, with many nervous faces leaving the shore only to return with wide smiles as confidence builds and new skills arebeing mastered each week. Feedback from participants has been extremely encouraging, with many already asking about future training opportunities at the club and also discussion about access to and purchase of suitable boats.
Upon completion of the current Learn To Sail classes in mid December, it is planned to introduce both the Better Sailing and also Learn To Race (Level 1 & 2) programs in the new year to allow this new crew of keen sailors to continue to take their sailing to the next level, continuing to follow the YA teaching syllabus. The Learn To Sail Level 1 & 2 course will also be repeated, with the detailed schedule and planning yet to be finalised.
SLMASC Learn To Sail and Junior Development program sponsors Centennial Coal and The Bay Hotel have been instrumental in supporting the launch of these new local programs, with funding provided going directly towards formal Instructor training, program materials and syllabus, and also the purchase of an additional laser training dinghy for use in adult Learn To Sail lessons. A great deal of thanks and admiration must also go to our crew of enthusiastic and now fully qualified Instructors and Assistant Instructors who give their time each week to share their passion for the sport of sailing. Well done and thank you to all involved.
If you or your family and friends are interested in particilating in future Learn To Sail activities at the club, contact the club for further details or call in and have a look at the classes in action over the coming weeks (Sunday’s 10am-12pm) as the program for the second half of the season will be set shortly, including the possibility of a school holiday ‘sailing camp’ in mid-late January covering the Better Sailing course syllabus (perhaps a great Christmas Present idea?).
Learn to Sail at SLMASC …… LEARN, SAFE, FUN
Sunshine Sailing Team
