Courses
Children are assessed by our professional instructors and placed in the level most appropriate to their skills, experience and confidence. They progress from level-to-level when instructors say they are ready, including mid-course for talented and confident individuals.
The courses are open to anyone who can swim 50m but generally suited to children 7 to 15 yrs of age.
Level 1: Fundamentals
Juniors completely new to sailing will normally start at Level 1 with an introduction to the fundamentals.
The level 1 course includes:
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Proper preparation, use of safety equipment, understanding weather and tides
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Understanding the different parts of a boat
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Simple knots
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Learning how to rig a boat
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How to recover from a capsize
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Single boat towing
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How to launch a boat
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Paddling the boat
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Basic control of the boat, including tacking
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Basic sailing theory - port and starboard
Level 2:
Develop Skills
After initial exposure to the fundamentals, we develop the skills so that juniors can begin to sail independently.
The level 2 course includes:
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Developing independent preparation skills including pre-sailing warm-ups
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Learning to rig a boat unassisted
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More advanced knots
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Capsize practice
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Man-overboard recovery
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Multiple boat towing
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Unassisted boat launching and recovery
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Developing boat control, including gybes
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Learn to sail around a triangle course
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Developing sailing theory - windward/leeward, overtaking, points of sailing
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Altering centre-board position to suit points of sailing
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Reading the wind, reacting to gusts and lulls
Level 3:
Build Confidence
Having learned how to sail, we next focus on developing the confidence needed for independent sailing.
The level 3 course includes:
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Rigging the boat to suit conditions
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Increasing capsize recovery speed and from a fully inverted position
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Roll tacking and roll gybes
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Sailing backwards
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Sail shape adjustments to suit conditions
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Slalom and trapezoidal courses
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Coming alongside another boat
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Maintaining a position
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Applying basic rules of fleet sailing
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Reading wind shifts
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Working with tidal flows
Level 4:
Learn Racing
Juniors that have fully developed their confidence are now ready to learn how to race.
The level 4 course includes:
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Learning starting procedures
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Identifying line bias and favoured end
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Controlling boat speed at starts
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Optimised mark rounding
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Using a tuning and sailing log
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Sailing specific fitness and warm-up exercises
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Optimising rigging for performance
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Mast adjustment to suit conditions
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Aerodynamics theory and optimising sail shape
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Optimising boat trim for all points of sailing
Level 5:
Improve Racing
Having learned to race, juniors are ready to improve their competitiveness.
The level 5 course includes:
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Implementing a training program for sailing fitness and injury management
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Identifying goals - short, medium and long term
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Time-management
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Regatta planning
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Optimising rigs for individuals
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Rafting up with regatta support boats
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Using wind shifts for tactical advantage
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Building consistency on optimised boat trim
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Identifying wind patterns and developing a race plan
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Offensive boat positioning
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Tactics at starts and mark roundings
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Using Racing Rules for tactical advantage
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Understanding the effects of geography on wind patterns and tidal effects
Post course
Graduates from the GFS Learn to Sail program are prepared for a lifetime of sailing.
Activities at the club for graduates include:
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Becoming an volunteer assistant coach, helping with beginners.
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Interclub-racing
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Moving into Lasers for older students
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Casual sailing alongside the courses
