Your organization can host a Sailing Counselor Course. It's easy.

Step 1: Choose the dates you'd like to hold your course.

The Sailing Counselor curriculum requires two 8 1/2 hour days, which includes a 1-hour lunch break and two 15-minute breaks, one in the morning, one in the afternoon. Because of high demand in the early spring, it is a good idea to have several potential dates in mind if you are scheduling your course then.

Step 2: Contact the Regional Training Coordinator in your area.

Your Regional Training Coordinator (RTC) will find an Instructor Trainer to teach your Sailing Counselor course. Again, having one or two back-up dates will make the scheduling process a lot easier. To find the RTC in your area, go to http://www.ussailing.org/training/RTC/rtclist.asp. If you need further assistance, contact the Training Department at US SAILING, 15 Maritime Drive, Portsmouth, RI  02871, (401) 683-0800, training@ussailing.org.

Step 3: Recruit and register Sailing Counselor candidates.

In order to run a Sailing Counselor course, the host organization must register at least 8 participants. Participants must be at least 14 years old. The cost is $100/student, which includes all course materials: Start Sailing Right!, the Little Red Book, and Risk Management for the Counselor.  

Sailing Counselor candidates may register using the secure on-line registration form at https://secure.ussailing.org/forms/Sailing_counselor.asp. A copy of the mail-in registration form may be found at http://www.ussailing.org/training/sc/scregister.htm. Candidate registration forms and payments should be sent to US SAILING. (US SAILING Sailing Counselor Course, P.O. Box 1260, Portsmouth, RI  02871) Candidates should make checks payable to US SAILING. Payment can also be made with MasterCard, Visa or American Express. 

US SAILING will need to have at least 8 confirmed participants (maximum of 10) 4 weeks prior to the course date. Only when a completed registration form and full payment of the course fee has been received by US SAILING will a candidate be considered "confirmed."

The US SAILING web site will contain a calendar of course dates for SC, so that  your course will be "advertised" to all potentially interested parties.

Step 4: Prepare your site.

As the host organization, your facility must provide the following items for the  Sailing  Counselor Course:

• Sailboats. You will need an adequate number of either single- or double-handed dinghies so that all SC candidates can be on the water simultaneously.

• Safety boat. A small inflatable or Boston Whaler-type motorboat is needed for the instructor to demonstrate and supervise on-the-water activities.

• Classroom. Shoreside activities require a well-lighted and well-ventilated room with a chalkboard (with chalk and eraser) or a whiteboard (with dry markers in 3 colors and eraser). Board should be a minimum of 4' x 6'.

• Tables and chairs. Provide enough seating and table space for every candidate, plus 6 extra chairs.

• TV and VCR. (A camcorder and overhead projector are great "extras.")

• Line. Provide a 3' length of line for each candidate and one for the instructor for knot tying demonstration and practice.

• Access to a copier. Of course there's paperwork.

• Changing room(s). Participants will need a place to change into and out of swim/sailing clothes.

• Appropriate location for a swim check. A pool or shallow area along the shore is best for swim checks.

Step 5: Finalize and enjoy your course.

Four weeks prior to your course date, confirm the number of Sailing Counselor candidates that will be attending your course. (Minimum of 8 participants, maximum of 10.) US SAILING will ship all relevant and necessary materials to the Instructor Trainer for your course approximately 2 weeks prior to your course dates. At the end of the course, the Instructor Trainer sends all paperwork back to US SAILING, where it will be processed and candidates' graduations documented.