Adaptive Sailing: Building a program

By: Cristina Rubke, Maureen McKinnon, Betsy Alison, and Joe Harris In this US Sailing Leadership Forum presentation, you will learn about adaptive facilities, equipment, designs, staff training tips, recruitment, resources and funding.Why Adaptive Sailing?• Creates a positive difference in many lives• Increases your membership and outreach base• Increases access to funding opportunities• Creates new Partnership…Read More

Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool: The regatta website

Does your regatta website succeed in engaging the public and preparing your competitors? Jared Wohlgemuth of the San Diego Yacht Club walks us through the "must-haves" for your regatta website. Define Your Regatta: recurring event or singular, local/regional, national/international, media attention, sponsor requirements Know Participant’s Needs: regatta documents, logistics, schedules, value for participation, regatta management…Read More

Implementing an Offshore Safety and Preparedness Plan

By: Chuck Hawley & Sally Lindsay HoneyHere are some items to consider when creating and implementing an offshore safety and preparedness plan:1. Start with a safety ethos for the event2. Implement pre-departure training3. Select an equipment list4. Identify skipper/crew/yacht qualifications, if any5. Pre-departure inspections – make them useful6. Communication plan appropriate for the event7. Emergency…Read More

Building Race Management Resources

By: Jenn Lancaster, Race Director, Newport Harbor Yacht Club / Lynn M. Lynch, On-the-Water Director, Chicago Yacht Club / Taran Teague, Annapolis Yacht Club Building race management resources at your club or sailing center requires a significant commitment. Investing time, effort and money in these resources can go a long way in positively impacting sailors'…Read More

Start Windsurfing Right: Understanding Wind

Wind speed and direction never stay the same - they are constantly changing. While these changes are often small and subtle, they can be substantial. You will, with experience, develop a skill called wind sensing or wind feel which helps you detect the wind and anticipate its changes. How can you tell the direction of…Read More

Quick-Stop Rescue

All sailors must know how to react quickly to a crew overboard situation. The hallmark of the Quick-Stop Rescue method is the immediate reduction of boat speed by turning in a direction to windward and thereafter maneuvering at modest speed, remaining near the PIW. This rescue requires these steps: 1) As soon as a crew…Read More

Getting In and Out of Irons

Have you ever found yourself stuck on the water facing into the wind, and your  boat just won’t budge? This situation is known as “being in irons,” which means your boat is stopped while pointing into the wind—also called the No-Go Zone. When this happens, your sails will be flapping (or luffing), and you’ll find…Read More

Jib and Mainsail Trim: How Telltales Work

Sail trim is one of the most important skills in sailing, but because the wind is invisible, it can sometimes be difficult to judge whether your sails are trimmed properly. A very helpful way to detect wind flow around your sails (and adjust your sails or change course accordingly), is with telltales. How Telltales Work…Read More

Seamanship and Water Safety – Capsize Recoveries

Once you know the basics of sailing, you should learn a few seamanship skills. Good seamanship helps you handle situations even when you're not sailing. Your boat may need to be towed for some reason. You may need to paddle from a dock to a mooring. And, of course, there are specific knots for specific…Read More

Five Basic Navigation Rules for Sailing Situations

Courtesy on the water makes sailing more fun for everyone. But beyond courtesy, there are Navigation Rules - like traffic laws - that can be enforced by authorities. Navigation Rules help prevent accidents and apply to the smallest rowboat and the largest tanker. Less experienced sailors should stay clear of boating traffic and sail defensively.…Read More