Learn to sail in three days

Paul “Odie” Odegaard seeks to shape the future of the Sunfish Class in this report:

Several years ago, I remember reading an article somewhere reporting on a survey that asked the question: What do you most wish to learn how to do? Remarkably, the #1 wish was learn how to sail. This topped goals like: learn how to play golf/tennis; scuba; cook, etc.

Since the Sunfish is historically the most (arguably) popular learn-how-to-sail vehicle, we have a significant opportunity to introduce junior and adult wannabees to our beloved sailboat.

So many famous skippers have traced their sailing lineage back to the little Sunfish. The progression hopefully goes like: learn on a Sunfish — love a Sunfish — race a Sunfish — stay with the Sunfish— become a Senior Master on the Sunfish!

If we are to continue keeping our Sunfish Class healthy and growing in numbers, we have to introduce more novice sailors to our sailboat. I believe we can do this by giving back via promoting free learn-to-sail lessons. Our many active fleets have the available boats and skilled skippers to offer these lessons.

The old Alcort brochure “Learn to Sail in 3 Days” outlines the very basic skills needed to get started. The simplified goal of this program is to just get the student on the water safely sailing with minimal intimidation. Follow-on programs to learn the nautical lingo, sharpen boat handling skills, and teach some basic sailing rules will hopefully be offered to motivated students who want to learn more.

The following lessons learned at our local LIARS (Leetes Island Assoc. of Retired Sailors) fleet in Guilford, CT are offered for consideration:

• Keep It Simple: Avoid all nautical terms; use “the pointy end of the boat” rather than the “bow;” use “rope” not “sheet”, etc.
• Manage The Fleet: Set up the Sunfish properly with high rigged sail plans, sheet hangers, daggerboard retainers, wind indicators, etc.
• Pick The Best Weather Days: Sail only in light (5-10 mph) air. A scary experience on a windy day can result in “never again”.
• Age Allocate The Instructors: Junior instructors for the kids, adults for the adults. For best results double up with one instructor on board with one student.
• Give Many Awards: Kids just love trophies/t- shirts/achievement-graduation awards, etc.
• Publicize The Program: Everyone appreciates local news coverage plus more press on the Sunfish helps the cause.

It is now time to give back and introduce more beginners to our Class. For more info on an expanded 5-day course contact: captnodie@comcast.net.