Galway Bay Sailing Club

Improving Skills is an Irish Sailing approved introductory sailing course designed for junior sailors between the ages of 8 and up.

Participants will be expected to be able to demonstrate the skills and knowledge included in the Irish Sailing Basic Skills.

The course will run from 0930 to 1700 Monday to Friday with supervised lunch break between 1300 and 1400. Sailors should bring their own lunch.

Objective

By the end of the course you will be able to Identify and demonstrate / describe the use of the following in order to optimise the boat / rig for a particular set of conditions:

• Sail telltales

• Jib sheeting angles

• Halyard tension

• Outhaul

• Cunningham / downhaul

• Kicker or vang

• Main sheet traveller / hawse

• Rig the sailing boats used.

• De-rig, secure and care for hull & equipment

• Tack effectively in all wind conditions.

• Perform a basic roll tack in light winds.

• Gybe effectively in all wind conditions.

• Demonstrate all of the skills covered in the “Sailing Manoeuvres” section of the Basic Skills course” in windier conditions.

• Describe the principles of sailing without a rudder and sail a beam reach without a rudder.

• Sail backwards for short distances.

• Be constantly aware of and apply the “5 Essentials”

• Weather

• Coastal Knowledge

Full course outline

Previous knowledge or experience

Participants should have completed the Irish Sailing Basic Sailing course. If you have not been regularly practicing these skills you will need to do so prior to this course at least 10 hrs as helm.

Equipment

Buoyancy aids are provided by GBSC. Wetsuits are available but if sailors have their own wetsuits and boots, that is preferable for their comfort.