#1 Basic Smallboat Sailing for Cruising Kids

Students can take one week or a series. There are 4 weeks of stepped learning for small boats focused on cruising kids vs racing. Youth will sail a variety of smallboats from 8 to 15 feet first as crew moving up to skippering their own small boat. There are many stages to learning to sail. Each week instills skills in learning to read wind and water, managing sails and working other youth. Students learn to assess risk, avoid dangers and look ahead for both. There is sheer beauty and exhillaration in sailing. The over all effect after sailing is a both personal growth and calming that can't be beat. If return for week 2 or more they can earn their ASA 110 certification as full fledged skippers of small boats. ASA 110 certificate allows them to rent small boats, anywhere they are available, world wide.

WEEK ONE:  Basics of Smallboat Sailing - crew -> skipper

What we need is a swimming certificate or letter from their guardian reguarding their swimming ability. They will show us their skill, or learn new water safety skills in a pool before sailing in open waters. Students will learn to put on a lifejacket on land and in the water, tread water for 1 minute without and 2 minutes with a lifejacket. Then they will swim 50'.

Students learn first on land how a capsize or swamping can occur. Next, they go through mock drills, and learn how to respond if such happens. Then, they learn how to right a boat and get sailing again. They repeat the drill in the water. Showers are available on site. Most of boats the students use do not capsize, but all students must learn this skill the first day to eliminate this basic worry to feel safe in smallboats. 

Students handle all the parts of a boat, sails. Then learn how to rig a sailboat for the conditions of the day. Through the week they learn how to set sails and cast off to sail! Students will learn the rules of the road to avoid collisions, how to communicate and work with others to operate a boat. There is some class time and lots of water time each day.

Students play "follow the leader" through sailing games on land and in the water, that are fun and help to improve sailing skills. These games help sailing to quickly feel natural.

Bring lunch, dress in layers, including a non-cotton base layer to be worn under comfortable clothes, a warm layer, and a wind breaker as an outer layer. Bring a change of clothes. If own a shorty wetsuit bring it for the first morning. Might keep it in their bag. Soft soled tennis shoes or boating shoes required. Simple Garden Gloves with finger tips cut or real sailing gloves help. Please bring and wear sunscreen, a brimmed hat and sunglasses. Youth get headaches if out in the sun for hours without such protection.

We provide lifejackets, if needed, water bottles for during and fruit for after sailing.

Pre class drop off $35. Post class care $35. Call to arrange.

For any questions, please contact the office: 510-535-1954 or info@afterguard.net