While it is up to individual coaches to determine the format that works the best for the sailor based on the experiences and needs of the participants, the attached curriculum provides a framework. Clinics can be either one or two day in length, and should maximize on-the-water time. US Sailing will attempt to gather some preliminary information about experience level on the online clinic entry form which will be provided to the coach in advance.
US Sailing clinics are intended to improve sailors’ racing skills. Participants are expected to be familiar with tacking, gybing, some spinnaker skills, and capable of managing a boat in up to 20 knots. For juniors participating with larger boats, we encourage the boat owner to participate in the clinic as an advisor.
Sample ONE Day Intermediate/ Advanced Clinic
The One Day curriculum is truly participant dependent. Advanced knowledge of the sailors’ experience is important to maximize the instruction time. Since time is limited, you will want to be on the water time as much as possible. Therefore, it is encouraged that lunch be eaten on the water.
If time allows, or if participant experience demands, issues such as rig tuning, boat speed (teamwork, angle of heel, sail trim), starting tactics, racing tactics and racing rules may be incorporated. Participants will receive Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing and 100 Racing Rules Quizzes ( a $48 value).
Registration
Welcome/Get Acquainted
Introduce coach
Get a feel for participants’ level of expertise
Outline plan: schedule of day, location
Chalkboard talk
Teach the drills and signals
In the parking lot or dockside
Tuning overview – tuning for speed
On the Water
Tacking drills – cross sheeting and trapezing
Gybing drills – emphasis on hoisting, gybing , gybe sets, and take downs
Mark-roundings
Practice starts
Clinic ‘regatta’: focus on short courses if time allows
Final Wrap up
*Include Racing Rules discussion only if time allows
Sample TWO Day Novice Racing Clinic
If teams are not already formed, try and organize them in advance using the information provided on the entry form. All participants will receive Winning in One Designs by Dave Perry (or a similar text depending on the boats used), Racing Signal Flags Sticker and a Handy Guide to the Rules, a $40 value.
Day One
Registration/Welcome/Get Acquainted
Introduce coach and boat owners
Get a feel for participants’ level of expertise
Outline plan: schedule of day, location
Chalkboard talk
Teach the drills and signals
In the parking lot
Rigging and Tuning
On the Water
Tacking drills
Gybing drills and spinnaker handling
Mark-roundings
Practice starts
Evening social w/ coach (optional)
Topics could include
Informal talk about teambuilding
Road Warrior issues: transporting a boat
Specific boat issues: safety equip, crew weight
Day Two
Chalkboard talk
Review of yesterday
Outline plan: schedule of day, location
Boat speed: teamwork, heel angle, sail trim
Starting tactics
On the Water
Warm up drills
Practice starts
Clinic ‘regatta’: focus on short courses
Wrap up
*Include Racing Rules discussion only if time allows