(scroll down or Click one of of these links for more Student information)
Practice Sails
How to Have A Good Practice Sail
Getting your Level 1 Rating
Overview
Interlake Maintenance Classes for All Students
Links
Kent Lake Practice Sails
Stony Creek Practice Sails
Mentoring Program
Practice Sails
We ask students to join our Telegram text group. Instructions are in the Burgee newsletter which comes out every Tuesday,
asiburgee@gmail.com
In addition we offer regular organized sails, normally its Tuesdays 10:30, Wednesday evening 6pm, Sundays 10:30 at Kent and Saturdays at Stony. its best to get on those mailing lists. We are also using the app Telegram, see the Burgee to join our ASI practice sail group. You can also contact the L1 Manager or class instructors to help you find mentor sails.
After completing your Level 1 class, you may take as many practice sails as you like. these sails are fun and and allow you to hone your skills before taking Level 1 rating tests. These practice sails are always conducted with a rated ASI sailor aboard who will help you safely sharpen your skills.
The skippers for practice sails are all experienced sailors who volunteer their time and talents so new students can become proficient sailors. Many of these skippers are also instructors.
The number of practice sails is unlimited for the season. However, students who are not rated within 24 months of their class must re-enroll in the classes.
Dock Mastering is also available to Students. Is a good way to see sailing from another view. Information is in the Burgee. As a student you can request to be paired with a rated member to dockmaster.
How to have a good Practice Sail
Skippers:
- Be sure that the student does all the sailing and rigging. You act as a resource for the student. Be a coach. Watch what they do and offer encouragement and positive suggestions.e sure that the student does all the sailing and rigging. You act as a resource for the student. Be a coach. Watch what they do and offer encouragement and positive suggestions.
- Find something positive about any maneuver that the student executes, and then shape their behavior toward the goal.
- Be aware of the skills on the water test. Push the student to try everything, but ask them what skills they want to work on that day.
- Don’t forget to practice docking. It may be that on an evening practice sail docking needs to be practiced early, while the wind is still up.
- Have Fun!
Students:
- Take charge of your experience. Tell your skipper what you want to work on and then do it.
- Remember that all rated members skipper practice sails. Their skills may vary. If you need instruction (not just practice), request a practice sail with an instructor.
- Take criticism with a grain of salt. We try for consistency, but everyone has his/her own idiosyncratic ways of doing things. Take what you need from the experience. You will find that there is something to learn from everyone with whom you sail.
- Be sure that you learn something every time that you sail. Each time is a new experience. We all learn something every time we go out on the water. You should too.
- Have Fun!
Education Dir; Bill Lane
Mentor Dir; John Tiley
See our Practice Sail Schedule on the Student Home page. Be sure to confirm all dates and times before going to the lake. You can also see events and workshops on our web Events calendar.
Please consider coming back as a Mentor after you’ve passed your L1. We can help you feel more comfortable with giving practice sails, just ask us.
Overview;
Students learn to sail an Interlake, an 18’ centerboard sloop, in light to moderate winds on an inland lake, Kent or Stony Creek Lake. No prior sailing or boating experience is required, however, even those with many years of sailing experience benefit from this course. All new members start with this class. Students will learn the parts and functions of a sailboat, sailing terminology, basic knots and “rules of the road” as well as how to make the sailboat go where they want it to go and stop where it should.
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Interlake Maintenance Classes for All Students
The Interlake Maintenance Class for Level 1 Students from all classes are assigned with the class so watch for this information.
Otherwise Maintenance classes are typically offered on the first and third Saturday of June, August, and September, and the third Saturday of July, from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Kensington Metro Park East Boat Launch.
There will also be at least one Interlake Maintenance Class at Stony Creek.
Check our club calendar, Burgee newsletter or ask one of us.
Interlake Maintenance Classes Required Hours
Unrated students – 6 hours the first year; 12 hours there after.
Links
Kensington Practice Sails
Stony Creek Practice Sails
ASI Level 1 documents
Great Practice sail, ask to try this with your Mentor;
Kent Lake Practice Sails
Student PS Information and Request for Mentor Sail
We offer Practice Sails at Kent Lake on 4 days a week. Organized practice sales, called Wet’n’Wild Wednesdays, or Sunday Drive, Party Tuesdays are held all summer long. A student can just come out to Kent Lake on during these events and sail with a rated member.
Other days and times are possible for one on one PS, just email us. Or ask any rated member.
At Kent Lake as a student be sure to get on the email list for any and all days you want to practice. Wet and wild Wednesday is just “drop in”. The Mentor or practice sail organizer for that day will send out weekly emails asking for who might be coming. if you think your coming its best to let us know.
That way we can try to have a good mix of rated and students ahead of time. At Kent we rig the boat at the slip and paddle over to the dock (its differant at Stony). No boat is allowed to sail out of the slip. Depending on the wind you will launch off that part of the dock. Typically there will be an experienced Dock Master and you will take their instruction and help.
Dock Masters receive volunteer hours. Its a great way to help the club and learn by watching others. Students need to ask a mentor to show them the ropes of dock mastering. After passing your L1, you can and should volunteer to dock master especially during class and practice sail times. Contact Dock Master Manager for instructions and a date you can come help. More details will be given in class or just ask us.
Stony Practice Sails
At Stony Creek, when pulling a boat out, make sure no lines are tied or fouled with the dock. Otherwise you might find the boat on the ramp after you pull the trailer out of the water.
Mentoring Program
To arrange a practice sail, please refer to the list of volunteers that have committed themselves to mentor an unrated student to achieve his/her goals. This list is posted on the ASI website, or contact our ASI Mentor Director John Tiley.
Stony Creek has organized practice sails, called Tradewinds Tuesdays . Look for the announcement posted on the ASI website our the newsletter the Burgee. With the Mentoring program in place and the Kent Lake and Stony Creek open sail dates, unrated members will be able to polish their skills and become rated in no time.
Sailing at Stony Creek first requires getting the boat into the water, since there are no permanent slips, as at Kensington. The boats are kept in the boat yard on trailers. Consequently, you must have a trailer hitch or make arrangements with your crew for one.
The boats must be towed a short distance to the ramps for launching. It does take a bit more work before you are sailing, but more work doesn’t necessarily mean more time. You don’t have to open dock boxes for things like life vests and sails, because they are kept with the boat. Bailing the boats after rainy days is seldom necessary as it is at Kensington. Another advantage to sailing at Stony Creek is that the hulls are cleaner and do not accumulate algae, as at Kensington, where the boats are continuously in the water.
The detailed procedure for launching the boats at Stony Creek is covered in the Level 1 sailing classes.
