Practice 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.

We ask students to join our Telegram text group. Instructions are in the Burgee newsletter which comes out every Tuesday,

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!

Sail with us at Stony Creek Lake at Stony Creek Metropark in Shelby Twp. MI or at Kent Lake at Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan.

Practice sails

As a Student Sail Pass holder (unrated), you can take practice sails with our rated sailors (Mentors and/or Water Instructors) as often as you want.

Tests (written and water)

You can take the Level 1 tests when you feel ready.

Becoming a Rated Sailor

Unrated members have two years to get the Level 1 rating but getting the Level 1 rating can be easily accomplished after your classes in the same year. The program was designed that way. If for any reason you are unable to complete your rating in two years, just sign up for the class again. If you believe you have a situation that needs review, we offer a process for that thru our Operations Team, just let us know.

Unlimited use of Interlake boats

After qualifying, you can take the L1 boats out as the skipper as often as you like, consistent with some common-sense rules, of course. For example, ASI does not allow single-handed sailing. You’ll learn more about this in the classes.

Kent Lake Practice Sails

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 and Thundering Thursdays are held all summer long. A student can just come out to Kent Lake during these events and sail with a rated member.

Other days and times are possible. Please, contact members via our Practice Sails Telegram chanel.

**Kensington Practice Sails**
Description	Time	Contact
Sunday Drive (Pirates Welcome)	10:00 AM	Mark B.
Party Tuesdays	10:30 AM	Warren P
Wet and Wild Wednesdays	6:00 PM	Paul J.
Thundering Thursdays (informal racing)	5:30 PM	Sam D.

Stony Creek Lake Practice Sails

Stony Creek has organized practice sails called Tradewinds Tuesdays and Thrill Thursdays and Saturdays after instructions are over. Look for the announcement posted in the Burgee and Telegram channels.

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.

Launching at Stony Creek

The detailed procedure for launching the boats at Stony Creek is covered in the Level 1 sailing classes.

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.