Small Boat Sailing: Teaching Sportsmanship
When you’re trying to teach sportsmanship in competitive sailing, there are no proven methods to follow. You need to try different approaches because every group you teach will react differently to the request to “act sportsmanlike.” Practice sessions can fall apart if your team isn’t getting along and all you can is, “Will you please…Read More
Responsibility to Your Students As a US Sailing Certified Instructor
Safety, fun and learning are the three major directives for every sailing instructor. If your students enjoy themselves, return uninjured, and learn something new and interesting you will have met your primary responsibilities to your students. Safety People expect to be safe while in the care of an expert. As a sailing instructor you are…Read More
Teaching Fundamentals: Stress Management
Stress gradually takes its toll when an instructor feels overwhelmed by job pressures. Frequent pressing deadlines, long hours, conflicts, high expectations, insufficient resources, emergencies, sudden setbacks, financial constraints, and preoccupying personal problems are only a few of the things instructors may face every day which contribute to stress. Stress management is particularly important during a…Read More
Sponsorship Request Tips
Trying to build your club's sponsor portfolio for an upcoming event? Here are some helpful sponsorship request tips from Whitney Peterson, VP of Marketing at Gowrie Group. 1. Be clear on what you are asking for.• In-kind vs. Cash sponsorship• One time vs. annual request2. Align with the company’s passions or a key-person’s affinities.• CEO loves sailing,…Read More
Keeping Regattas Fun
By: Jake Fish, Communications Manager, US Sailing Many attendees of the Sailing Leadership Forum expressed the desire for more variety in our race courses with fewer windward/leeward courses and more non-traditional regattas. Attendees emphasized the importance of growth in participation and sportsmanship, especially for youth. Regatta organizers were challenged to create more alternative courses, games…Read More
What Makes Classes Strong?
Paul Young, President of Rondar UK, gave a presentation entitled “What Makes Classes Strong” at US Sailing’s One-Design Symposium at Bay Head Yacht Club last fall. Rondar has earned a reputation as a pre-eminent builder of fast one-design race boats. Rondar hulls have won world championships in the Contender, the 420, the Fireball, the Enterprise…Read More
Running Efficient Match Racing Events
By: Donald Wilson, Founder Chicago Match Race Center With so many integral elements to consider, running a successful match race can be both challenging and extremely rewarding. When a well-run regatta is executed with great talent and a lot of racing, all the participants want to return, including competitors, umpires, and volunteers. Don Wilson, founder…Read More
Building a Successful Junior Program: Curriculum to class offerings
By: Cappy Capper, Katie Tinder, and Kevin Broome Learn about other junior programs and how to grow your own successful junior program from this presentation given at the 2014 US Sailing Leadership Forum, including developing a curriculum and and hiring staff. Building a Successful Junior ProgramRead More