YCC Level1 Course – Dinghy Sailing

Dinghies are small, fast sailing boats for crews of one or two people. They are easy to rig, safe and easy to handle in light and medium wind conditions, and make for exhilarating fun when the breeze is up. Dinghies are lightweight and not very stable, so their crew needs to constantly shift their weight and adjust sail settings for the boat to stay upright while moving forward.

As a level 1 course, the dinghy course is suitable for both beginners and intermediate sailors of all ages. With dinghies being light and reactive boats, they provide immediate feedback to any actions of the crew, which makes them perfect for learning how to sail. Students with some prior experience can use the course to improve their skills and learn how to use the asymmetric spinnakers and/or trapezes that our dinghies offer.

Note: Capsizing (the boat overturning on itself, the crew ending up in the water) is a normal part of dinghy sailing. Students will be taught how to right a capsized dinghy by using their body weight and strength. For safety reasons, the course therefore requires that students are confident swimmers and in good physical health.

Eligibility

To apply for a place in the YCC dinghy course, you must be an active YCC member. Places are assigned to the applicants by lottery. To be eligible, applicants must be confident swimmers and have no physical conditions prohibting them from righting a capsized boat, such as permanent injuries to the back or the rib cage. Participation in the Level 0 course is recommended in particular for newcomers.

Curriculum

During an online session, students will be introduced to the course contents and provided with practical information as well as a list of required equipment for the on-the-water lessons.

The course consists of six practical lessons beginning in early May. Lessons are given in a one-to-one format with a teacher on the same boat, normally once a week on weekdays. Students are expected to attend all six lessons. Motivation and commitment (arriving on time to the start of the lesson, dressing and rigging in a timely manner, following the instructions) are expected of all students.

The course prepares students to become a dinghy skipper at ease in wind conditions ranging from 1 to 3 bft. The lessons typically use YCC's double-handed dinghies (Melges 15, RS400, RS500), providing students with the ability to rig and use these boats with confidence.

During the lessons, students will practice the roles of skipper and crew and will learn about:

• basic sailing theory, right-of-way rules;
• sailing knots and basic nomenclature;
• safety information;
• crew and boat preparation: gear, rigging, safety equipment and its use;
• leaving and re-entering the harbor safely;
• sailing maneuvers and boat handling skills;
• the points of sail and appropriate sail trim;
• boat balance and trim;
• capsize recovery and man-overboard strategies.

The curriculum can be adapted to the student's abilities. For more experienced students, the courses may include practicing the use of the trapeze and/or asymmetric spinnaker present on the dinghies in our fleet. Alternatively, some of the lessons may be given using YCC's single-handed Laser sailboats.

Required Equipment

Generally, students will require:

• a suitable neoprene wetsuit;
• swimwear;
• close-toed neoprene shoes;
• gloves suitable for sailing;
• hat, sunglasses, sunscreen;
• a large towel and a dry set of clothes to change into after sailing.

Mandatory personal flotation devices (PFD, ‘life jacket’) in the most common sizes as well as trapeze harnesses are provided by YCC. Private PFDs appropriate for dinghy sailing may be used.

Note: Detailed information concerning the required equipment will be provided during the introductory session. Beginners without equipment are recommended to hold off buying any equipment until this time. Water-sensitive items such as wallets, mobile phones, cameras or watches can not be taken on board and will be left on shore.

Further Information

Any questions concerning the course, eligibility or suitability of particular equipment may be directed to Stefan Biereigel, the dinghy course coordinator.