The Spinnakers course is a further and slightly specialised step on the Australian Sailing accredited pathway to learning to sail a small inshore keelboat.
It is an ideal course for adults and teenagers (16yrs+) who are looking to progress their sailing skills to include the fun & challenge of using symmetrical & asymmetrical spinnakers. Using a third sail when sailing across or downwind ultimately helps you get to your destination sooner! Knowing how to use spinnakers is a highly regarded crewing skill and one of the key elements of a Bow-person or Trimmers role on a boat.
Course Description
This course covers all the skills required to hoist, trim and drop a symmetrical spinnaker. Upon completion of the 12-hour course, participants will understand how to hoist a spinnaker and set using either a spinnaker pole or by “floating”. You will learn how to correctly trim the spinnaker to get maximum benefit from the extra sail area on various angles of wind including pole position & height. Spinnaker trim when gybing and how to gybe the pole will be covered and then you will learn how to drop the kite quickly & efficiently and so it’s ready to go back up again without any tangles! The course also briefly covers asymmetrical spinnaker theory.
This course is highly recommended for those who have completed the Start Crewing and Start Helming courses or those who have established sailing skills. You are NOT required to have completed the Start Skippering course in order to enrol in the Spinnakers course.
Course Info:
Course Length: 4 consecutive weeks – minimum of 12 hours instruction
Minimum Age: 16 years
Maximum number of participants: 24
Maximum number of crew on a boat: 5 (4 students + 1 Instructor)
Cost: $300 per person.
Includes: 12 hours instruction, use of personal safety equipment, National Keelboat Program logbook (if you don’t already have one from a previous course). By successfully completing one of our Spinnakers courses you will also be issued with an Australian Sailing Spinnakers certificate – which is recognised nationally.
We don’t run these course as frequently as our Start Crewing & Start Helming but we do try to accommodate keen participants. If you can’t see any dates listed for the course, please drop us a note and let us know you’re are interested – [email protected]
