TRAINING PROGRAMS

Albert Sailing Club has a strong tradition and a good reputation for training of people in dinghy sailing from novice to advanced levels. All programs are provided on a voluntary basis by experienced club members who have AYF coaching accreditation or are under the supervision of an AYF accredited Instructor or coach. 

In the 2009/2010 sailing season the Club is conducting a full range of training programs and activities. Programs being offered include:

• Novice Basic Skills Courses
• Junior Training Program
• Better Sailing Training Modules
• Sunday social days
• Training clinics
  

Details on program content and dates are provided below.

To participate in a training program you need to be a member of Albert Sailing Club (ASC).  If you are not currently a member the process to join is not cumbersome, and the annual fee covers training programs and membership of the club for 12 months. Albert’s fees are below the average for sailing clubs in Melbourne. Information on Membership is available from the club internet website.

Registration lists for programs and further information is posted on the club noticeboard in the foyer of the clubhouse. Saturdays are the best day for visiting the club to check these. Also check the ASC website under Training and the weekly Thursday Snippets newsletter for updates.

Email queries can be sent to training@albertsc.org.au

NOVICE BASIC SKILLS COURSE

This is an 8 week course which provides a safe and enjoyable introduction to small boat sailing for people who have either not sailed before or have limited sailing experience. The program develops skills and knowledge that enables the successful participant to safely and competently sail a small boat in light winds and enclosed waters.

The curriculum follows the AYF Basic Skills 1 & 2 program curriculum, including:

• Rigging a dinghy sailing boat
• Basic sailing techniques & manoeuvres, incl. tacking, gibing, main points of sailing.
• Capsize procedures
• Boat launching and recovery
• Basic right of way rules
• Winds and basic meteorology

Course instruction is provided by AYF accredited Instructors and experienced club members.

• Course 5/09: Every Saturday 9.30 am to 12.30 from 17 Oct. to 5 Dec. 2010
  
• Course 1/10: Saturdays 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, 23 January to 20 March 2010
  
• Course 2/10: Saturdays 9.30 am to 12.30 pm, 10 April to 13 June 2010
  

An additional Basic Skills program may be scheduled for Sundays commencing early February 2010.
Further Basic Skills programs will be programmed for later in 2010.
Dates and details for additional programs are posted on the club noticeboard in the foyer of the clubhouse and on the Training section of the ASC internet website.

JUNIOR TRAINING PROGRAM 

The program consists of sunday morning sessions for juniors 14 years of age and under. The content is flexible with the focus on development of skills and fun.

The spring 2009 program commences on Sunday 18 October, with an orientation session and on-water activities from 10 am to 12 noon followed by a BBQ. It then follows on subsequent Sunday mornings.  Dates for the Summer/Autumn 2010 Junior program will be listed on the club noticeboard in the foyer of the clubhouse and on the club internet website.

If you want further information on the Junior Training Program you can send an email to training@albertsc.org.au. Or call Don McKenzie on 0412 333 743.

BETTER SAILING TRAINING MODULES

The objective of these sessions is to improve the sailing and racing skills of people who have completed a Basic Skills training program or have undertaken some training and completed a number of club level races. 

Better Sailing sessions are held on Sunday afternoons from 1 – 4 pm once per month. The program follows the AYF Better Sailing Syllabus and is delivered in a modular format such that modules are delivered monthly and the set of modules can be completed over a one or two year period.

The 2009/10 program is scheduled to commences on Sunday 25 October, with Session 2 on Sunday 29 November, and Session 3 on Sunday 31 January.

Module topics will include:

• Race starts
• Sailing to windward and tacking
• Off wind sailing and gybing
• Winds and directions
• Sailing Rules and Regulations

SUNDAY SOCIAL DAYS

Sunday Social Sailing Days are held monthly over the October to March period, usually on a date corresponding to the Better Sailing Training. The club will be open from 10am to 4pm for people to sail  their own boat or for newer members to sail one of the club training boats - a Pacer, Laser or Minnow.  An informal training clinic will be conducted in the morning from 10.30 for those who are interested. Otherwise enjoy sailing on Albert Park Lake and the facilities of the Club.

TRAINING CLINICS

Stand-alone training clinics are organised on saturday mornings on various dates throughout the season. These will be advised through the club's Thursday Snippets emails and at Information Sessions held before saturday club races.