Canterbury Sailing School

Sailing programme for the day at the lake

Class groups, their teachers and helpers are welcomed at the Lake venue by their instructors.

After a water-safety talk, we launch straight into the day’s activities.

The first item on the agenda is a rigging demonstration by one of the instructors. While this is happening the other Instructor briefs the teacher and other adults supporting the class.

Students are then grouped in teams to rig their own yachts. All yachts are checked by instructors, after which we have an on-land sailing demo.

Lifejackets are then issued and checked for fit.

It’s time to get out on the water. All students will be given “one-on-one” support and tuition for their first sail. There will always be those students who are reluctant to “give it a go”, nevertheless there are very few who fail to get out on the water.

The rest of the day the students are sailing, one sailor in the boat at a time, taking turns within their groups. A short lunch break is taken at about mid day. As confidence increases, we encourage them to discover their own abilities. Over the years, we have noticed that at this point those shrinking classroom violets come into their own.

The day concludes on a high note with a team relay race. Teachers and parents are welcome to take part.

After the Relay there is more sailing until about 2:00 PM when we bring the boats ashore and the students de-rig and pack away all the gear ready to leave for school by 2:30 PM.