Optimist Sailing Course Details
Optimist Sailing Course Syllabus
Optimist Junior Sail 1: Introduction to Optimist Sailing
(minimum 14 hours)
A simple and fun introduction to sailing in an Optimist dinghy focusing on the basic skills of steering, balance and simple sail trimming. Two children may sail together on each dinghy if appropriate.
(Certificate is awarded based on attendance)
1. Personal Preparation
Buoyancy Aid / life jacket
Appropriate clothing & footwear
Sun protection & hydration
2. Boat Rigging
Equipment care & storage
Can assist to rig an Optimist Dinghy
Knows correct names and functions of parts of an Optimist Dinghy
3. Capsize recovery drill & water confidence
Swimming in a buoyancy aid / life jacket
Has taken part in a capsize recovery drill with mast head flotation
knows about inversion and to always stay with the boat
4. Launch and Recovery
Can launch an Optimist Dinghy with assistance
Knows how to control a dinghy safely on a slipway
Understands how to slow down and return to shore under instruction
5. Basic Controls
Has knowledge of all the basic controls, ie rudder, main-sheet, dagger-board
Knows where to sit and how to balance the dinghy
6. Basic Sailing Techniques and Manoeuvres
Can steer in a straight line looking ahead
Knows how to stop the boat, and control speed (slow down)
Can sail a reach-to reach course
Knows the proper technique to tack the dinghy
Understands how to be towed safely
Aware of no go zone and upwind sail trim but not expected to sail upwind without assistance
Has knowledge of downwind sailing and sail trim.
Knows about gybing. Candidates may learn to gybe if appropriate
7. Knots & other theory
Can tie a figure of 8 knot and knows about other knots
Is aware of local hazards
Knows about wind direction and the importance of the weather
Knows how to call for assistance
8. Boating & the environment
Disposal of rubbish
Re-usable drinking bottles
Optimist Junior Sail 2: Optimist Helm
(minimum 14 hours)
On completion of the course, successful sailors will be able to sail an Optimist dinghy single-handed in light winds on all points of sail.
The syllabus includes all items from Optimist Junior Sail 1 plus the following:
1. Personal Preparation
Participants should be able to prepare themselves for sailing without assistance, including choosing and adjusting a correctly fitting buoyancy aid without help
2. Boat Rigging
Can rig an Optimist Dinghy with minimal help
Knows the importance of rigging head-to-wind
3. Capsize recovery drill
Can demonstrate the ability to right a capsized Optimist with mast head flotation
Has taken part in an inverted Capsize recovery drill without mast head flotation
4. Launch and Recovery
Can safely move an Optimist dinghy onshore
Can launch with minimal assistance
Understands how to slow down and return to shore with minimal help
5. Basic Controls
Participants should be able to handle the tiller and tiller extension properly while controlling the main-sheet and sitting in the correct position
Understands the use of the sprit control and kicker
6. Sailing Techniques and Man-oeuvres
Can tack and gybe their dinghy
Can sail upwind and downwind
Can control boat speed
Can get out of “Irons”
Can sail on all points of sailing
Has knowledge of the 5 essentials and how to apply them
7. Knots & other theory
Can tie a reef knot and other knots as appropriate
Knows several ways to find the wind direction
Knows how to find a weather forecast
Has knowledge of the Port and Starboard rule and basic rule to always avoid collision
Understands the importance of buoyancy bags and boat buoyancy
Knows they should “tell someone ashore” if sailing alone
8. Boating and the environment
Sources of pollution at sea & rubbish disposal
“reduce, reuse, recycle”
Optimist Junior Sail 3: Optimist Skipper
(minimum 14 hours)
On completion of the course, successful candidates will be able to launch and recover an Optimist Dinghy safely without assistance and sail single-handed in light to medium winds round a basic triangle course.
The syllabus includes all items from Optimist Junior Sail 1 and 2 plus the following:
1. Personal Preparation
Choice of clothing for different weather conditions
Physical warm-up exercises
2. Boat Rigging
Can rig an Optimist Dinghy without assistance (except lifting of mast)
A basic understanding of proper sail shape (use of sprit)
3. Capsize recovery drill
Can demonstrate the ability to right a capsized Optimist from inversion without mast-head flotation
4. Launch and Recovery
Can launch and recover a dinghy without assistance
Understands the effect of different wind directions on launch and recovery
5. Sailing Techniques and Man-oeuvres
Can tack and gybe efficiently, remaining in control throughout the man-oeuvre
Can sail upwind and downwind efficiently, with correct balance and trim
Can sail round a course that includes upwind and downwind legs using all points of sailing
Has practised Man Overboard Recovery
Can come alongside a moored or stationery boat
Has taken part in a fun race 6. Knots & other theory
Can tie a bowline and other knots as appropriate
Knows the basic rules of the road (Port-Starboard, Windward-leeward, overtaking boat)
Understands weather forecast and different wind strengths
Is aware of the dangers of Hypothermia, Hyperthermia and dehydration
7. Boating and the environment
Disposal or take-home rubbish – securing items in dinghy
Biodegradable pollution & non-degradable pollution
Recycled & re-usable materials
Toxic-free cleaning materials & “WOW - Water Only Wash-downs”
Wildlife at sea
Optimist Junior Sail 4: Optimist Start Racing
(minimum 14 hours)
On completion of the course, successful sailors will be able to race an Optimist dinghy round a simple course in medium winds and have a basic understanding of starting, race techniques and racing rules.
The syllabus includes all items from Optimist Junior Sail 1, 2 and 3 plus the following:
1. Personal Preparation
Aware of other clothing or equipment useful for racing including a wind indicator, digital watch with countdown, wet-suit and/or hiking shorts.
Physical warm-up exercises
2. Boat Rigging & set up
Can rig an Optimist Dinghy without assistance
Understands how sail controls effect sail shape
Can adjust sail controls on the water to maintain the correct sail shape for the conditions
3. Capsize Recovery
Candidates should be able to right a fully inverted Optimist dinghy, bail efficiently once it is righted and continue sailing.
4. Sailing Techniques and Man-oeuvres
Can sail the dinghy efficiently on all points of sailing
Is able to fully apply the 5 essentials to maximize performance 5. Knots & other theory
Can tie all knots in previous courses and others as deemed appropriate
Can interpret the weather forecast at a basic level, with regard to wind direction, strength and the Beaufort scale, and how this relates to sailing
Knows where to obtain tidal information, high and low water and tidal flow
6. Racing theory
Starting and finishing procedures & sound signals
Individual and general recall.
Basic Racing Rules (RRS)
Types of courses.
Individual safety, when not to race & outside assistance
7. Racing Techniques & man-oeuvres
Use of tell tales,
Sailing in clear wind and effect of wind shifts, (headers & lifts)
Mark rounding – approach, wide in, narrow out
Proper hiking technique & correct setting of toe straps 8. Racing Tactics
Starting fundamentals including positioning, speed control, and appropriate tack.
Basic knowledge of line bias
Understands wind shadow and covering upwind & downwind