Sailing Instructors
It's Not the Ship, It's the Sailor. And a Great Instructor!
Tune-up your skills and your program curriculum. Here are some ideas on how to level up.
US SAILING COURSES and CERTIFICATIONS
Review and Register for all US Sailing courses here: https://www.ussailing.org/education/instructor/
US Sailing Starboard Portal: https://www.ussailing.org/starboard-portal/ US Sailing's new portal offers videos from the best coaches and experts around the country on topics ranging from sports psychology to sailing tactics and more - for all sailors of any age.
Level 1 CANDIDATES
Are you turning 16 this year? You are eligible to take US Sailing instructor certification for Level 1 Certified Sailing Instructor course. Level 1 training has changed from the past. It is now a 10-day online course followed by 2 days of in-person instruction and testing. This winter is the perfect time to get the online learning out of the way!
Students can sign up if they have completed the prerequisites for the in-person course (this includes having completed the online course before the in-person dates). They cannot take this course unless they have completed your online course by the start of the in-person course.
We are always setting up more Level 1s in our area, so keep checking US Sailing's website:
Level 1 Requirements
Safesport https://www.ussailing.org/competition/resources/safesport-us-sailing/
Team USA Teaching and Coaching Fundamentals: https://learn.teamusa.org/training/index
First Aid and CPR - US Sailing approved courses: AIhttps://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/courses/courses.pdf
Ohio Boater’s License www.boat-ed.com. This license is a requirement for anyone driving a boat with 10hp or more.
Level 1 - 10 day online course + 2 days in-person.
Current I-LYA Sailing Instructors
Keep the following up to date.
Safesport https://www.ussailing.org/competition/resources/safesport-us-sailing/ (Annual)
Team USA Teaching and Coaching Fundamentals: https://learn.teamusa.org/training/index (Annual)
First Aid and CPR - US Sailing approved courses: AIhttps://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/NMC/pdfs/courses/courses.pdf (Every 2 years)
US Sailing Instructor certifications expire after several years, so be sure to renew them as needed.
Level 2-3 certifications.
Level 1 is just the start! The following courses are often available in our area in the Spring, and we could run courses in the fall too. We are always looking to host more of these courses in I-LYA. If your club is willing to host, please contact Jamie Jones. All it takes is 4 420s, 2 coach boats, a classroom space and a whiteboard.
Level 2 Sailing Instructor
Level 3 Head Coach.
Level 3 Head Instructor courses are also available and are online only.
Get Ahead
Set aside some time to check out the free training videos from TEAM USA (the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams), they are very good - and have specific video training on coaching girls, and various age groups of kids which is a super way to become a better instructor this summer.
Improve Your Club Program
Do some digging - look at what other youth sailing programs around here and the rest of the country are doing and borrow their best ideas! Here are some programs with heavy curriculum like:
Camp Seagull and Camp Seafarer https://www.seagull-seafarer.org/
New England Science and Sailing www.nessf.org
Columbia Sailing School in Chicago. Www.Columbiasailingschool.org
REACH from US Sailing offers lots of cool fun activities to do on a rainy camp day. https://www.ussailing.org/education/youth/reach/