Saturday/Sunday
June 04, 05, 11, 12
The St. Croix Sailing Club is offering a class this spring in the basics of sailing and crewing on a variety of racing sailboats.
This class is for you if you have had some boating experience and are interested in learning about sailboat racing. The best way to get started in sailboat racing is by crewing! The class includes four days of instruction designed to help sailors develop the proficiencies necessary to become confident crew on racing sailboats. Class time will be split evenly between in-class instruction and on-the-water practice.
Each of the four class days will include classroom instruction from 8:00 until noon followed by on-the-water practice (weather permitting) until around 4:00 p.m. Lunch will be provided each day.
A 60-page handbook will be yours to keep. Morning classroom sessions include the basics of sailboat racing and crewing:
- Terminology
- Knot-tying
- Skippers’ expectations
- Race starts
- Sails and trim
- Strategy and tactics
- The Racing Rules of Sailing
Each afternoon you and your fellow class members will be assigned to a variety of boats to practice race maneuvers with experienced skippers and crew.
The Learn to Crew Class also includes a full one-year household membership in the St. Croix Sailing Club. As full club members you and your family are encouraged to attend all St. Croix Sailing Club social and sailing events.
This two-weekend class will be held at the St. Croix Marina in Hudson on June 4th & 5th, and on June 11th & 12th.
Prerequisite: Although no sailing experience is necessary, you must be comfortable on boats, particularly in wavy conditions.
Note: This class does not guarantee a crew position on a race boat for the remainder of the sailing season, as all race competition in the St. Croix Sailing Club is among privately-owned boats. This class does guarantee a great way to learn how a racing crew works and will help you to build both sailing skills and social connections within our sailing community.