RYA Sailing with Spinnakers

This course will teach you how to rig, launch, fly and recover a Spinnaker sail. The course is approximately 2 days long or the equivalent in hours. In a dinghy it takes excellent team work to succeed at flying a Spinnaker, so come prepared to share the experience with others and your instructor of course. Highs include zipping along the water so fast your boat may hum to let you know she is planing (going fast).

Lows might include getting confused when learning to rig a sail as big as a king size bed sheet. Which corner is which? Anyone know! Getting the balance right with an extra sail can be tricky and being super quick at adjusting the trim of your sails will be necessary. However, the worst that happens is you get a bit wet and if you get your kit wet you can use some of ours. To keep you comfortable we can supply you with a wetsuit, boots and wind proof jacket.

So if you are willing to give it a go and have some fun learning to go super, super fast, the spinnaker course is for you.

You must be RYA Adult Level 3 or RYA Youth Stage 4 or have equivalent experience to join this course. Find a friend, neighbour or colleague, if you book for more than 1 person a discount will be applied. Need at least 2 to run this course. Let us know if you are interested by calling or emailing us on 03161 610 160 / info@whiteadderwatersports.org.uk

This course is for those with an RYA Youth Stage 4 or an RYA Adult Better Sailing Level 3 certificate or similar experience.

Please bring with you:

1. Wetsuit (if you have your own one, otherwise we will provide you one)
2. Swimwear (for under your wetsuit which we provide)
3. Spare change of clothes (e.g. board shorts and active top for warmer days)
4. Closed toe footwear (that you don’t mind getting wet, just in case our boots don’t fit you)
5. Cap & sunscreen (for warmer days)
6. Woolly hat (for cooler days)
7. A towel
8. Food and water bottle (appropriate for the duration of the course) Coffee and tea, microwave and kettle available but no cafe.
9. A separate bag (for wet and dirty things)
10. Any personal medication (e.g. inhaler)

Please also note the below:

1. We would advise all jewellery is removed
2. Long hair should be tied back
3. Any cuts of grazes should be covered with waterproof dressings

We will work through the learning points in the RYA Sailing with Spinnakers log book. We have asymmetric spinnakers on Laser 2000's and Laser Bahia's.

Learning Points In Summary

Practical

Can rig a spinnaker.

Can launch a boat with an open transom.

Can sail as crew or helm and can hoist, gybe and drop the sail as either crew or helm.

Understands and can sail the best course downwind.

Can perform a capsize recovery including the spinnaker.

Knows how to recover from total inversion.

Background / Theory

Has knowledge of race courses for type of boat.

Understands the concept of apparent wind sailing.

Understands the effect of hull shape on performance.

Can access information and apply rig set up for different conditions.