5 Reasons your kid should sail (and nto just for kids!)
/Vol. 1, No. 11
- Self-Confidence. There is simply nothing like being able to pilot your own craft at the age of 9 years old. Riding a bike is one thing. Skillfully steering and docking a sailboat is quite another. All of my athletic endeavors helped to shape my sense of self as a kid, but sailing was without a doubt the most instrumental. I have not only noticed this in myself; during my ten years as a sailing instructor, I have seen it again and again in my students.
- Spatial awareness. When kids learn how to navigate a boat through narrow spaces and tight turns—how to avoid collisions, coast to a dock with finesse, or squeeze into a packed starting line at a regatta—they develop a spatial awareness that will bring them prowess all activities that involve coordination. Like driving, for instance.
- Sense of direction. When I was 10 years old, I would sail all week with my class, and then go out on weekends by myself. I would pack a lunch and take my Optimist out for a couple of hours to explore. I believe that it was on those trips that I began to develop a good sense of direction. Noticing which direction I had come from, picking out landmarks, and knowing how to get back became a regular part of my stream of consciousness. That awareness is crucial to having a sense of direction.
- Weather knowledge. Do you know from which direction thunder storms normally come? Do you know what the water temperature normally is on Long Island Sound in May? If your child is a sailor, he or she will know. Weather knowledge will come in handy both on-the-water and on land.
- Shipshape habits. Sailing students learn how to properly rig and unrig a boat. Kids learn to put things away in the right place, and keep them tidy while on the water. That’s a skill no mom or dad can argue with. Longshore Sailing School even has a shipshape award for every class to encourage the behavior.
So if your kids haven’t tried sailing, have them give it a try.
-DC
BoPRC launches Jetski Watersafety campaign.
We are involved with supporting it as much as we can including schools visits and practical on water youth education.
Bookings for our popular GoSail and GoWindsurf days coming in for term4 and early term 1.
Drop me a line to find out more and confirm dates
Hi, one of the things that makes running elements watersports so much fun is the variety. For example in the last few days I've been teaching powerboating and VHF from a super yacht in Auckland Harbour and then back in Tauranga getting a new sailor cruising up and down wind in an Omega dinghy from Kulim Park, Tauranga Harbour).
This variety is not just good for us, it's often given as the reason for why students choose us, particularly on the more advanced or big group bookings.
When run an activity we are also drawing on delivery methods and skills from other activities.
In my experience the best seasoned instructors always have a random coaching qualification, gained to improve instructional technique/ diversity. In my case it's a basketball coach award, I can't say I've used it much on a court but it comes to mind every time I develop drills and brief groups for an activity.
Just back after a trip to Hamilton to run a Boat Driving and rowing safety course for Hamilton Rowing Club with a few extras from other local rowing clubs.
It's been a fun day covering the RowingNZ / Coastguard boat drivers course in mostly warm autumn sunshine.
For full info on the safety courses we run for Sailing, windsurfing, rowing, wakarama, snorkeling and other activities around the water simply drop us a line on 0800 486 729 or by email.
Today the groups windsurf skills were challenged first with light and shifty winds and then judged as they windsurfed around a course.
The 42 students with us this week were assessed using the schools own criteria which after 14plus years is well refined.
We are also accredited to asses on the NCEA framework for the watersports we teach.
For full info email peter@elementswatersports.co.nz
