A 1-day dinghy sailing course is typically designed as an introductory experience or a refresher for beginners. The structure aims to balance theory and practical sailing time, focusing on safety, basic boat handling, and building confidence on the water.
Here's a typical structure:
Morning Session
1. Welcome & Introduction (30–45 min)
Gather in a circle. Meet the staff and your fellow sailors. We’ll run through the course goals so you know what to expect. We’ll cover safety gear and signals, how to get back in the boat, and the basics of reading the wind and tide. Watch a short demo on how to set up the boat on the shore, and you’ll be set to start rigging.
2. Rigging & Boat Familiarization (30–45 min)
We’ll point out the parts of the dinghy: the hull, rudder, centerboard, and sails. Next, you’ll learn the step-by-step of how to rig your boat, and when you finish sailing, how to de-rig. We’ll finish this section with a quick introduction to the mainsheet, kicker, and outhaul.
3. Land Drills or Simulated Practice (15–30 min)
Using a practice dolly, we’ll work on how the mainsheet and tiller work together. You’ll get a feel for turning the boat and controlling the speed. We can move this to the water if there’s extra time.
Midday Break (Lunch) (45 min to 1 hour)
Afternoon Session
4. On-Water Session 1 (1–1.5 hours)
We’ll launch the fleet and practice coming alongside for a tidy landing. You’ll learn to sail on a beam reach, how to tack through close-hauled angles, and steer to a simple triangular or figure-eight course.
5. Debrief & Feedback (15–20 min)
We’ll huddle up on the shore to talk about what went well and what had a few hiccups. Your questions are welcome: no question is too small.
6. On-Water Session 2 (1–1.5 hours)
You’ll repeat the drills from Session 1, but with added speed and wind pressure. If the conditions are friendly, we’ll introduce a small, controlled gybe. If the clock and the wind agree, we can set up a capsize drill.
Wrap-up (15–30 min)
You’ll work in pairs to de-rig the boats properly and wash down the gear. We’ll then go over the key skills you practiced, talk about follow-up courses, and hand out a certificate if you met the course goals.
Optional Additions (time and weather permitting)
A demo on how to right a capsized dinghy, a quick run through common sailing terms, and a few important knots.