Session 1:  Basic technique - how to be smooth without upsetting the boat

Rowing

  1. Sit up tall at the catch (beginning) and release (end of the stroke).
  2. When taking a stroke, keep your oar handles parallel to the water.
  3. Have a soft grip on the oar handles at all times.
  4. At the catch push with the legs and swing with the back at the same time.
  5. Let the arms hang straight until after you back starts to go past the up-right.
  6. At the release (end) of the stroke draw the oar handles to the sides of your ribs.
  7. Do an emergency stop by pushing up on the oar handles with your knee caps.
  8. Turn the boat in a circle with little, gentle backing and paddling strokes.
  9. Steer the boat by periodically looking over your should at the release position.
Kayaking
  1. Sit up tall at the stroke's catch (beginning) and release (end) positions.
  2. The paddle motion should be continuous, like swimming, with no jerking.
  3. Have a soft grip on the paddle with the pushing and pulling hands at all times.
  4. The upper hand is about nose height through most of the paddling motion.
  5. On the stroke, keep your chest parallel to the paddle shaft by rotating your abdomen and hips about 40 degrees, & making an 85-degree paddle arc.
  6. At the end of the stroke quickly let your upper shoulder drop and relax.
  7. Do an emergency stop by back dragging the paddle next to your hips.
  8. Steer and turn the boat with 3 different paddle strokes, not the rudder.
  9. Balance the boat with hip swing, low brace, and high brace.
Sailing
  1. Make sure the boat's standing rigging, steering, sheets, and sails function well.
  2. Enter the boat and push off the dock prepared to set sail, or set sails into the wind.
  3. Sail into the wind at an approximately 45' angle to the eye of the wind.
  4. When sailing with others, use recognized signals & terms for tacking & jibing.
  5. Once a turn is commenced, keep the tiller moving so the hull maintains speed.
  6. After completing each turn, carefully recheck sheets for tangles.
  7. When performing a downwind jibe, hand retract the boom to avoid problems.
  8. Demonstrate close haul, beam reach, and running positions of the boom.
  9. Slow and dock the dinghy by using 360' turns, and upwind turns.