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How can I get better at sailing?
Question: How can I get better at sailing?
I am doing a six week sailing course using pico’s, this is my first time sailing and I am not very good at it. I have just got my head around tacking. Can anyone give me any tips at all on how to stop myself from panicing when I catch the wind? I just lose it… :(
(sailing courses)
Best answer:
Answer by seattlesailor2000
practice, practice, practice….
this is all very new to you, there is a coordination that you will learn using the tiller, hiking and pulling in main sheet, or letting it out to control healing forces. that’s the fun part. right now you have to think about each action but with practice, you will begin to feel the boat and react automatically to her. the neat thing about small boat sailing is that for every action there is a reaction. just remember when going to windward, you can control healing by hiking, easing the main sheet, pinching into the wind (slightly) or even adding more twist into the sail by easing the vang.
here are some videos of kids having fun sailing picos
smooth sailing
hope this helps
Trust me, the worst thing you can do- is panic. Just think, the worst that can happen is you get wet when you capsize. If you don’t like catching the wind, reef your boat (if you dont know what that is ask your instructer. Or, you could find someone who is more confident at sailing and ask if you can share a boat with them, that way you can learn loads and not panic so much.
Once you get into sailing- you will never want to part with the water.