Level 1 Sailing Instructor Course
A US SAILING Level 1 Instructor Training course will be held in conjunction with Community Sailing of Colorado, at Cherry Creek Reservoir, in late May 2010 (tentatively, May 27 – 30, 2010).
For up-to-date information, e-mail rachel@communitysailing.org or visit this link.
About the Level 1 Sailing Instructor Course
This is an intensive, four-day, forty-hour course consisting of classroom, dry-land drills, and on-the water exercises. (This is not a course to teach sailing; candidates are expected to be proficient sailors before the course begins.) The course concentrates on the teaching of sailing in small single-handed or double-handed boats. More information can be found at US SAILING's course description.
Location: The course will be based at the Cherry Creek Marina & Yacht Club on the west side of Cherry Creek Reservoir. Enter Cherry Creek State Park from the West Gate on Dayton Street, south of Union Avenue. Proceed east to the first left turn, then north to the building with the green roof. The class will be at the west side of that building.
Advice:
Register early. Allow at least 10 days before the course in order to receive your textbooks and begin studying them. .
Materials, supplies, & equipment: Instructor candidates will receive textbooks, manuals and other materials in advance of the course, which they are expected to have reviewed and bring to class. (These materials are covered within the course fee.) Candidates should bring necessary clothing and equipment for sailing, including personal flotation devices, lunch, water, sunscreen, notepaper & pencils. You may need a wet suit for the swim test, depending on water temperature. Bring a whistle.
Tip: Be prepared with layers of clothing for variable weather. Wear shirts with collars; tee-shirts are considered "unprofessional attire" by our Instructor Trainer.
Curriculum: Candidates will receive instruction in theory & techniques of learning as applied to teaching sailing, dry-land drills to teach specific skills & knowledge, and on-the-water drills. The official US SAILING statement includes these topics:
Prerequisites: US SAILING lists the following prerequisites for taking the course:
- Teaching from and using a Safety Boat.
- Use of land and on-the-water drills.
- Sports psychology and physiology
- Lesson Planning
- Classroom teaching techniques for eye-hand coordination skills
- Risk management and other legal issues
- Safety considerations
- Rainy day activities
- Experience and expertise in sailing small boats.
- Experience in operating a safety boat. This skill will not be taught, but will be tested. See http://www.ussailing.org/training/Instructors/SBLevel1/sbskillstest/index.asp for an animated review of tested skills.
- Safe Boating certification. Colorado candidates over age 15 can take the online course & test at http://www.boat-ed.com/co/index.htm.
- Meet the requirements to operate a powerboat where the course is being held, either by holding a Colorado Safe Boating Certificate or by reciprocity. (See above.)
- Current USCG approved CPR and First aid certification (e.g., Red Cross).
- Successful completion of a swim check. (During course.)
- Current US SAILING individual or family membership.
- Completed application form accompanied by appropriate course fee (and any late charges).
- Completed Medical Form (provided with course materials; bring to course).
- Minor candidates must bring the completed waiver form to the course (provided with course materials).
- Completed Safety Boat Skills Self Assessment Form (provided with course materials; bring to course).
- Ability to exhibit appropriate personal and interpersonal skills.
Tests & Evaluations: There will be written tests and practical evaluations of skills & knowledge. Candidates will present lesson plans, lead dry-land and on-the-water drills and be tested on swimming and safety-boat operation.
Certification: Successful candidates can receive certification to teach sailing in small boats.