Spring Sailing School

Come and Learn to Sail at a

Week Long Camp
at the

Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron

October 10th – 14th 2022

Sailing Pathways

Camp Program

What to Bring

Testimonials

Gallery

RSAYS Academy offers Australian Sailing Pathways
from beginner to advanced.

START SAILING 1

Your ‘Discover Sailing’ journey starts here as you learn the fundamental skills of sailing and are introduced to the fun of dinghy sailing in a safe and supportive environment.

You will learn: Basic clothing and equipment selection, sailing terminology, boat launch and recovery, capsize recovery in shallow water.

START SAILING 2

Your ‘Discover Sailing’ journey continues as you master all of the

fundamental dinghy sailing skills.

You are now equipped to sail your dinghy on your own voyages of discovery.

You will learn: rigging of the boat, capsize recovery in deeper water, sail a triangular course, basic sailing rules and theory.

KEELBOATS

allow you to learn to sail without the fear of capsizing, and usually with several other people on the boat. Learning to sail in self-righting keelboats (or trailer sailers) provides a learning platform that is stable yet responsive.

As your skills progress, you will also develop an understanding of each person’s role and how teamwork plays a major part of being an effective crew.

START RACING

Your ‘Discover Sailing’ journey now introduces you to the fun and challenge of competition as you learn the basics of racing.

You will learn: basic racing rules, perform basic racing skills, gunwale capsize recovery.

YACHT SAILING

Our last day at sailing school involves sailing on a yacht or larger vessel.

Sailing school has offered a variety of experiences over the years from racing yachts to tall ships.

In 2022 students will sail on the famous Maxi Yacht Brindabella.

Camp Program

All programs will be managed though learning by doing and activities will be designed to be fun and engaging.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 1 Monday
There are a number of safety expectations required by Australian Sailing and so day one will very much be an aquatics focus. Swimming, rescue, safety and knowledge. All programs will be managed though learning by doing and activities will be designed to be fun and engaging.
9:00am*	Arrive	Sign in
9:15am	Campcraft	Grab tents and set them up. Stow Gear
10:00am	Parade	Welcome and group assignment. Sobraon/Tingira watch
Session 1 and 2 activities will be covered before lunch. Session 3 and 4 activities will happen in the afternoon. Session 5 will be supervised during that time separately one boat at a time. Capsize drill will be later in the day.
Session 1 Preparation	❏ Knows appropriate clothing to suit conditions ❏ Can identify and use appropriate safety equipment ❏ Demonstrate an understanding of the need for protection from environmental elements
Session 2 Boats and Equipment	❏ Ropework ❏ Able to rig boat with assistance ❏ Identify the commonly used parts of the boat
12:30pm Lunch.	Please remember on Day one you bring your own lunch.
Session 3 Sailing Theory	❏ Port/starboard ❏ Overtaking vessels ❏ Windward/leeward ❏ Identify wind direction ❏ Able to source weather forecasts
Session 4 Skills and techniques	❏ Able to launch and recover boat with assistance ❏ Correctly tack and stop the boat ❏ Successfully sail a windward/broad reach course ❏ Paddle boat around a marked course
Session 5 Safety and Emergencies	❏ Perform capsize recovery in shallow water ❏ Participate in single boat towing
5:00 Dinner prep	Tingira on duty
6:00pm Dinner
7:00pm	Dinner clean up all hands
7:30pm	Evening activities
9:30pm	Activities closed. Get ready for sleep
10:00pm	Lights out. Get some rest. Big day tomorrow.

Return

Day 2 Tuesday
7:00am	Wake up
7:30am	Breakfast	Tingira on duty
8:30am	Breakfast clean up	All hands
9:00am	Parade 5 essentials	Brief of the day’s activities 1. Boat Balance 2. Centreboard 3. Good Course 4. Sail setting 5. Boat Trim
9:30am	Sailing in the Port River	Launch and sail Pacers No go zone/ aware of points of sail Correctly adjust sail to match direction and conditions Can trim jib under direction Comfortably trim jib to appropriate points of sail
11:00am	Morning Tea	Review
11:30	Return to activity	Launch and sail Pacers Demonstrate confidence as a team in all roles. Demonstrate good communication. Confidently Tack, Gybe, Come along side – MOB (Mock)
1:00pm	Return from Activity	Get ready for Lunch
1:15pm	Lunch	Self serve
2:15pm	Lunch clean up	All hands
2:30pm	Review starting Flags
3:00pm	Return to activity	Practice starting and racing
5:30pm	Return from activity	Get ready for Dinner Sobraon on duty
6:00pm	Dinner
7:00pm	Dinner Clean Up	All hands
7:30pm	Break
8:00pm	First Aid or other evening activity.	Recognition Be able to suggest at least five different situations that could be classified as an emergency. Knowledge DRSABCD Mock Emergency activity
9:30pm	Activities closed	Get ready for sleep
10:00pm	Lights out	Get some rest. Big day tomorrow.

Return

Day 3 Wednesday
7:00am	Wake up
7:30am	Breakfast	Sobraon on Duty
8:30am	Breakfast clean up	All hands
9:00am	Parade	Brief of the day’s activities
9:30am	Introduction to J24	J24 Keel boat rigging and layout
10:00am	Sailing in Port River	Launch and sail J24’s More people are needed to operate a keel boat and so simple roles on a dinghy are spread out on a keel boat. We follow the same program of developing skills in all roles on the boat.
11:30am	Return from activity	Review
12:00pm	Lunch	Self serve
1:15pm	Lunch clean up	All hands
1:30pm	Plan afternoon activity
2:00pm	Return to activity	Launch and sail J24’s No go zone/ aware of points of sail Correctly adjust sail to match direction and conditions Can trim jib under direction Comfortably trim jib to appropriate points of sail
4:30pm	Return from activity	Review days activities.
5:30pm		Get ready for Dinner Tingira on duty
6:00pm	Dinner
7:00pm	Dinner Clean Up	All hands
7:30pm	Break
8:00pm	Evening activity.	Planning cruising
9:30pm	Activities closed	Get ready for sleep
10:00pm	Lights out	Get some rest. Big day tomorrow.

Return

Day 4 Thursday
7:00am	Wake up
7:30am	Breakfast	Tingira on duty
8:30am	Breakfast clean up	All hands
9:00am	Parade	Brief of the day’s activities
9:30am	Review of J24	Planning days activities
10:00am	Sailing in Port River	Launch and sail J24’s Continue to give everyone a turn at roles. Continue to upskill.
11:30am	Return from activity	Review
12:00pm	Lunch	Self serve
1:15pm	Lunch clean up	All hands
1:30pm	Plan afternoon activities	Review starting
2:30pm	Return to activity	Launch and sail J24’s Racing
4:30pm	Return from activity	Review
5:30pm		Get ready for Dinner Sobraon on duty
6:00pm	Dinner
7:00pm	Dinner Clean Up	All hands
7:30pm	Break
8:00pm	Evening activity.	Planning cruising
9:30pm	Activities closed	Get ready for sleep
10:00pm	Lights out	Get some rest. Big day tomorrow.

Return

Day 5 Friday
7:00am	Wake up
7:30am	Breakfast	Tingira on duty
8:30am	Breakfast clean up	All hands
9:00am	Preparation	Brief of the day’s activities Prepare lunch for self and crew.
10:00am	Yachting day.	Cruising on Brindabella
3:00pm	Return from activity	Review and pack up
5:00pm	Prepare for Dinner	All hands
6:30pm	Award dinner	Look after special Guests
9:00pm	Close

Return

What to Bring

Please note programming can vary depending on weather, skills etc and we are always flexible with the group.

EQUIPMENT

The Spring Holiday Sailing Retreat is a camp. You will be sleeping in tents.

This is a fully catered camp. (Except for Monday Lunch. Please BYO Lunch on Day one.)

Please remember your mattresses, pillows, changes of clothes and any other comforts.

This course packs a lot of content so being rested and comfortable is important.

We supply tents but if you prefer your own tent or swag you can bring your own.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED EQUIPMENT.

Personal Protective Equipment

We have plenty of life jackets but if you prefer to bring your own that is OK.

Additionally you will need.

Sailing clothing.
- Rash vest or Swim T- Shirt
- Swim suit – Shorts
- Optional but encouraged – Wet Suit
- Wet boots or sneakers you can swim in.
Dinghy Gloves – I have some spares but having your own is recommended.
Sunscreen
Hat keepers.
Glasses straps.
Spray Jacket
Cold- Warm weather clothing,
Whistle
Water bottle
toiletries

Medications

Please declare these with your medical plan to the Cadet Chief.

Weather

Sailing is very dependent on weather and our schedule is dynamic. Theory is done when the weather is poor and practical is done when the weather is good. We never miss good sailing opportunities. We are fortunate at RSAYS that we have a very protected area in the pond where the wind is significantly reduced. Then we have the port river which doesn’t experience significant swell. Then we have the Gulf for those perfect weather days.

Testimonials

“Sailing is so much fun. I came to this five-day camp to learn how to sail and I was so sad to go home at the end. It’s so much fun that I would rather go sailing than go to a fun park and go on rides. When you are in the boat, it rocks around and you have so much fun. They teach you everything that you need to know and they are always there making sure you are OK and that you are safe.” Sophie.

“I’m Oscar and I’m now a member of the RSAYS. I can say with ease that every time I come to a lesson or on camp I learn something about sailing, knots and boats. I have made new friends and earned new badges and my leaders are wonderful.” Oscar.

“The whole camp was a great learning experience. I made lots of friends. I knew no one at the start. I learnt how to rig the Pacers and the J24s. The capsize drill was great even though it was freaky and I was laughing a lot. Sleeping in the dinghy shed was fun and new. We stayed up late and played pool, tag and Cluedo.” Izzy.

“It was a wild race to the finish. Both J24s were neck and neck. It was my first time racing as a skipper against an experienced sailor. The other boat suddenly tacked, crossing the finish line and leaving us in defeat. This is a true story from the sailing race that happened on sailing camp. Before the camp I had no clue how to sail, let alone skipper a boat. With the help of the amazing RSAYS Sailing School instructors I could confidently sail a boat after only five days! The School was not just an ordinary sailing school. It felt like everyone was almost family, and it was an experience that I will remember for years to come.” Alex.