LearnSailing.org :: Learning Tools

"This is excellent. Well done, and very informative."

- Vern Burkhart,
Past Commodore of RVYC

In Association with Education Enrichment Center

Learning Tools

In 2000 Roger Aubin started to sail. He began as a complete beginner. He wanted to help out the community by taking people who have never sailed before on the water.

Roger took his C&C 24 out every day for 3 hours for the first three years. He quickly gained knowledge and skills. As his trade is a teacher, he continued to teach new people who came on board on his Fun Sails.

After 6 years literally over 1000 people have enjoyed the water on Roger's boat.

These presentations are to A) Help educated new and experienced sailors in the art of sailing, B) Raise money for the continual upkeep of Annie 74345, and C) help educational sailing programs.

These learning programs are great for skippers who have new crew, skippers who want a refresher, and crew who want to know more.

As well they are great fundraisers for Yacht Clubs and other organizations.

50% of all profits go to organizations that help new sailors learn new skill and become safe on the water.

You can also decide to have the proceeds go towards the charity or sailing program of your choice.

In 2006, Learnsailing.org helped sponsor these events:

Patos International Race
Round Saltspring Race
Women in Wind Regatta
Vende Saltspring
Cowbay Regatta
Easter Seal's "Raise Your Sails"

Donations have been made to:

Royal Victoria Yacht Club's Junior Program
Royal Sidney North Saanich Club's Junior Program
Saltspring Island Sailing Club's Junior Program
Maple Bay Yacht Club's Junior Program
Disable Sailing Association
Canadian Power Squadron (Victoria)

Important Notes

These interactive programs have been created as PowerPoint Presentations. They are easy to use with the free PowerPoint Viewer available from Microsoft.
There are sample programs available for viewing on our Samples page.
All prices shown are in Canadian Dollars.
All purchases will go through PayPal -- a highly secure site where you can use most types of credit card, or other methods of payment.

"Have New Crew?"

* Complete Set of Programs #1 to #11

Save money and order the complete set of sailing programs #1 to #11. You can view the complete list of programs and their descriptions below.

Price: $48, including delivery on a CD.

"New to Dinghies?"

* Complete Set of Programs #11 to #21

Save money and order the complete set of sailing programs #11 to #21. You can view the complete list of programs and their descriptions below.

Price: $30, including delivery on a CD.

* CD, Including Shipping Costs

Our usual method of "delivery" is to e-mail you a link to your copy of the sailing program(s). However, if you'd like to receive a CD in the mail with your ordered program(s), please add this $7 CD to your order. This cost includes shipping and handling.

If you order more than 5 programs,
they must be delivered on a CD!

You must order a CD if you are purchasing more than 5 programs. The CD is included in the price of the "Complete Sets" packages, as listed above. Orders of 5 or fewer programs can be e-mailed, if you prefer.

If you choose this option, be sure to include your mailing address during the Paypal checkout.

Price: $7

Program #01 Names on and off the boat * Part of "Have New Crew?" Understand the names and places on a boat. Understand the terminology in relationship to the boat. Knowing the names of the lines on a boat. Understanding what the lines do on the boat. Understanding the names of the sails and why to use them. Knowing the sides and corners of the sails. Knowing the equipment names on a boat. Price: $10	Program #02 How to set up & put away the boat * Part of "Have New Crew?" Understand where you place the lines. Understand how you raise and lower the main. Understand how you raise and lower the foresails. Understand how you raise and lower the spinnaker. Understand how you fold sails. Understand how to get the boat ready and put it away. Price: $10
Program #03 Sail Trim * Part of "Have New Crew?" Understand what the lines do (much more detail than names on and off the boat). Understand how to trim the foresail to get the maximum performance. Understand how to trim the main to get the maximum performance. Understand how to trim the spinnaker to get the maximum performance. Understand the theory of reduce sail can help your speed. Price: $10	Program #04 Sailing Rules * Part of "Have New Crew?" Understanding the basic rules of sailing. Knowing the rules at start lines. Knowing the sequence for a start. Knowing the flags on a start line. Comprehending the sounds for the start sequence. Understanding the windward mark rounding rules. Understanding the leeward mark rounding rules. Comprehending the rules when you are passing or getting passed by another boat upwind. Comprehending the rules when you are passing or getting passed by another boat downwind. Price: $10
Program #05 P.H.R.F. * Part of "Have New Crew?" Comprehending what a handicap formula is. Knowing the drawbacks and advantages of handicap formulas to your specific boat. How current, tides, chop, physical features, and lack or too much wind effects the formula. Price: $10	Program #06 Flags * Part of "Have New Crew?" Knowing the alphabet by flags. Knowing the flags used by Race Committee. Understanding what each flag means (diver down, need help, I want to communicate with you, I need a pilot and much more). Understand what the flags mean to the shipping and navel vessels. Know the flags and pennants for numbers. Understanding what eh pennants mean. Price: $10
Program #07 Morale * Part of "Have New Crew?" Knowing how to keep the morale high. Understanding the responsibilities of the skipper. Understanding the responsibilities of crew. Examples on how to communicate to each other. Explain how to work as a team. Examples use on Annie. Price: $10	Program #08 Long Distance Strategies * Part of "Have New Crew?" (this is good for the cruiser to get the most out of their sail too!) Understanding how current effects boats. Understand how chop effects a boat Understand how other boats effect the wind for you. Understanding the effects that physical features affect the current. Understanding the effects that physical features affect the wind. How to use wakes as a benefit. Price: $10
Program #09 RTB Strategies * Part of "Have New Crew?" Knowing the courses for Round the Buoys. Knowing the names f the markers in the racecourse. Knowing what to look for before a race. Knowing some starting strategies. Comprehending the flag sequence for the start. Knowing some mark rounding strategies. Knowing the finish line strategies. Price: $10	Program #10 Starting and Mark Roundings * Part of "Have New Crew?" Knowing what to look for and get ready in the Pre Start Stage. Knowing the goals and rules for a great start! Understand racing tactics for Starts. Knowing what to do when there are wind shifts. Comprehending strategies for a fast start. Understanding the concept of the first leg of a race. Understand racing tactics for mark Roundings. Understanding the differences of good and bad air. Know the flags for Race Committee. Price: $10
Program #11 Annie Accomplishments Explain the history of Annie 74345. Explaining how Annie went form not knowing anything to winning important regional races in a few years. Understanding the goals of Annie and crew (both racing and getting huge numbers of people sailing for free). Explaining Annie’s 5 and 10 year plans and when they were accomplished and the ones yet to be accomplished. Price: $10	Program #12 Optimist Sailing * Part of "New to Dinghies?" What is a Optimist? Great Fact Side of a Boat Parts of an Optimist Going into the wind Going a beam of the wind Going down wind Dagger Optimist Sail Trimming the Sail Steering Weight on the boat for Moderate Winds Weight on the boat for Light Winds Using weight for Steering Price: $10
Program #13 Laser Sailing * Part of "New to Dinghies?" What is a Laser? Specifications Under Current Rules Side of a boat Parts of a Laser Going into the wind Going a beam of the wind Going down wind Dagger Laser Sail Trimming the Sail Steering Weight on the boat for Moderate Winds Weight on the boat for Light Winds Using weight for Steering Price: $10	Program #14 Fireball Sailing * Part of "New to Dinghies?" What is a Fireball? The History of the Fireballs. Sides of a Fireball. Parts of a Fireball. Relating to the winds Dagger or centerboard. Parts of the sail. Trimming the sails. Steering the boat Using your weight to help the boat go faster. Price: $10
Program #15 White Sails Level 1 * Part of "New to Dinghies?" Life Jacket Clothing Capsizing Right a boat What your boat has to have Special Items 5 useful knots Where is the wind coming from? Coiling Rope When you are finished Terminology Defining terms Price: $10	Program #16 White Sails Level 2 * Part of "New to Dinghies?" Identify parts of the boat Where you are compare to the wind Tacking Gybing 2 useful knots Getting under way from the beach Skipper’s commands Stopping the boat Righting a dinghy Docking on the beach Price: $10
Program #17 White Sails Level 3 * Part of "New to Dinghies?" Similar to many level three sailing courses. With one and two it makes a basic package for new sailors. Price: $10	Program #18 Bronze Sails Level 1 * Part of "New to Dinghies?" What to look for before you sail. Flotation devices Arranging rope Naming parts of a dinghy Use of the mainsail What you change in different types of weather. Crew’s duties Price: $10
Program #19 Bronze Sails Level 2 * Part of "New to Dinghies?" The different types of anchors; The strengths of each one Amount of rode or purchase to get out when anchoring The purpose of the centerboard How much centerboard to use and when. Naming parts of a spinnaker How to launch a spinnaker How to trim a spinnaker How to gybe a spinnaker How to douse a spinnaker Price: $10	Program #20 Silver Sails * Part of "New to Dinghies?" The people who run a race or regatta: Race organizers The notice of race. Race Instructions Race committee Protest committee Scorers Some of the flags used in a race Terminology used to communicate with in your boat. Price: $10
Program #21 Gold Sails * Part of "New to Dinghies?" What to look for before you sail Log Book Performance Objectives My Goals Your Goals Regatta Schedules and Goals Physical Training Program On-Water Training Program Mental Training on Training Mental Toughness Transportation and Program Administration Definitions Racing Strategies Price: $10