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 9 years literally over 1500 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.
"Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
* Complete Set of Programs #22 to #31, plus #11
Save money and order the complete set of sailing programs #22 to #31, plus #11. You can view the complete list of programs and their descriptions below.
Price: $54, 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
Program #22 Introduction to 'Have good crew? Want great?'
Why do we race sailboats?
Building blocks for success
Boat speed and handling
1 or 2% is the difference
Performance analysis
Before you leave the dock
Price: $12
Program #23 Boat Handling
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
When to train
Why have a crew
Crew organization and principles
Boat speed and handling
Divide and conquer
Define crew positions
Do your own job
Practice
Rotating positions
Sailing with another boat
Finding crew
Getting help
Keeping crew
Bad news is good news
Atmosphere on your boat
Getting information
Communication
Price: $12
Program #24 Introduction to Trim - Advanced
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
Making a boat move
Why do we have a sail and keel?
Sail shapes
What is lift?
Keel lift
Sails and keel combined
Attention to detail
Sail maker's goals
Depth and draft
Twist
Mains and genoas
Keels
Evolution of sails
Measuring performance
Details for upwind sail trim
New approach
Price: $12
Program #25 Upwind Boat Handling
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
Tacking properly
Tactician
Driver
Crew
Roll tack
Tail and grind
Start here: Trimming
Hiking
More tacking ideas
Straight line sailing
Ducking
Reefing
Genoa change
Positions responsibility for foresail change
Sail changes
Stowing sails
Flaking
Price: $12
Program #26 Foresail Trim and Controls
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
The foresail trimmer
Foresail power
Angle of tack
Shape of sails
Twist in a sail
Balance of power
Sail selection and controls
Measuring and duplicating halyard settings
Forestay sag
Foresail leads
Foresail leads tuning
Foresail sheet
Adjustment examples
Never quit!!
Reaching trim - a reacher
Barber hauling
Reminders
Boad (low) reaches
Price: $12
Program #27 Mainsail Controls
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
3 sources of power for the main
Power through the angle of attack
Power through shape
Power through twist
Controls
Mainsheet
Leech telltales
Main sail trimming
Secondary controls
Boom vang
Mast bend
Outhaul
Traveler
Preferred method of adjustment
Luff tension
Vang sheeting
Mainsail controls
Reaching trim
Running trim
Fully battened mains
Not quite full length option
Price: $12
Program #28 Upwind Helmsmanship
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
Driver info
Boat speed
Pointing
Feel of your gut
Feel of the wind
Feel of the helm
Angle of heel
Jib telltales
Info from trimmers
Comment from the rail
Steering upwind
Using jib telltales to advantage
Full speed mode
Acceleration mode
Point mode
Pinching
Feathering
Gentry tufts
Tacking
Calling trim from the helm
Narrow or forgiving
Proper power
Wind and waves
Weather helm
Turbo sailing
Starts
Practice staring techniques
Price: $12
Program #29 Spinnaker set and trim
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
Attach the bag
Set the pole
Fasten the sheet
Level the pole
Pre-feed the guy
Attach the halyard
With a healed boat
The set flying
Trimming the spinnaker
Degrees for the spinnaker
Reaching trim
Running trim
Price: $12
Program #30 Crew Positions and Gybing for the Spinnaker
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
Spinnaker techniques
The bear away spinnaker set
Spinnaker jibes
Jibing the spinnaker (end for end)
Jibing the spinnaker (The dip-pole jibe)
Various Spinnaker take downs
After dousing the spinnaker
Choices
Price: $12
Program #31 Improving Your Chances of Winning
* Part of "Have Good Crew? Want Great?"
Before the race - environment
PHRF
Race environment
Tides
Winds
Crew
7 days before the big race
Distractions before the race
Knows the strengths and weaknesses of your boat
Knows the strengths and weaknesses of your opponent
