Step 4: Beginner Dinghy Sailing
Beginner Dinghy Sailing (ages 12 and up) is designed to introduce students to sailing dinghies independently (small sailboats with centerboards instead of keels). Dinghies are small, fast, fun, close to the water, and capable of capsizing!
Description
Once students have become comfortable and confident enough to sail independently, they move into Step 4. This is a beginner dinghy Step taught in RS Quests designed to get sailors comfortable with capsizing and the other basics of sailing in dinghies before moving onto the more advanced Lasers and 420s in Step 5. Instructors provide diverse activities, games, and drills for sailors to become acclimated to these new boats as well as explore the technical side of sailing from a different vantage point from the Rhodes 19. Step 4 students will also have the chance to sail to a Boston Harbor Island for an overnight camping trip, which is generally regarded as the highlight of every Step 4 student’s session at Courageous. Like in Step 3, students will continue to have weekly science lessons. In the interest of demonstrating the wide variety of boats and sailing styles, Step 4 students will also try their hand at sailing in some larger boats including, but not limited to, our J80s.
Sample Daily Schedule:
8:45 Arrival
8:45-9:15 Chalk Talk – go over the water skill or activity of the morning
9:15-10:00 Rigging the boats
10:00 – 12:00 Sailing
12:00-1:00 Lunch and activities in the tent
1:00-3:00 Sailing
3:00-3:15 Derigging
3:15 Dismissal
Course Information
| Dates | Duration | Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| July 1 – July 19 (no program July 4) | 3 weeks | See Fees Page |
| July 23 – August 9 (no program July 22) | 3 weeks |
- Location:
- Charlestown
- Daily schedule:
- 8:45am – 3:15pm
- Extended day:
- 8am – 5pm (*Requires additional $150 tuition)
- Resources:
- FAQ
- How fees are set
- What to bring each day
- Swim test requirement
