Australian Sailing OutThere Sailing 2

OutThere Sailing 2 is the second level of Australian Sailing's teen program, aimed at 12 to 17 year olds. It builds on the introductory skills from OutThere Sailing 1, keeping the same social, non-competitive feel while you spend more time actually sailing and less time being shown how.

Who it suits

• Teenagers who have done OutThere Sailing 1 or have similar basic skills
• Tackers graduates who are already comfortable in a small boat
• Teens who want to sail more independently, with or without friends aboard
• Students counting activities towards the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, which the program can contribute to

What you'll actually do

The recommended length is 12 hours, with equipment provided. Sailing is mainly in dinghies with one to three people aboard. Clubs run it in different formats, from holiday blocks to sessions spread over several weeks.

Expect to refine the basics (tacking, gybing, steering a course and setting the sail) and to take more of the decisions yourself: rigging, launching, choosing your route around a course, and helping each other out on the water.

Key ideas explained

• Using telltales — the small strips of wool or ribbon on a sail show how the air is flowing. When both sides stream back smoothly, the sail is set well.
• The five essentials — a checklist many sailors use: sail trim, balance (boat flat), boat trim (weight fore and aft), centreboard position and course made good.
• Centreboard — the fin under the boat that stops it sliding sideways. It is mostly down going upwind and can be raised part-way going downwind.
• Right of way basics — a boat on starboard tack (wind coming over the right side) has right of way over one on port tack; when on the same tack, the boat to windward keeps clear; and an overtaking boat keeps clear.
• Crew roles — in a two or three person boat, the helm steers and makes the calls, while crew handle sails and move weight. Swapping roles builds skill in both.
• Capsize recovery — dinghies tip over from time to time. Learning to right the boat calmly with a partner is part of becoming a confident sailor.

Where it fits

Some venues also offer keelboat sailing. Older teens interested in bigger boats can ask the club whether Keelboat Start Crewing suits them.

Getting ready

• Clothes — clothes and shoes that can get wet, a towel, a change of clothes, a hat, sunscreen and water. A light spray jacket or wetsuit top helps on cooler, breezier days.
• Lifejackets — expect to wear one on the water; the club provides the safety gear.
• Refresh the basics — think back over which way to push the tiller to tack, and what the no-go zone is, before the first session.
• Bring a friend — the program is designed to be social, and sailing with someone you know makes it more fun.
• Questions for the club — the session format and times, which boats you will use, and when OutThere Sailing 3 runs.

For parents

Equipment is provided and sessions are run by qualified instructors. Check the format and pick-up times, and ask how the club handles unsuitable weather.

Good to know in Australia

Search OutThere sessions on Australian Sailing's course finder. Sea breezes build through the afternoon at many Australian venues, so expect livelier conditions later in the day.