Howzit Guys,
As an Examiner and Trainer I often get asked how is a few days skipper training going to teach someone to be a skipper! Well its not! The idea behind the course and the training is to lay down the basics so when it comes to skippering your boat you can make decisions based on what you have learnt. The best teacher is experience! Back in the day you basically did the theory and one launch and you where done. Now that you have to do 12 launches on differant days( 4 as a min per day ) This insures the skipper has at least a little experience in differant seas etc.
I had a guy say to me he sore a chap flip his boat at sodwana and had only done his skippers 2 weeks ealier! well I have seen guys flip there boats and they did there skippers 30 years ago! Its happens, its the sport! what you do once it happens is what counts and thats when the basics kick in.
Then i get asked, whats stopping the guy from getting any skipper to sign the log sheet for the 12 launches! Nothing! but if you want to be an ass you going to see your ass.
next question: Why do we have to do Chart work? Simply to learn to be observant and aware of where you are at all times. To set a foundation and teach the basics so later in life when you might want to upgrade its there. Thats just two reasons!
My advice to new skippers is, take your time to do the course, go out with more experienced skippers, ask questions, if in doubt dont go out!
Have Fun!
Lemon
As an Examiner and Trainer I often get asked how is a few days skipper training going to teach someone to be a skipper! Well its not! The idea behind the course and the training is to lay down the basics so when it comes to skippering your boat you can make decisions based on what you have learnt. The best teacher is experience! Back in the day you basically did the theory and one launch and you where done. Now that you have to do 12 launches on differant days( 4 as a min per day ) This insures the skipper has at least a little experience in differant seas etc.
I had a guy say to me he sore a chap flip his boat at sodwana and had only done his skippers 2 weeks ealier! well I have seen guys flip there boats and they did there skippers 30 years ago! Its happens, its the sport! what you do once it happens is what counts and thats when the basics kick in.
Then i get asked, whats stopping the guy from getting any skipper to sign the log sheet for the 12 launches! Nothing! but if you want to be an ass you going to see your ass.
next question: Why do we have to do Chart work? Simply to learn to be observant and aware of where you are at all times. To set a foundation and teach the basics so later in life when you might want to upgrade its there. Thats just two reasons!
My advice to new skippers is, take your time to do the course, go out with more experienced skippers, ask questions, if in doubt dont go out!
Have Fun!
Lemon
