She Sails Elliott 7s Skipper Program
Details
Course information
She Sails Elliott 7s Skipper Program
Women's Intermediate Sailing Development
Program Fees
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$300 – Standard Registration
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$250 – Current CYCSA Members
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$150 – Current YSF Squad Members
Enquiries & Registrations
For more information or to register your interest, please contact the Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA).
All participants are required to email the CYCSA Head Coach outlining why they would like to attend the course, what they hope to achieve, and their previous sailing experience. - ysf.coach@cycsa.com.au
Phone: (08) 8248 4222
Email:sailing@cycsa.com.au
She Sails – Elliott 7 Skipper Development Program
Overview
The She Sails Skipper Development Program is designed for women with intermediate sailing experience who want to build confidence, develop their leadership skills and become capable, independent skippers.
Delivered over six weeks on the Elliott 7s, the program combines practical on-water coaching, boat handling, racing skills, decision-making and crew management.
Participants will progressively take greater responsibility at the helm, developing the confidence to skipper an Elliott 7 safely and effectively in both recreational sailing and club racing environments.
Program Objectives
By the end of the program, participants will:
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Develop confidence skippering an Elliott 7 independently.
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Improve steering, boat handling and sail trim.
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Understand the responsibilities of a skipper.
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Develop effective crew communication and leadership.
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Improve racing skills, tactics and decision-making.
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Build confidence participating in club racing and other sailing opportunities at CYCSA.
Who Is the Program For?
This program is suitable for women who:
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Have sailing experience in dinghy, keelboats or attended a intermediate sailing course/program.
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Have some experience sailing as crew or helming.
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Want to develop their confidence and skills as a skipper.
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Are interested in recreational sailing, racing or taking on leadership roles onboard.
Program Structure
Duration:6 weeks – Saturday sessions
Session Length:3 hours
Boats:Elliott 7s
Location:Cruising Yacht Club of South Australia (CYCSA)
Each session includes a short theory briefing, practical on-water coaching, skill-based exercises, sailing scenarios and a post-session debrief.
Weekly Program
Week 1 – Introduction to Skippering
Focus:Understanding the Elliott 7 and the responsibilities of a skipper.
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Introduction to the Elliott 7, boat setup, safety and key systems.
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Understanding the skipper's role, crew positions and communication.
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Basic helming, steering, tacking and gybing.
Week 2 – Boat Handling & Boat Speed
Focus:Developing control and confidence at the helm.
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Improving steering, boat balance and crew weight placement.
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Understanding sail trim and efficient upwind and downwind sailing.
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Practising smooth tacks, gybes and controlled manoeuvres.
Week 3 – Wind Awareness & Decision-Making
Focus:Learning to read conditions and make confident decisions.
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Identifying wind shifts, gusts and changing weather conditions.
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Adjusting steering, sail trim and boat handling to suit conditions.
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Developing situational awareness, safety and independent decision-making.
Week 4 – Racing Skills & Race Management
Focus:Building confidence skippering around a racecourse.
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Introduction to racing rules, starting procedures and racecourse awareness.
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Practising starting techniques, mark roundings and boat positioning.
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Managing crew roles and communication during short practice races.
Week 5 – Tactics, Strategy & Leadership
Focus:Developing tactical awareness and effective crew leadership.
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Understanding basic race strategy, wind shifts and fleet positioning.
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Making tactical decisions while maintaining boat speed and control.
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Building leadership through clear communication, crew management and feedback.
Week 6 – Putting It All Together
Focus:Applying the skills developed throughout the program.
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Taking responsibility for boat preparation, crew allocation and sailing plans.
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Completing practical sailing challenges and short races with minimal coaching assistance.
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Final debrief, personal feedback and identifying future sailing opportunities at CYCSA.
Program Focus:
The Intermediate Fleet Program includes scheduled and regular coaching. Allowing you to practice and race in club and class association programs at clubs.
At Intermediate Fleet level you may remain active- for-life, and enjoy lifelong activity which can cross multiple disciplines, and class of boat or board.
During the Intermediate Fleet Program, there is continued freesail opportunity to support further enjoyment in the sport and environment.