|
 |
Yachting Australia Corporate Partner
|
|
Yachting Australia
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proficiency levels in the National Windsurfing Scheme
| Course | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 4 |
| Content | Basic Skills | Improving Techniques | Stronger Winds | Advanced Longboard | Advanced Shortboard |
| Launching, Starting, Landing | Carrying the board and the rig. Launching and uphauling. The neutral position | Launching and landing by the stern. Introduction to beach starts | Carrying the board and rig assembled. The beach start. Uphauling in stronger winds | The waterstart. Launching through small waves. Carrying techniques | Launching shorter boards. Beach starts in waves. Uphauling and water starting |
| Sailing Techniques, Stance | Sailing across the wind, upwind, downwind and around a triangle course | Improved stance on all points of sail. Sail trim and centreboard adjustment | Use of harness, footstraps and mast track. Sailing the triangle course in stronger winds | Refined stance and improved steering. Closing the slot and optimising speed | Stance, Speed and control. Wave riding and jumping. |
| Manoeuvres | Turning the board by leaning the rig. Basic tacking and gybing | Improved tachking and gybing. Stopping and turning in restricted areas | Tacking in stronger winds. Gybing variations. Holding a stationary position. | Tacking in stronger winds. Sailing backwards. The carve and non-planing gybes | Different gybes for shorter boards. Tacking for the short board |
| Rigging | Names and uses for all parts. Rigging, correct tensions and adjustments | Choosing the correct sail. Parts of the sail. Tuning for different windstrengths | Types of sails and rigging. Adjustment of harness lines and footstraps | Rigging of high performance sails. The latest in sail design and materials | Rig selection. Tuning and rigging for wave and slalom sailing |
| Rescue Techniques, Safety | Safety, rules and regulations. Completing a full self rescue | More about self-rescue. Towing and being towed. Carrying spares | Self rescue in stronger winds. Rescuing another sailor and towing upwind | Rescue techniques for extreme situations. Jury rigging | Short board rescue techniques. Surf survival and right of way in waves |
| Sailing Theory | Points of sail, the no-go zone and how to steer. The triangle course | All the points of sail plus centre-board and sail position. How a sail works | Apparent wind, railing the board and use of mast track. Racing tactics and rules | Sail twist and spin out. The theory of speed. Advanced rules and tactics | Sail twist and spin out. Types of jumps and landings. Waves and slalom events |
| Sailing Conditions | On and offshore winds, weather reports and choosing a good spot | Weather awareness. Tides, currents and sea breezes. Legal restrictions. | Interpreting the weather map and predicting change. Ideal locations. | The effects of highs and lows. Reading the wind. Finding the best conditions. | Waves, rips and currents. Best wind directions and local hotspots. |
| Equipment | Learner boards. PFDs and wetsuits. Transport and care of equipment. | Board types and their uses. Protective clothing. The harness | Fully battened sails, care and repair. An introduction to shorter boards. | Board and fin designs. High tech sails, care and repair. Best combinations | Boards and sails for wave and slalom. Custom boards and special fins |
| Other Aspects and Options | Local associations and clubs. Basic freestyle for improving techniques | Freestyle, different competition formats. About the instructor courses | National classes and associations. YA and state bodies. More freestyle. | International classes and organisations. The best choice. Advanced freestyle | The wave and slalom circuits. Shortboard freestyle and the latest wave manoeuvres. |
