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Five experienced keelboat sailors and coaches recently participated in a keelboat coach development workshop on their way to becoming certified Yachting New Zealand keelboat coaches.
The workshop was held at Buckland’s Beach Yacht Club last month and was facilitated by Julie Kidman from Great Escape Sailing.
During the two days on and off the water, participants gained new skills in engaging adult learners, developing effective lesson plans and elements specific to sailing, such as safety aboard, communication on the water and Yachting New Zealand sailor pathways and coaching code of ethics.
Coaches in the workshop found it valuable to explore alternatives to telling and instruction and to get feedback from their peers.
Everyone gained new ideas to implement in their coaching, enhancing their ability to help those new to sailing develop the skills they need; whether they want to start crewing in club races or cast off for local cruising.
Congratulations to Angus Adamson, Blair Park, David Heard, Don Allen and Helene Winter, who are all now further equipped to teach and enthuse new keelboat sailors.
Yachting New Zealand are running a learn to sail coach course at the Murrays Bay Sailing Club on November 10 and anyone interested in upskilling can also sign up to complete Coaching 101 on our online learning platform, Embark.
Coaching 101 is an overview of what makes a good coach: what qualities are good to have, what needs to be worked on and understand the different roles you might play as coach. This course also covers good behaviours a coach should display and a module on safety.
If your club has a number of coaches looking to get qualified as a particular type of coach, contact Yachting New Zealand coach development manager Peter Soosalu at peters@yachtingnz.org.nz to discuss course opportunities and scheduling a course in your area.
