How to make a sailing trip with kids more enjoyable

When you take the kids out with you sailing, do they know what to do in a capsize?


It can be a good idea to practice a capsize in shallow water before you take them out so they know a few key things.  This gives the kids a fun, memorable introduction to capsizing and sailing. 


So what they could come away with is: 


- Capsizing is fun
- Stay calm
- Swim out from under the boat 
- Stay with the boat 
- Swim around to hold the end of the centreboard 
- Pull down on the end of the centreboard until the boat is righted
- The boat will turn so the bow is into the wind (by itself) and stop
- Climb on 


Aim to give confidence from outcomes of the practice such as: 


They can swim under a sail or out from under the boat.
The boat is there to give them something to hold and climb on. 
Holding the end of the centreboard will increase leverage. 
The sail will flap and the boat will stop once righted.
They can get back on by themselves - give them a few tips on how to do this. 


Now is the fun part where they can look forward to a capsize!  


Warning: Kids may wish to capsize and swim all day rather than go sailing!!!! 


Check the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l63Zhgvk3gg
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Author, Melinda Henshaw, is an ex Olympic sailor and is a member of NZ Marine Association and the Boating Industry Association of Australia