Lesson Plan: Downwind Sailing
Level 1 Instructor Lesson Plan: #11 Focus Skill
Downwind Sailing Class Factors Students: Number, Age, Skill Level, Boat-Type Students: 6 students, ages 9-12, Beginner, Single-handed Time: Duration of class
3 hours Sunny, 6- 8 knots, 72 degrees
Weather: Air & Water Temp, Wind Speed, Forecast Setup Chalk Talk:
• Whiteboard/Markers • Magnetic Boat
Land Drill:
• Rigged Boat on Grass, Carpet or Dolly
10 minutes
Materials needed to teach each step in the progression of learning, prep before students arrive.
On Water:
• Tree Marks • Floating Objects; Tennis Balls, Pool Noodles, Lifejackets, Pool Toys
Progression of Learning - Chalk Talk Purpose Value Statement: Explain why this focus skill will help connect to their sailing knowledge.
If you need to reach a destination downwind, you will need to know how to navigate your boat successfully along a downwind course. Steering and boat balance are really important!
Prior Skill Knowledge: What skills you need to know before learning about this new skill (brief review)
Wind Direction, Parts of the Boat, Steering, Controlling Heel, Jibing, No-Go Zone, Points of Sail, Upwind Sailing Artful Questions (1-2) to engage youth and help them connect to their prior experiences
How do you keep the boat balanced? If your sail is all the way out, how do you keep your boat balanced? If you turn leſt or right while sailing downwind, what happens?
Content: Introduction:
Sailing downwind is sailing away from the direction that the wind is coming from. Downwind sailing requires careful coordination between sail trim and steering your boat. Your boat is being pushed by the wind coming over the stern (the back of the boat). Show Points of Sail Diagram.
Talking points with details:
Mechanics of Sailing Downwind: • Heading: Steer the boat to a downwind course so the wind is coming over the stern. • Sail Trim: Ease your sail from ¾ of the way to all the way out.
• Steering: Hold your downwind course by adjusting your sail trim and your course at the same time.
Tips for Avoiding accidental jibes: • Avoid turning bow toward the wind, the sail will luff when you do.
• Avoid bearing away from the wind too much, the sail could switch sides very rapidly and jibe.
• Move body weight more towards the centerline of the boat. • Be mindful of wind shiſts and gusts!
• Body Position: Sit on the windward side with good posture. Slide slightly further back in the boat, but still clear of the tiller.
Wind 15 minutes Goal(s) What do you hope to accomplish?
To be able to sail downwind, without accidentally jibing while maintaining proper boat balance and sail trim.
Diagrams/Videos links: Reference the Skill Up app to see this skill in action.
Erase the boat diagrams but keep the right-triangle course. Ask students to describe the correct points of sail that allow you to sail to each leg of the course (consider labeling marks by color or number).
Check for Understanding: Ask questions that probe for understanding. Y_SB_024_Feb2022_11DownwindSailing
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