TEACHING STUDENTS TO SAIL


Set-up The place to start with trapping is the gear. Trap harnesses come in different sizes just like life jackets. It is important to have a harness that fits properly. It is important that the harness fits snug around your body and is not too big. The harness should allow you to stand up tall, but still feel snug in the shoulders. All harnesses come with a bar and hook system across the front of your body. The hook allows you to connect to the trapeze ring or “hook in”. The hook comes in different styles. A good, safe style is the quick release style, which allows the hook to be released from the trap harness when you want it too. An ill-fitting trap harness can cause stress to your lower back and cause fatigue as you compensate for shortcomings in the fit while out on the wire. The trap harness should fit comfortably underneath a lifejacket with room to adjust the straps in or out.


The other additional item to all your usual sailing gear is footwear. The rail of the boat can be very slippery when wet, usually the type of conditions where you would need to sail with a trap. Additionally, you can expect some wave action as the wind strength increases, so the sailboat will be moving a bit under your feet. It is recommended to wear sailing specific boots or shoes with a sole that will grip the rail. Ideal footwear will have a flexible sole to allow your foot to contour around the rail of the boat. Sailing barefoot is not a good option as you can cut or injure your feet easily.


Preparation Before Going Out on the Wire Before you leave the shore, have your students practice connecting and disconnecting the trapeze ring from their harness hook. The best place for this practice is on a dolly or dock in the actual boat. It’s imperative that you select a safe area for them to practice in this way and make sure there are measures in place to minimize injury if they fall.


It is important when demonstrating trapezing


technique that the bow of the sailboat is at least level as the sailor on the wire will feel like they are falling forward initially. Being able to unhook is as important, if not more important than hooking up. It is vital the crew on the trapeze wire be able to unhook quickly if the sailboat capsizes. The instructor should emphasize the unhooking and have their students practice doing it quickly.


The trapeze should be adjusted so that the sailor is suspended parallel with the water. Some traps have adjusters that you can change while on the wire; others will only allow change when there is no pressure on the wire. Make sure your sailors understand how the adjustment system works.


Table of Contents


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