Learning is a lifetime experience, I've been sailing for 37 years, and the more I know, the more I realize how much I don't know. I think most intelligent people realize this.
I'd like to think, sailors in general, are attracted to the complexities of sailing and therefore enjoy learning. I've learned SO much, just reading this forum.
I teach a safe
boating course for the State, as well. It's an 8 hour class. Clearly, no one is an accomplished boater after 8 hours of classroom
training. What I try to do, in the course of the day, is to let them know all the resources that are available, (besides practice) to increase their knowledge. I do the same thing in Basic Sailing
Classes. I bring my copies of the CG regs, chart number 1, Chapmans, etc. to show them where to go for infor
At the same time, I think, one of my goals as a teacher, is to try to make sure new students have fun and enjoy their 1st experience. If they get hooked as I did long ago they may find a lifetime of enjoyment. If they have a miserable day, or if I make sailing seem so complex and overwhelming they may walk away and never come back.
The
School I teach for, had me observe a class before letting me teach solo.
It was blowing that day and the instructor had all the
canvas flying, with the rail in the
water and the
boat was way over-powered. I looked at the faces of the students and none of them were having fun. They all looked like they were miserable with apprehension of capsizing. I whispered to my colleague that we should reef and once we did...there was much better mood aboard. What might be a thrilling ride for some of us, could scare the hell out of a
novice.
It was a good lesson in reefing though, and for reefing at the dock!