Training courses are great for many things, not good at all for long-term dinghy training programs.
The misplaced reliance on training courses as a methodology for long term growth and retention has undermined Sailing …. yet we persist with adapting them.
Course based study by definition uses a set of classes and assessment toward certification. Course based study is essential, invaluable to Clubs for safe marine vessel operation, first aid, Tackers, Discover Sailing and the myriad of other applications, a heavy lifter in our sailing communities.
“But not for a long term dinghy Training Program”, whose primary purpose is to engage each sailor indefinitely ie 10+ years to adulthood.
It is important for a Club to consider how it will be remembered whenever sailors leave earlier than expected: Why should a young sailor leave before adulthood if they had that hope to continue, young sailors can be disappointed or disenfranchised by not being able to fulfil their dream, did the sailor make the right choice with sailing, was the Club adequately able to support, could that sailor have chosen another sport with more success, did the sailing experience compromise that, later as an adult would that sailor put their own child through that experience.
Clubs put courses together to create a positive experience, a long-term program in response to families and advice from AS; makes perfect sense. Families respond by bringing their child to sailing. The problems begin with the limitations of the course Program and long-term growth and retention expectations. Whether it is the fee structure, lack of Volunteers, the mixture of ages, certification and competence, responses by people, there will be problems that erode participation.
The Tackers Program only has instruction to deliver assessment to SLM learn-To-Race, a few sailors will dominate in junior green fleet racing, how will sailors become a competent youth and senior sailors. Even if some sailors persevere they will be in a class with dwindling numbers.
The upshot is that participation will be unpredictable creating uncertainty for Instructors and Coaches and Club investment. And while enthusiastic parents will continue to be drawn to sailing, overwhelmingly most will not be there for the Clubs future.
SLM has demonstrated itself as a stable platform to operate a long term growth and retention Training Program. SLM is a Program designed to develop Instructors, Coaches & sailors, build fleet knowledge at the club, a paradigm shift for sailing Communities in our own succession. Clubs have started operating around Australia, presented to Australian Sailing as pilot programs, efficient and lean operations producing confident and competent sailors to adulthood.
SLM Dinghy Program Development 