Trials, or how to instill the love of sailing in the young

[curtisv]

Rick, Bill,

When we bought our CP23 our kids, Erin and Daniel, were 14 and 10 so we didn't start them out nearly as early as Rick and Bill.  We did have them both swimming at a young age and skiing starting at 3.  Even at 10 attention span is short - same with teenagers, maybe worse.

The kids seem to love putting the rail in the water.  Once they get confidence then its even better if Mom is nervous about it.  So don't worry about sailing with too much sail up as long as you don't risk a knock down in a gust.  Except you might hear from Mom about it.

If the wind is light, anchor and toss the kids in.  Literally.  Daniel used to love having Dad toss him off the foredeck or out of the cockpit.  Stop and swim a lot and it breaks up the sailing enough to keep the kids a bit more amused - assuming they are strong swimmers.  Just be sure not to anchor in a current.

Erin and Daniel are older now, 21 and 17.  Daniel now sails alongside and all over the place in his sunfish while Mom and Dad daysail around and anchor.  The CP23 makes a good platform to take someone else out on the sunfish or give a friend a chance to sail the sunfish for a while.

Give them the tiller as soon as they are able.  I'll bet Rick's son will be ready to try the tiller real soon and then it will be really great going out with Dad.  OK - maybe Dad will have a hand on the tiller.  Just a tiny amount of weather helm can be overpowering for a little guy but its still more fun to be helping handle the boat than just watching Dad handle the boat.  Don't forget the camera for that first day at the helm.  It will have to wait til next season unless you are sailing in Florida.

Curtis

[Rick Klages]

Little Rick driving "Steppin' Up"

[curtisv]

Rick,

Way to go.  I can see by the water behind the boat that the boat was moving.  And Little Rick is sailing with no help from Dad and a big smile.  Can't beat that.

Curtis