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Daman Kumar

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Jun 21, 2023, 7:50:20 PM6/21/23
to Seattle Laser Fleet
Hello, Sailors,

I'm a newbie sailor trying to find the best way to get started with sailing, and hopefully racing, Lasers. I completed the SailNow program at The Center for Wooden Boats a few weeks ago, and was able to get certified on a Hobie Wave at Sail Sand Point just before finishing the program at CWB. Here are the options I think I have:

1. Enroll in classes at SSP - all booked; currently on waitlists
2. Book a 2-hour private lesson at SSP, enough to get certified, and teach myself post that
3. Buy a used Laser, and teach myself - unless I can bring the boat *into* the condo I rent each time I take it out sailing, this is not an option; HOA doesn't let renters or owners store boats in the parking lot
4. Read, watch videos, and try to get certified at SSP on a light wind day since the test only includes tacking, gybing, and capsize recovery. Teach myself from there.

Option 4 seems the fastest/easiest way to, excuse the pun, get my feet wet with Lasers. My only concern is Lasers (small dinghies in general) being so unstable that I cannot perform a couple of tacks and gybes even in light wind. Am I being overly conservative?

Option 2 is the next best thing, I guess.

Thought? Other ideas? Thanks in advance!
Hope to be on the water with you soon!

Daman

Jeff Mahnke

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Jul 18, 2023, 11:18:33 PM7/18/23
to Seattle Laser Fleet
Get on the water as much as possible.  There are great training videos on YouTube.  I found the International Sailing Academy to be dry helpful. And they have guidance on how practice and learn with online coaching and support available with a monthly subscription.  https://learn.internationalsailingacademy.com/

Pablo Sailing

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Jul 19, 2023, 2:34:01 AM7/19/23
to m.dama...@gmail.com, Seattle Laser Fleet
i've put a few hundred ilca sailing videos here https://www.youtube.com/@ilca_masters

pablo


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