Introduction to Catamaran for Beginners
The Introduction to Catamaran for Beginners consist of 10 hours of instruction on Locarno Recreational Catamarans Level 1, led by a Cansail-certified instructor from MacSailing, over three days of lessons:
- Mondays: 18:00 - 21:00 (3 hours)
- Thursdays: 18:00 - 21:00 (3 hours)
- Saturdays: 10:00-14:00 pm (4 hrs)
*** This course does not include a check out. ***
Goals
This is the perfect course for you if you are a monohull sailor sitting on the edge... maybe never sailed a cat? No problem! not sure how to climb from your Laser to a Catamaran? You are in the right place.
The objective of this primer course on catamaran sailing is to get familiar with the specifics of a double hull boat, and start to develop the basic skills you need to safely sail a Locarno recreational catamaran Level 1 without spinnaker. You will rig and sail Locarno Nacra 500 and 570 with the guidance of our CAN Sail certified instructor.
Upon completion, you will be ready to crew Catamarans skipped by more experienced members and take turns on the helm, in different wind conditions, to build up your skills. After ~20 hours of sailing, you and your fellow skippers will have an idea of whether you are ready to try to check cats on your own, in which case you can register for the Rigging Clinic and On Water check out Level 1 led by our Catamaran Captain.
If after this primer and crewing 20 hours on your own, you do not feel ready yet, no problem, you can take the recreational Catamaran Level 1 Refresher lessons that concentrates on safety, launching and landing, where you will have the opportunity to practice capsizing the Nacra 500 and 570 with your instructor to get ready for check out.
Prerequisites
To be able to take and make the most of this course, you should have the equivalent of CANSail 2, CYA Bronze or equivalent experience sailing monohulls, both single and dual handed. We recommend (not mandatory) our Sailing Beginners lessons or Refresher lessons plus 20 hours of monohull experience or 10 hours crew experience on catamaran.
Attendance at a Catamaran Level 1 rigging clinic prior to the lessons would also be helpful but not mandatory. Ideally, you will at least review the Rigging Guides and videos from our website - before attending the first class.
If you are not sure, send an email to sailinglessons@clublocarno.com and we will get it from there!
Location
The class will meet near the Locarno sailcraft aisle, under the white tent (you will see a table and a whiteboard).
* Please try to arrive early so lessons can start on time. *
Registration
The lesson will be cancelled if no one has registered on time.
Cancellations must be done at least 48 hours before the first lesson, by email sailinglessons@clublocarno.com
