What is the Sailing Pathway for Sailing for life?

The easiest way to understand what the NTP is and how it beneficial is to look at sailing through the Sports for life pathway.

All sports, no matter the sports code, all around the world follow a defined sport for life pathway. This pathway is broken down into stages (i.e Steps 0 to 10), with each of the stages having a specific generic purpose in the development of the participant/athlete. This staged approach is backed by scientific research etc. in athlete participation and to ensure effective development of athlete’s progress in sport, by introducing or developing, key factors at the correct stage to better ensure retention and peak performance. The sporting codes then modified and enhance this pathway to speak specifically to the respective sports code.

For sailing the 10 Steps Sailing’s Pathway looks like as follows and is applicable to sailors of all abilities and ages, in all types of boats.

The first six levels are relevant to most South African Sailors.

Step 0 let’s go Sailing. An introductory sailing experience, perhaps through an invitation of a friend, a school’s program or visiting a club.

Step 1 My introduction to Sailing. The first level of learning to sail. Courses involve a syllabus providing the necessary for a basic understanding of how a boat sails, and basic ability to sail a boat on a reach and go about in 5-10 knots of wind. Within set hours (min of 6), and are run by qualified SA Sailing Instructors, at SA Sailing recognised Training Centres that have been recognised for the Learn to Sail Program.

Step 2 Building my Knowledge. Advancing sailing knowledge and ability to being able to sail around a triangular course under supervision. Min of 6 hours and also run by qualified SA Sailing Instructors, at SA Sailing recognised Training Centres that have been recognised for the Learn to Sail Program.

Step 3 Getting to know my boat. Further enhancing sail knowledge to enable the ability to rig, launch, sail a boat in any direction and return to the place you started. Min of 12 hours and run by qualified SA Sailing Instructors, at SA Sailing recognised Training Centres that have been recognised for the Learn to Sail Program.

Step 4 Improving my Skills. Providing confidence to sail a boat on your own up to 15 knots of wind and introducing Sailing in simplified races, with basic understanding and starting to use the World Sailing Introductory Rules, where the emphasis is on practicing skills, and social enjoyment, rather than outright competition. It is more social racing, and shorter races, often with pursuit starts and no use of spinnakers.

Step 5 Club Racing. The core activity of most yacht clubs, conducted under the International Rules of Racing. Once sailors have attained this level of skill, they can choose from many options, including enjoying a lifetime of recreational sailing. Sailors with this level of skill can also be more confident about their ability to go cruising away from their club, undertake the specialised disciplines of Teams and Match Racing, or progress to higher levels of fleet racing. It’s the level most people decide to buy a boat or crew.

Step 6 Interclub Racing. Sailors wanting to progress to the front of their club fleet and competition structure will look to representing their club at interclub events. They will enter class championships and large regattas away from their club. It is at this point that they will look to clubs for a club Race Coaching program, run by qualified Club Coaches. Race Coaches will tailor programs to meet the needs of individual sailors as are applicable to their ability, boat of choice and sailing aspirations.

Beyond Level 6, and even Level 5, are about the time when individuals start to look at the opportunities sailing provides and or ways of giving back to the sport. There are a variety of Pathways including International Competition, offshore racing and cruising in keelboats. Officiating as either an Instructor, Coach or as a Race Official, or vocational training and employment on one of these pathways.

For Youth, the Development Pathway beyond Level 6 is :-

Step 7 District/ Class Development Squads or Emerging Talent Squads.

For youth sailors wanting to progress to the highest level of competition, in the international classes. District/Class development programs coach them, and support their campaign to be selected in a regional high performance squad. These squads are class squads that are aimed at performance development within the class at a district/club level and may be run at one or more clubs within a specific district. This is the starting stage to performance development and introduces and develops competition mindset and ability.

Step 8 Regional Performance Development Squad

For youth sailors, who have made it to the top level of the Class performance and have been identified to have talent to be developed and are looking to further develop within a Sports Institute program with aspirations of working towards the next steps of the pathway.

Step 9 South African Hi Performance Sailing Squad

These are for sailors with proven record of accomplishment at world championship level that are sailors identified with potential to attain the South African Sailing Team.

This step/squad is open only to the athletes working towards meeting qualification requirements as is laid out by SASCOC eligibility document and is these stipulated events only, for example Youth World Sailing Championships, Youth Olympic Games, Para World Champs and Olympic classes.

The Ultimate stage, for those wanting to go there is the final step: -

Step 10 is The South African Sailing Team -SAST (Youth and Senior) These are the individuals that have met all the requirements as set out for SA Sailing and SASCOC edibility and have been formally selected and approved by SASCOC to be part of Team South Africa. These individuals will be eligible for South African Protea Colours.

(For senior sailors wanting to achieve in sailing as a sport, reference should be made to awards requirements for District, Regional and National awards as laid out in the SA Sailing Constitution and its bylaws)