Virtual Sailing conducts coaching trial
Virtual Sailing, manufacturers of the only advanced sailing simulator 'VSail-Trainer', have begun a coaching trial in Melbourne, Australia. The trial aims to explore novel methods and develop new protocols for teaching youngsters how to sail. 
'Happy sailors on the VSail-Trainer'
John
Mooney
We already know that Generations Y and Z relate differently to the learning styles of previous generations. They are much more into Enquiry Learning and don't relate as well to Instructive Styles. Using the 'VSail-Trainer' the students will learn at their own pace in a non-threatening environment.
'It doesn't take them long' says Virtual Sailing coach John Mooney. 'After all, how long is it since you saw an adult instruct a teenager on how to use a mobile phone?. This generation is not afraid to experiment and try things, it is like a game to them'
'VSail-Trainer' is fantastic for this. You can remove fears, such as healing, capsizing etc, to start with. Once the students have learned the basics of helming and sail control, they can then move on to tacking, gibing, hiking etc when they are ready.
Virtual Sailing in conjunction with Altona Sailing Club selected a small primary school in Melbourne's West, where sailing is a rare activity. Ten students from grade 4 with an average age of 9-10 were the lucky ones chosen to participate.
'It is already progressing well' reports Mooney, 'consider that not one of the students had ever been on a sailboat before, only two could swim, and some were understandably very nervous to trying sailing - and at the end of the first session on the 'VSail-Trainer' all could steer and handle the mainsheet. They were having so much fun that, they insisted on activating the heeling.'
On water coaching takes a lot of time dealing with fears and anxieties which spring from the sailor not knowing what to do or what is going to happen next. Instructors spend a lot of time teaching the 'Language of Sailing' so the student will understand. 'Virtual Sail-Boat eliminates most of that' says Mooney. 'They learn the terminology over the whole course, we don't need it to begin sailing'
The trial is 6 weeks long and includes a trip to a swimming pool to allay fears of the non swimmers and on water sessions at the conclusion. 'I am confident we will have 10 keen little sailors after this trial' Mooney said.
Contact Virtual Sailing www.virtualsailing.com.au
by Sail-World
Alexandra Headland, QLD
