Intermediate Optimist Course

This is the second and intermediate level that an Optimist sailor will strive to achieve after the basic course. An Opti-Racer will possess a skill level that will allow him/her to be able to sail safely under minimum supervision, and to participate in sailing races safely and competently. This is the minimum level which club sailors should strive to achieve. The course will be offered in English through the Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC) in Pattaya.

During the course, the children will repeat their level of basic sailing, such as safety on the water, detailed rigging of the Optimist, more knots, wind-direction, current, sail-trimming, basic racing flags, racing rules and racing courses.

After they finish the course, they will possess a skill level that will allow them to sail safely under minimum supervision, and to participate in sailing races safely and competently. This is the minimum level which club sailors should strive to achieve.

General information:

This course is meant for sailors who have finished the beginner’s course successfully. They should have had sufficient practice after the beginner’s course and they should have kept up their level. On the first day of the course, the children will be assessed to see if they level is sufficient; maturity and responsibility will be considered in this assessment.

The course includes four full days, starting at 9.00am and finishing at 4.30pm. Students who complete the full course will be awarded a certificate. To qualify for a participant’s certificate, attendance at all sessions is required.

If you are interested in proposing a child to participate in the course, please return the form below as soon as possible. Due to the number of available boats, the course is limited to 15 students.

Conditions for Entry:

1. Students must have successfully finished the beginner's course. For safety reasons, the coach reserves the right to exclude those children from the course who have not passed the assessment and whose level has diminished due to insufficient practice between the time finishing the beginner’s course and starting the intermediate course. Those children will be recommended to repeat the beginner's course.
2. Students must be proposed by RVYC members, but need not be RVYC members’ children. Priority will be given to children of RVYC members. Participation by non-RVYC students is subject to conditions laid down by the General Committee.
3. All students must be under the supervision of an RVYC member during sessions at the RVYC, and will be responsible for their own transportation, accommodation, lunch, etc.
4. The course fee is 6,000 Baht + VAT, payable on the first day of the course. This fee includes boat rental, two coaches and boat boys, rental of rescue boat and course materials. The fee may be paid in cash or by cheque payable to “Royal Varuna Yacht Club.” Once you have entered the course, no refunds can be given.
5. Each student must be able to confidently swim 100 metres in open water (the ocean) with a life jacket on. Participants need to have their own well-fitting life jacket. (A life jacket that is too big could cause danger).

Course Schedule:

The content of lessons at RVYC is somewhat dependent on wind and sea conditions, and consequently the schedule is open for interpretation only by the Lead Sailing Instructor.

The course schedule in principle during the week will be as follows:

Daily:                09.00–10.00  Theory

                        10.30–12.00  On the water

                        12.00–12.30  Debriefing

                        12.30–13.30  Lunch provided by parents and play

                        13.30–15.00  Coaching on the water

                        15.00–16.00  Theory and training

                        16.00–16.30  De-rigging.        

Course subjects taught during course:

• Rigging an Optimist and understanding Optimist parts and their usage.
• Trimming of sail and understanding usage of tell-tales.
• Knowledge of tides and currents, and use of tide tables.
• Tying knots: Clove Hitch, Sheet Bend, two Half-Hitches.
• Understanding notice of race and sailing instructions
• Understanding the different starting procedures for a race.
• Performing an acceptable start.
• Sailing a triangle course
• Understanding racing rules, in particular:

 Windward/Leeward,  Clear Ahead/Clear Astern, Mark Rounding,  Racing Signals.

• Executing man overboard recovery drills.
• Handling a boat under tow.
• Knowledge of emergency actions to be taken in a storm and in situations of common equipment failure.

Contact person:

If you have any questions about the course, please contact Khun Nattawut Vongrak (Oat), Sailing Coach, at e-mail: sailcoach@varuna.org or  Khun Lek at e-mail: lek@varuna.org

Other information

• RVYC has basic rooms available on the club premises. For reservations, you can call or send an e-mail to office@varuna.org  Please do refer to OPTI sailing course.
• At the RVYC is a small chandlery where you can purchase a life jacket, only open during the weekend. At this moment, the chandlery has about 10 life jackets in stock in children’s sizes. It is best to purchase one the weekend before, to make sure you have one when the course starts.

Application Form:

Applications are subject to approval by the RVYC Sailing Committee, which will contact students whose applications are not approved prior to the course commencement.

Please fill out the below Application Form and e-mail, fax or deliver it to the Office of the Royal Varuna Yacht Club with attention to Khun Nattawut Vongrak (Oat) as soon as possible.

Address:     Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC)
                 286 Thanon Pratamnak, South Pattaya,
                  Chonburi 20260, Thailand
                  Tel: 038-250116 ; Fax: 038-250367
                  E-mail : office@varuna.org

 For more information and a map on how to get there, please refer to the RVYC website: www.varuna.org

Wishing you lots of happy sailing,

Nattawut  Vongrak
Sailing  Coach