Topic:  Sailing Position and Tacking (Turning)

Student Objective:  Get into and maintain the sailing position

Teacher Objective:  To use pinpointing and demonstrations throughout the lesson

Lesson Description:  Have the students rotate their upper body and the rig so that their front shoulder will turn toward the nose or front of the board, this will cause the sail to catch the wind.  Now you should feel some pull on the sail and depending on how strong the wind is it could be a big pull so be ready.  The body position for the sailing position is to have arms comfortably extended, back straight, head up, and front leg straight.  Now have the students bring the back of the sail in slightly and it will cause the board to move forward.  For more speed pull the sail in more with the back hand.  If you feel as though it is going to pull you on your face just let go of the sail and start over from the uphauling stage.
Tacking or turning simply requires letting the back of the sail out which will cause the board to turn.  When the board is at the crest of the wind or where you can't get much more pull from the sail you need to step around the front of the mast to the other side of the board.  It should only take about three steps to get your feet in place on the other side of the board.  To get your hands in place just walk them around the front of the booms to the same position on the other side.  Now you are in place to travel in another direction.  Tacking creates a zig-zag patter while going into the wind.

Tasks:
1.  Move from the set position to the sailing position while on the beach and perform some tacking
2.  Move from the set position to the sailing position while in waist deep water with the center board down and perform some tacking
3.  Move from the set position to the sailing position while in waist deep water with the center board up and perform some tacking
4.  Move from the set position to the sailing position while in deep water with the center board down and perform some tacking
5.  Move from the set position to the sailing position while in deep water with the center board up and perform some tacking

Cues:
Arms comfortably extended
Front leg straight
Be ready for strong pull from wind

Challenges:
Perform task one two times successfully with good balance, perform 2 tacks or turns
Perform task two three times successfully with proper form, perform 2 tacks or turns
Perform task three two times successfully then sail and balance for 5 minutes, and perform 2 tacks or turns
Perform task four two times successfully then sail and balance for 4 minutes and perform 2 tacks or turns
Perform task five two times successfully then sail and balance for 3 minutes, and perform 2 tacks or turns