TASS Learning Center

Ready to Learn?

Before your class, practice these simple but necessary skills at home.

  • Know your Point of Sail - Call it out when you are on the water - repeat and learn
  • Sailing Knots. Basic Knots are essential to know, practice them with any rope at home.

Not sure if you're tying your knots correctly? Download these apps to practice on your phone:

3D Knots Android                 3D Knots Apple Store

SAIL SKILLS SCHEDULE 2025

Practice Sails,  Skills Training, Race Tune Up Sails 

To sign up for specific skills sailing sessions, browse our CALENDAR or watch for announcements in the weekly BLAST Newsletter and select a sail! Learn more about events and skills by attending one of our weekly meetings.

Questions, email vice-commodore@sailtass.com

*Disclaimer: Courses are not ASA certified.

PRACTICE SAILS

GET INVOLVED

This will be a hands-on Practice Sail:

  • Basics of sail trim for jib and main sail under different points of sail (how to read the tell-tales and make adjustments).
  • Helming under different points of sail
  • Understanding the importance of the position of jib cars
  • Moving the traveler vs. trimming/easing the main sail


SKILLS TRAINING

GET STARTED

Review terms and equipment on the boat:

  • Navigation Aids, channel markers, and buoys - how to recognize them, what they mean, when to use them.
  • Sail shape and trimming for best pointing and sailing.
  • Weather Helm – term and what to do
  • Planning the sailing course
Incorporating these elements will help you get started or improve your existing skills.

Sessions offered:

  • Women's Only Crew
  • Co-Ed Crew.


RACE PRACTICE

BE PREPARED

Set days will be designated to conduct two-boat races or participate in other local races.This will be an opportunity to practice and improve skills.

Racing is not for every sailor. It requires an elevated skill set, knowledge, physical strength, mobility, and stamina.

Under the instruction of a TASS Skipper with race experience, you will participate in all positions on the boat as if you were participating in an actual race.


Women's Skills Sessions

Annually TASS conducts various skills sessions on different topics. Skills enhancements always seem to attract some vibrant women who are excited to embark on their first sailing adventure with hands-on sailing.

Skills sessions include textbook instruction during the first half of the day to allow participants learn or refresh their knowledge about sailing terms and knots. The second half of the day is for on-boat skills instruction! Each participant takes at least one turn at the helm and one rotation at each of the other crew positions on the boat. Participants learn points of sail, sail trim, how to tack, and how to jibe.

View the video below to see the 2022 All Women Basic Crew Skills participants in action on S/V Shiraz, a 36 ft. Hunter, with Skipper Urs and First Mate Thann.

The Experience - In their Words

I sure enjoyed it!  I admit I was feeling nervous and intimidated!  You and Urs are great instructors, certainly gave me confidence and I will definitely go out again! THANK YOU! - Debbie K.

Had such a great time with all of you today. THANK YOU, Urs and Thann, for all the great instruction! - Debbie A.

After sailing and cruising for years, I was so impressed with and appreciative of what I learned in one day recently with TASS. Skipper Urs and First Mate Thann many thanks! - Hope B.

Women's Basic Crew Training I 06-2021

The first ever TASS All Women's Sail Training was a hit!  Nancy and I had four amazing participants, Barb, Jane, Elizabeth, and Patti.  They were eager to learn and, oh how...learning occurred. 

The weather was perfect at 80 degrees and winds were 10-13 kias.  They were able to participate in positions as helmsman, mainsheet trimmer and jib trimmer.  We also discussed sail positions, right-of-way, and man overboard drills plus more.

Was a great experience for all.  Looking forward to the next sail with these fabulous ladies.

- Skipper Emily & Nancy


Comments from our 2021 Women's Basic Sailing Crew:

The women's training was fantastic. The instructors were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I learned a lot of new things and loved the fact that it was all women. I highly recommend it for any women who actually want to be more involved in the sails. Great job Nancy and Emily!



Start Living the Life You Imagined – Go Sailing with TASS


Sailing Safety Training

May 5th - Mark Shield a retired member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and skipper on Cape Area VFD Rescue Boat and long-time TASS member was our instructor for the Sailing Safety Training.

He covered topics ranging from  US Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary - Mission and Responsibilities to the Man Over Board Process.

We had over 20 people attend this training with positive feedback on the value of the training to us as sailors. 

If you missed the training, we are making his materials and links to the important videos available in the TASS Document Library for reference.  

If you have not taken advantage of TASS training, be sure to watch our calendar schedule. Typically training are FREE for members and a small fee to guest.

Training Documents are visible to Members Only and you must log into your membership account to access the documents.

NOTE: Slide presentation training document must be downloaded to fun and display videos.

Training Documents

 info@sailtass.com

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Texas Association of Social Sailors (aka SAIL TASS) is a 501(c)7 non-profit organization. 

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