SAIL TASS - Learning Center

Do you know your Point of Sail?

3D Knots Android 3D KNots Apple Store

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 then with any rope at home. Not sure if you are tying them correctly - download the Knots Apps available for Apple and Android.

BASIC SAIL SKILLS SCHEDULE 2023

Announcing the TASS Intermediate Level 2 Mentoring SailSchedule 2023

Skills Enhancement Participation

September 30 – Saturday –Intermediate Level 2 Mentoring Sail – Co-Ed

Boat: Blue Horizon

Skipper[s] - Andrew Clark & TBD

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October 1 – Sunday – WOMANS - Intermediate Level 2 Mentoring Sail

Sail Limited to 4 crew & 2 Skipper Mentors

Boat: Blue Horizon

Skipper[s] - Andrew Clark & TBD

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October 28 – Saturday – Intermediate Level 2 Mentoring Sail – Co-Ed

Boat: Blue Horizon

Skipper[s] - TBD

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October 29 – Sunday – Intermediate Level 2 Mentoring Sail – Co-Ed

Boat: Blue Horizon

Skipper[s] - TBD

Intermediate Level 2 Mentoring Sail– TASS will provide interactive, hands-on sailing for the person(s) looking to up their skills. You should at the boat on time with sufficient recommended equipment found in the TASS FAQs for sailing. As the interactive participant, you will work with the skippers to improve your knowledge by leading maneuvers and executing verbal commands at all positions on the vessel. Here are a few of the many skills you will experience.

Review terms and equipment on the boat
Navigation Aids, channel markets, 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

Level 2 Sailing Mentoring is designed for sailors with a reasonable amount of previous sailing experience who wish to bring their skills up to a recognized intermediate standard.

Sailing is a physical activity that people of all ages can participate in and appreciate, but being physically fit will increase sailing performance and safety.

Mentoring sails are limited to 4-5 crew with 2 skippers mentors depending on the boat size available. Early registration is highly encouraged.

To sign up for a sail, browse our calendar 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.

Women's Skills 2022

Annually TASS conducts various skills sessions on different topics. Leading off 2022 is the ALL-Woman Basic Crew Skills. Skills enhancements always seem to attract some vibrant women who are excited to embark on their first sailing adventure with all hands-on sailing.

On May 1^st TASS was lucky to have 5 amazing and brave women on board for the skills. The day began with essential textbook learning, knots, terms, and a few warm and fuzzy encouragement from the instructor, Commodore Urs, and first mate Thann.

The second half of the day, the women boarded S/V Shiraz, a 36 ft. Hunter for the on-water skills. The crew consisted of 2 current members and 3 new members. So, excellent participants always find TASS. The women were amazing, attentive, and focused on learning. We had some very nice wind, 10-15kn giving Shiraz a zip and peppy sail and treating the women to what it is like to handle the wind. ALL 5 women took at least 2 turns at the helm and rotated into the different positions on the boat. They tacked and jibed, jibed, and surprised themselves to find out that the BOAT WILL NOT TIP OVER Lol.

TASS was so happy to share our love of the sport with these women and we hope sailing becomes a sport they enjoy and love.

If you would like to see what the women did in skills enhancements, take a look at their video.

https://youtu.be/4RVq77PxKrE

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 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

TASS - Texas Association of Social Sailors - PO Box 27050 - Houston, TX 77227-7050

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