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TASS Learning Center

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

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 are tying them correctly - download the Knots Apps available for Apple and Android.

Download these app links to practice on your phone

3D Knots Android 3D KNots Apple Store

SAIL SKILLS SCHEDULE 2025

Schedule Schedule 2025

Practice Sails, Skills Training, Race Tune Up Sail

To sign up for SPECIFIC SKILLS SAILS, browse our calendar, 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 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

Incorporating these elements will definitely help you get started or improve your existing skills. No previous training is required, but if you have had training, this will help you up your game on a sailing vessel.

Sessions offered: Women's Only Crew and Co-Ed Crew.

RACE PRACTICE - Be Prepared

Set days will be designated to conduct two-boat race or participate in 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 related to being in an actual race.

Women's Skills

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.

TASS YOUTUBE Women's Training Sail Video

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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

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