The mission of our instructional programs, consistent with our Club's Charter Mission, is to Promote Sailing on Lake Murray. To promote the sport we love, we, and those we instruct, must actively participate in the cruising, racing, and day sailing activites availble to us as LMSC members. Accordingly, Coaching the Basics is structured to instruct, coach, and mentor members who wish to participate in those activities.

Our volunteer coaches are happy to share their valuable personal time with the beginner who wants to learn to sail in order to be active in our sailing events and help us grow our sport to the enjoyment of everyone. While we recognize and appreciate the desire of some who prefer to sail alone, or only with family and select friends, the scope and focus of our training mission is directed toward helping beginning sailors who want to enjoy the social component inherent in sailing with others.

If, after reviewing our mission and our instructional philosphy, you would like to join our community of active sailors, we will be pleased to help. Begin your learning path by signing up for Coaching the Basics. It is a great start to learning the skills necessary to become a confident independent sailor prepared to continue learning as a participant in our regular sailing events and activities.



To register for up to 16 hours of primarily on-the-water coaching and arrange an introduction to one of our volunteer coaches, email instructional coordinator, Ryan Gaskin.

You and your coach form a learning team and will communicate with each other to arrange dates for instruction that work for your individual schedules. Sailors in training should prepare to be as flexible as possible.

Please note: All of our volunteer coaches are frequently committed to their own weekend activites. We offer sessions on weekend dates, but availibility can sometimes be a challenge. Weekdays offer more opportunities. Be prepared for "workaround" sessions if you are limited to weekend dates. These may involve scheduling mini-sessions on event days or taking advantage of longer summer days to sail after a workday.

1. *Wear soft soled shoes. Boat or “grippy” water shoes are better for wet surface traction, but ordinary sneakers or athletic shoes will be OK.  Do not wear open toed sandals or thongs.

2. Bring sunscreen or sunblock. If you normally wear sun protective clothing outdoors, be sure to wear it for these sessions.

3. Wear sun shades. Your eyes need the protection.

4. Layered clothing is best for unexpected weather. A waterproof bag for the extra layers and a light rain jacket (for spray in frisky conditions) are recommended.

5. Bring plenty of water (or your favorite electrolyte beverage). Two 20 oz. bottles should be considered a minimum. Dehydration on the water is much more common that most folks realize.

6. **Bring a properly sized US Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device with you.

7. Wear a cap or a hat with 360 degree brim. UV protective clothing is a good option. Use sunscreen even if the day is cloudy. Indirect UV can be potentially as harmful as UV from full sun.

8. Sailing gloves are recommended. Lines used to trim sails can exert a strong pulling force in higher breezes. Handling lines with bare hands in breezy conditions can become uncomfortable. Sailing gloves can be purchased locally from West Marine or online.

* Risk of injury from wearing open toed or hard sole shoes prohibits us carrying students wearing these items.

**Safety requirements - Our adherence to SC and US boating safety laws prohibit us carrying students not bringing USCG approved Personal Flotation Devices.  If you do not have an approved device and cannot borrow a suitable one from a friend, West Marine or your local sports outfitter offer basic models at nominal cost.