What’s New with the Level 1 Instructor Course Program?
Contact: Jake Fish
Communications Manager, US Sailing
jakefish@ussailing.org
401.683.0800 x614
US Sailing Discusses the Many Updates and Improvements Made to the Program with Kim Hapgood of Sail Newport
The initial Instructor Certification program, which originated in the early 1980’s, has always been the standard for training instructors who are responsible for teaching the next generation of sailors. While the initial material was well received, revisions and updates have been made continuously through the years without a master plan. US Sailing's National Faculty has devoted their efforts to streamline the Level 1 Instructor program. Find out all the details in this one on one with Kim Hapgood of Sail Newport.
US Sailing: What are the significant changes to the Level 1 Instructor Course Program and why were these changes needed?
Kim: There were changes made at several levels. We will introduce the second in a series of student books, Learn Sailing Right Intermediate! This joins a revised edition of Learn Sailing Right Beginner!, which was first published two years ago.
At the instructor level, the materials used in Level 1 Certification Programs have been completely overhauled with a revised edition of Teaching Fundamentals, which was formally called Teaching and Coaching Fundamentals and a new Instructor Guide that replaces the old Instructor Manual.
We also revised the multiple choice tests that are part of the Level 1 certification process.
In general, the changes were part of an ongoing update and development of materials for what is one of US Sailing’s longest running certification programs, and certainly its largest, the Level 1 Instructor program. Fundamentally, the L1 course remains the same in terms of length (40 hours/4 day course), the topics covered, and the testing (both theory and practical).
US Sailing: How will these revisions improve the program?
Kim: The student books will provide sailors with great materials to supplement their learning in the classroom and on the water, and instructors will have better teaching tools too.
The new instructor materials, Teaching Fundamentals and Instructor Guide, will give instructors and programs new tools to enhance the quality of their instruction and teaching. The Instructor Guide is filled with great practical tips on how to conduct land drills, safe and effective water drills, alternative activities for rainy and no wind days, as well as sample lesson plans that tie the student books to the skills being learned.
US Sailing: When will these changes be implemented?
Kim: The Instructor Trainers who teach the certification courses are all currently undergoing re-training to familiarize them with the new materials. There are a small number of policy changes as well as a review of the standards that US Sailing sets for Instructor Candidates (IC’s) who are getting certified.
The majority of Level 1 courses occur between mid-May and the end of July. All of the IT’s teaching courses this year will have completed the re-training, and will be using the new materials for those courses. Any instructor candidate who is taking a course this May, June or beyond will be using the new materials.
The new books, both student level and instructor level, will be available for purchase from US Sailing beginning in May.
For more information on the program, including the new training materials, visit the US Sailing website at http://training.ussailing.org/Learning/LearnSailingRight.htm.
For questions, please contact US Sailing at training@ussailing.org.