This sailing course is suitable for anyone who wants to learn to sail, whether you have plans to buy your own sailboat or want to become a competent crew. This means if you have never sailed before or if you have some previous experience, but who want to become a better crew, this course will be suitable to you. This sailing course fits even if you just love the sea and the outdoor life, and want to find out if sailing can become something you like.

During this sailing course we want to give participants a basic understanding and skill in sailing and practical boat handling. The course is designed for as much time as possible at sea with practical exercises under guidance. The course will also give an introduction to cruising and how to live on board a sailboat.

• Sailing knots and rope handling
• Handling of boat for sail and engine
• Learning concepts
• Understanding of roles, responsibilities and tasks on board
• Sailing at different wind angles
• Simple sail trim
• Theory of tearing sails (reduction of sail area)
• Safety and use of safety equipment
• Exercise in “man overboard” situation
• The most important rules at sea
• Navigation with the chart
• Introduction to the use of VHF (boat radio)
• Maneuvering in port and mooring

Day 1 – Friday – Welcome aboard!

Finnsnes – Klauva

We will meet in Gisundet boat harbor at Finnsnes at 10.00 am. Look for the sailboat with the Sail Senja flag.

We will spend time until lunch getting to know the sailboat and the equipment. We will also talk about safety, and we will learn a little about sailing theory and some rules of the road at sea. After lunch at about 13 pm we are ready to set sail.

Once we have reached the sea, we will have an exercise in the “man overboard” situation. Just relax, no one has to take a swim here!

The rest of the time this day we will practice sailing at different wind angles (cross, veil and boom) and adjust the angle of the sails correctly in relation to the wind (trim joints). We will also practice swinging the boat so that the wind comes in from the opposite side (blow and jib).

Each participant will receive individual feedback and guidance along the way, and we will switch seats so that everyone can practice the same tasks on board.

Later in the afternoon, at about 17 pm, we will sail to Klauva in Senja. Klauva is an old trading post that in the 19th century was at the height of its power. In these historical surroundings we will anchor up for the evening. We will cook dinner and enjoy it together in the sailboat. In the evening, if you want to explore the place further on your own, you can take a short rowing trip with our inflatable boat.

Day 2 – Saturday – Expedition Day!

Klauva – Tranøya

We will start the day together having breakfast at 9 am. Then we will study the theory of the day which will be about more advanced ways of adjusting the sails (sail trimming), and how we can reduce the size of the sails for controlled sailing in high winds (reef). Now we are ready to pull up the anchor and hoist the sails for today’s practical exercises at sea.

Later that day we head south towards Tranøya, where we will find a great anchorage for the evening and night. We will eat lunch along the way. Tranøya is a lush island and an old church town situated south-east of Senja. The place has an interesting history of human settlements more than 2000 years back in time. There are, among other things, a lot of burial mounds, boathouses and old foundations on the island.

After preparing and having dinner, for those who are interested, there will be some time for exploring the island.

Day 3 – Sunday – The final stage!

Tranøya – Finnsnes

We will start the day together having breakfast at 9 am. After breakfast, we will look at the theory of maneuvering in port, mooring and we learn about handling sails and ropes. Then we pull up the anchor and start the sailing trip back to Finnsnes.

After some exercises at sea, we will head back to Finnsnes quay for the final exercise of the course, which is to dock the boat and moor. We will give everyone the opportunity to practice at least twice.

We will clean out of the boat and finish the sailing course at about 17 pm. By this time, someone has maybe already started planning their next sailing adventure?

Including

• Preparatory e-learning course
• Safety equipment
• 15 hours of teaching
• Course certificate after completed sailing course
• Personal injury insurance for incidents in the sailboat when at sea
• Meals on board
• Drinks (non-alcoholic), fruit and snacks
• Accommodation in the sailboat (2 nights)
• Equipment for cruising such as fishing rod, inflatable boat, hammocks, exciting books about the sea, nature and sailing
• Gas for cooking, diesel etc.
• Advice and tips on how to get started with cruising on your own, tips on nice places to visit by sailboat along the Norwegian coast, what type of sailboat and equipment to choose etc.

Not included

• Clothes and personal equipment (see our packing list)
• Alcoholic beverages (can be brought by the individual)
• Transport to and from Finnsnes
• Personal insurance on land (we will recommend all participants to make sure they have this insurance on their own)

• 3-days sailing course with accommodation and meals included (Friday – Sunday)
• Course dates: See course calendar
• Meeting place: Gisundet boat harbor, Finnsnes in Troms
• Number of participants: 4
• Price per participant: 5,990 NOK
• Language of instruction: Norwegian
• Age limit: 18 years