Learning - Singlehanded or with Dad?

   I'm getting ahead of myself a bit (eldest son will be 4 next month, youngest is just 2), but I was wondering whether it was better to teach kids in singlehanders (Oppies) or in something like a Mirror.  
Thoughts/experiences anyone?

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Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Topic: Learning - Singlehanded or with Dad? Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 3:40pm
	I'm getting ahead of myself a bit (eldest son will be 4 next month, youngest is just 2), but I was wondering whether it was better to teach kids in singlehanders (Oppies) or in something like a Mirror. Thoughts/experiences anyone?

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 3:54pm
	I think it depends on the kids. Were I in that situation though I think I'd go for the two hander option on the grounds that even the slightest chance of ending up as an Oppie parent would have to be avoided at all costs...

Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 3:55pm
	Optimists every time. My boy started at 6? ( can't quite remember ) in Oppies. He is now in a Mirror with me at the sharp end at the age of just 13. Building a new skill set and tactics, 3 sails etc... I did the learn with Dad / Mirror route and I hated it as a kid. The other way round sounds counterintuative but it is working much better for us anyway.Don't worry about the Oppie parent thing you don't have to enter into it. Luke ( my son ) won Silver fleet Opens in 2060 built in 1980. Edited by Jack Sparrow
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desteve1 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 Feb 09 Location: cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 81	Post Options Post Reply Quote desteve1 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 4:14pm
	mirror is better. At that age I wouldnt want to be sailing on my own. I sailed optimists before and I hated it most of the time and if my friends werent sailing I would have given up 2 years ago
	laser 81188 (looking for a name)

Roger Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 23 Mar 04 Location: Somerset Online Status: Offline Posts: 524	Post Options Post Reply Quote Roger Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 4:35pm
	My view is that kids should always learn with other kids.... 1. They will get much more from sailing that way. 2. Its far "cooler" to be doing sport with your peers than with your parents. 3. You won't fall out with them because they didn't release the sheet quick enough. 4. They will meet and make long term friendships with others of their same age, like most I guess, I have sailing friends around the country/world that have lasted decades. 5. There are far more opportunities in sailing for youngsters sailing together or in junior singlehanders than there are for youngsters sailing with adults. Edited by Roger

MerlinMags Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Admin Group Joined: 19 Mar 04 Location: UK, Guildford Online Status: Offline Posts: 589	Post Options Post Reply Quote MerlinMags Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 5:10pm
	If you think you might shout at them, even once, then do not sail with them, you'll put them off!

Contender443 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 01 Oct 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1211	Post Options Post Reply Quote Contender443 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 5:21pm
	At this stage it is best to get yourself a singlehander that you could take them out in on a nice day. I have had both my daughters out in the Contender when they were about that age. Admittedly on most days I did it there was no chance of me trapezing. Then when they are about 6 look for somewhere to teach them as a group. You just need to find the best club with a strong junior section and lots of club boats. Probably not an open sea club either. My eldest now sails a Topper and both sail with me in our RS200 again depending on the conditions. My six year old and I won a club trophy in the RS200 - the series was a light wind affair in general.

kevg Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 13 Dec 05 Location: Wrexham Online Status: Offline Posts: 120	Post Options Post Reply Quote kevg Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 5:53pm
	I'm now crew for my 11 year old in a Laser 2000 when he isn't racing his Topper. After sarting in a wayfarer aged 5 then a 2000. Later his own Taz aged 7 and Topper aged 9. If your kids sail with you make it fun and short! Build up confidence and hope they ask to go on a proper learn to sail at some piont. It helps to do a course with several kids of similar age. I hope your club has a good junior section to keep youngsters engaged. Get an Oppie or Topper as suits. Note a Topper 4.2 is a good option for lighter sailors.

desteve1 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 23 Feb 09 Location: cambridge Online Status: Offline Posts: 81	Post Options Post Reply Quote desteve1 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 6:23pm
	there could always be a slightly older child looking for a crew in the mirror?
	laser 81188 (looking for a name)

Guests Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Quote Reply Posted: 22 Jan 10 at 8:23pm
	Thanks for the tips everoe. Chew has an excellent youth set up for when they are a bit older. I hadn't thought of them actually doing a course - I had always assumed I would teach them - but I think that is a good idea to learn with a bunch of other children.