Beginner's Guide to Sailing — Oran Teach Skipper School

Before we get on the boat together, I want you to have the basics down. Not so you memorise everything — but so your first day feels familiar, not overwhelming. Work through these at your own pace. Each one takes about 10 minutes.

6 Lessons

1

Safety Brief

Fire, man overboard, collision, and serious injury — what to do and how to think.
2

Boat Parts & Sail Anatomy

The names of the things you'll be touching every day on the boat.
3

Understanding Wind

True wind, boat wind, apparent wind — and why apparent wind is the one that matters.
4

Points of Sail

The angles a sailboat can travel relative to the wind, from close-hauled to running.
5

Sail Trim

How to read and adjust the mainsail and headsail so the boat moves efficiently.
6

Tacking & Gybing

Why we zigzag upwind, why we turn downwind, and how each manoeuvre works.

Start Lesson 1 →