Welcome to the first in a series of news and updates on the Sailing Academy (SA). We intend to keep you informed about the SA program and activities with this column. So watch this space!
Since the Sailing Academy opened its doors in December, we have seen a great deal of interest from members of the SL sailing community. The SA campus already receives hundreds of visitors each week, with more coming to visit and learn every day.
As interest in the Sailing Academy has grown, so has the number of inquiries about both current and upcoming activities at the SA. In the following, we are going to describe the current program and facilities, and we are going to try to address a few of your questions as well.
So, what is the Sailing Academy and how does it work?
Easy: The Sailing Academy is a training facility dedicated to the sport of sailing.
We provide a wide range of resources and information for sailors at all skill levels at our centrally located campus in Santa Barbara. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced sailor, we welcome you to visit the Academy in your own time and use the available resources for self-paced study.
Our current efforts focus on learning and understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) published by the International Sailing Federation or ISAF. We cover the Rules of RRS Part 2 in-depth with detailed explanations of each Rule, example situations and case studies. We also explain the Rules that govern the organization and conduct of fleet and match races, windsurfing and other matters such as the proceedings at protests and hearings.
We offer materials for beginners such as understanding the theory and basic principles of sailing, learning how to sail a boat, how to use the start lines and wind, waves and current setter; for more experienced sailors, we provide extensive resources on racing strategy and tactics.
Another question that pops up frequently is:
How to get around the Sailing Academy, and how to use the facilities?
We’re glad you did. Getting around the SA campus is easy! Take a look at the map below. When you visit the Sailing Academy for the first time, you’ll arrive at the campus telehub which is situated on a small, square platform between the two larger spheres. (If you know what you are looking for, you can teleport directly to the spheres of course.)
To make it easier to find your way around, we have placed a map, a teleporter and a short introductory booklet at the telehub. The teleporter has direct links to the four spheres in the form of little red dots on the map – just hover over them until you see the little ‘sit here’ icon; click on it and you’ll promptly arrive at your destination. There are similar teleporters in each location, allowing you to move around the campus in no time.
- The central platform named AGORA is a general-purpose auditorium and classroom, designed to host regular training sessions hosted by Sailing Academy Instructors.
- The four spheres surrounding it are multi-purpose facilities, containing teaching materials, presentations and class rooms on several floors.
The AGORA and class rooms are also available to volunteers interested in hosting racing rules sessions or discussing racing strategies and tactics. Please contact us in-world if you are interested, and we’ll set you up.
At present, the spheres hold most of our training materials in the form of streaming media presentations. We have set up more than 30 parcel-based media viewers around the campus, each with its own set of materials. Before you get started, please make sure that you have enabled both “Play streaming video when available” and “Automatically play media when available” in the “Audio & Video” Preferences of the SL viewer, as seen in the following graphic:
To see a particular presentation, you must stand or sit inside the same parcel as the viewer that contains it. We have added some floor markings to show you the (more or less exact) location and dimensions of the parcel that each viewer is located on. You can also check the parcel name at the top of your screen to make sure that you are where you want to be. Once you are on the right parcel you are interested in, the streaming media presentation should start automatically; use the arrow keys on either side of the viewer to move back and forward through the presentation. A tip: even though your avatar must be on the same parcel as the viewer, your camera doesn’t have to be – go ahead and zoom or pan around until you have the best view of the screen.
Current program
As of January 2010, over 300 slides covering a wide variety of topics are available for self-paced training. Here’s a breakdown of the location of the presentations by sphere:
- ZEPHUROS
- Ground Floor
- Introduction to the Racing Rules of Sailing – Level 1
- The Fundamental Rules (Part 1) and the Basic Right-of-Way Rules (Part 2 Section A)
- Introduction to the Racing Rules of Sailing – Level 2
- Part 2 Section B: General Limitations
- Introduction to the Racing Rules of Sailing – Level 3
- Part 2 Section C: Rules at Marks and Obstructions
- The Starting Sequence (Rule 26)
- ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012
- Introduction to the Racing Rules of Sailing – Level 1
- 1st Floor
- Introduction to the Racing Rules of Sailing – Level 4
- Other Racing Rules (Part 2 Section D, Part 3, Part 4) (in preparation)
- Introduction to the Racing Rules of Sailing – Level 5
- Protests, Hearings, Redress
- Introduction to the Racing Rules of Sailing – Level 4
- Ground Floor
- NOTOS
- Ground Floor
- Case Studies: At the Start
- Rules at the Start
- Case Studies: At the Windward Mark
- Changing Course at the Mark
- Case Studies: At the Windward Mark
- Tacking Inside the Zone
- Case Studies: At Obstructions
- Hailing for Room to Tack
- ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012
- Case Studies: At the Start
- 1st Floor
- Case Studies: At the Leeward Mark
- Overlapped in the Zone
- Case Studies: At the Leeward Mark
- Gybing at Marks and Gates
- Case Studies: Upwind Sailing
- Ducking, Slam Dunks and the Lee Bow
- Racing Tactics: Room and Speed
- Case Studies: At the Leeward Mark
- Ground Floor
- BOREAS
- Ground Floor
- Getting Started with the Flying Fizz 3
- Ground Floor
- APELIOTES
- Ground Floor
- Using the SLSA Start Line
- Using the WWC Setter (in preparation)
- Ground Floor
We are thinking about ways to serve the non-english speaking members of the sailing community better as well. Over time, we will seek to provide translations of each of the presentations into other languages spoken by members of the community. Please get in touch if you would like to get involved.
We are looking forward to collaborate with each of you on ideas and initiatives regarding sailing knowledge. We will continue to expand the facilities over the coming weeks and months, adding more presentations and training materials as well as new programs and activities. We hope you are as excited as we are!
Bea Woodget & Yuu Nakamichi
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! Bea, I had no idea you have added so many classes. This truly is a central place for learning sailing in SL. I have tended to stay away from the Academy a bit because of those rumors your detractors have been spreading that the Academy is really a MTW and SYC thing. Of course that’s not true. It’s sad that there are a few people in SL sailing that resort to so much behind the scenes misinformation.
There was little doubt before where I would be directing folks who are looking for sailing help. There is absolutely no doubt now where I will direct them. Great Job!
Congratulations from me, too.
Wonderful idea, done so professional. Best wishes – in the hope that this is used and liked as it has to be.
Thumbs up and lots of kudos, Bea
Wooot!
Great job Bea and Yuu