Single Gender Sailing Classes

[SailSolomons]

Thanks for the inputs Guys. I don't think we have any lady inputs yet, I would like to hear some. We've found so far that the fair sex do better at the theory and written exams probably because they listen and ask questions. Also women are more supportive in a team environment, whereas guys are more competitive. Keep the inputs coming, we're trying as hard as we can to get more peple into sailing and the better the training they receive the better for all of us.

[sailingdog]

Sailsolomons

I would highly recommend you read the thread on full disclosure, since it would appear that you are affiliated with a sailing related business. It is located here.

Basically, it does require that you disclose the nature of your relationship in your signature at a minimum, or risk getting banned.

[Melrna]

I will have to echo on what most people here have said. Different genders learn for the most part differently. But that is also a generalization. Each man learns differently too. As a flying instructor in the military, and talking women out sailing, I always try to gear my teaching to the students leaning style. Some are quick learners while others are a bit slower in understanding/executing the concepts being taught. I have taken classes in both mix and single gender. What I found is, how comfortable women are around men and vice verse in a learning environment. "A" type personalities I find can handle mix company well. They are also very motivated people but can at times be hard to control when being taught in a group setting.
As far as women taking sailing lessons, I believe most of us will do better in a single gender class than mix. We are less timid around each other, our verbal/non-verbal expressions are better understood, and I believe, learn better in a group environment than men are. Women have our own demons about sailing that most men don't understand. It is those demons that have to be identify first, than dealt with before the boat leaves the dock.
I have to echo to NEVER take lesson with the other half together.
Melissa

[camaraderie]

Good post Mel...rings true with both what I've observed on the water AND in adult classrooms! Gender isn't the ONLY learning style difference that needs to be dealt with but it can often be a critical one.

[Mary51]

I don't think there's an advantage to single gender classes. There are different ways that people learn, but I don't that's a gender-defined difference.

Basically, if it's a women-only class I'm expecting a watered down version, how-to-be-a-good-helper class. UNLESS, it's taught by a woman.

The classes I've taken have been men and women, and I think there's something to be gained for everyone in that situation.

Mary

[Plumper]

I assumed that single gender classes would be single gender including the instructor. Ooops.

[lharmon]

After many seasons "boating" my wife realizes she is getting to be a very good sailor. So I have finally convinced her to go to school. Mind you she can navigate pretty good at night and has a great touch on the helm in a gale.

For her the school will be more of an experience and a confirmation. Plus she expects to have a lot of gaps in her knowledge filled in. We looked at lots of programs over the past 4-5 years. The only ones she would consider are single gender with women instructors.

I believe the school she really likes is Womanship which offers 5 and 7 day live aboard costal cruising courses. This is all that stands between her needing me aboard and having the confidence to take out our 30 sloop with herself as skipper.

[WinterRiver]

I'll add my agreement with what others have said. Women-only classes can be a fun way to learn, but don't think that you have to teach differently to women.

I've had too many experiences with watered down, touchy-feely, don't-be-scared-little-girl kinds of classes that were changed to be geared towards women. Yuck. Men and women both can fall into this teaching trap.

On the other hand, I've been in wonderful learning situations in women-only classes where the instructor had the attitude that she loved what she was teaching, and so would we.

As others have said, good instructors recognize and address the learning styles and challenges of the students, regardless of their gender. While there are some general trends, either gender can be aggressive or cautious, overbearing or timid....

I say go ahead and offer women-only classes and see if there's interest. Market it simply as being fun to learn with a group of other women. If you want to also offer a class geared toward those of both genders who are nervous about sailing or who need to learn enough to take over in case of emergency, do that too. Just please don't assume that all women are nervous, cautious, timid, etc.


-- An aside: I once took a 2 day women only ski class where the time on the hill was fun and challenging. The first day, after 3 cold action filled hours they served us a small half sandwhich with a tiny side salad. I guess women aren't supposed to get hungry The next day I wasn't the only one with snacks in her pocket just in case.

[sailingdog]

I think it is more important to seperate a couple, so that each learns as much as possible... than it is to have gender specific classes.

You never know when you may be the one who falls overboard or gets hit in the head by the boom and then both of you will be dependent on your spouse having all the necessary skills... Mind you, this is not directed at the women per se... but at all couples...and both members of the couple. I know many couples where the better sailor is the wife.