Dinghy games

[pkidson]

Here's a game I used for single handed dinghies - Optimists in this case. Each boat has a balloon attached to the back on about 2m of string (a loop in the end of the string dropped over the tiller is the quickest way to attach them). An area sized appropriately for the number of boats is designated by four buoys - a rough square - and every one has to keep within this space. At the signal the participants have to try and pop everyone else's balloon. Last one left with an inflated balloon is the winner! Rules are - you cannot leave the designated area and may not shorten your string by retrieving it. The length of string helps reduce the risk of collisions.

[deniseBASC]

I have been teaching children in dinghies for 16 years and am always on the look out for games to play. One that is successful with children at least is 'chicken'. You perhaps could adapt it for older students. Basically it is a version of 'stuck in the mud'. You designate an area - 4 buoys- and all your victims sail around. You have a paddle and have to hit their sail on the leeward side. If you are successful they have to heave to and sing 'I'm a pretty little chicken' - your variant here! They have to stay in this position until someone else comes and releases them by touching their boat. It is great once they know the basics since it involves lots of tacking and gybing. They soon learn to gybe onto the opposite tack to avoid you. I do this from a Kayak but you could use another dinghy or teaching boat. Hope this helps and if anyone else knows of something else please let me know. Where are all the websites for this neglected area?

[cthomas]

how much fun would a pirate paintball game be?

[pkidson]

Yachting New Zealand have published a book of sailing games. It includes on and off water activities. I bought a copy and am looking forward to summer and the next Learn to Sail rogram to try them out. Go to the Yachting New Zealand Website and search for 'books' or 'YNS Store' - at NZ$17, this is a real bargain!

[tregeagle]

I'm trying to think of a new game too.

The most popular game with our kids is a bin full of footballs, tennis balls etc - all marked with numbers, higher points for smaller ones. Then the rescuse boat whizzes around chucking them out for everyone to recover.

The boat with the most points wins.

[GSCHAMBERS]

There are a range of games on the RYA website.

On thier HOME screen select "COURSES AND TRAINING" and then under "TEACHING" select "RESOURCES". You will then need to follow the link through "INSTRUCTOR RESOURCES" and then "DINGHY, MULTI HULL AND KEELBOAT INSTRUCTOR". You should then find the a file of games in PDF format.

Any problems let me know.