Providing professional development for Instructors and Discover Sailing Centre administrators, the 2023 Training in Focus ‘LIVE’ events were held in every state and territory between June and September this year. These events brought together accredited Australian Sailing Instructors, Assistant Instructors, and Discover Sailing Centre Principals from across the nation to share knowledge, best practices, and updates on all aspects of program delivery. 

Of the 287 attendees at the events during 2023, there were 29% who identified as female, 69% who identified as male, and 2% who identified as gender diverse. Pleasingly the overall total participant numbers were up on the numbers in 2022 by 12%, however, as can be seen by the breakdown of total participants, there is still lots of work to be done by our sport to increase the representation of people who identify as female or gender diverse within the instructor ‘’workforce’’. 

One of the highlights of the events this year was the engaging keynote session titled "Maximising Learning Through Student Engagement," delivered in QLD, VIC, TAS, and SA by Senior Instructor, educator and sailor, Greg Rowlings, and by Chris Goldacre, Australian Sailing’s Chief Instructor for the Dinghy and Windsurf Programs in the NT, WA, and NSW/ACT. With their wealth of experience in educational theory, and its real-world application, the session provided invaluable insights into how instructors can effectively engage students to help optimise the learning process, and left attendees with practical strategies to implement in their teaching approaches. 

The Training in Focus ‘LIVE’ events featured practical sessions dedicated to best practice techniques for delivering across all programs, including Powerboat, Dinghy, Keelboat, Windsurf and Wing. These sessions were facilitated by Australian Sailing Chief Instructors and Senior Instructors, who shared their expertise, and demonstrated the most effective methods for teaching sailing, powerboating, and boarding skills. These insights are crucial for instructors aiming to provide the highest quality experiences to create positive learning environments at clubs and centres. 

The events also provide a platform for participants to network and connect with their peers. This networking opportunity allows instructors and principals to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and build a supportive community that can help advance the sport of sailing across the country. 

In addition to the practical sessions, Australian Sailing provided attendees with key updates, which included important developments in safety, administrative procedures, and an overview of the recently launched Coach Instructor Officials development strategy. 

The final session of the day at each event allowed attendees to try a new on-water discipline and saw windsurf instructors trying keelboat sailing for the first time, or powerboat instructors trying SUPs, or everyone trying windsurfing. The sessions proved to be a great fun way to round off the day, whilst also allowing Instructors the opportunity to remember what it is like to be a beginner again, and to put themselves in the shoes of the people they teach. 

Overall, the 2023 Training in Focus ‘LIVE’ events served as a vital forum for enhancing skills, exchanging knowledge, and strengthening commitment to the provision of high-quality experiences. By focusing on student engagement, best practices, and staying informed about industry updates, these events are contributing to enhanced professional development opportunities for accredited instructors in Australia, allowing them to be better equipped to inspire and train the next generation of club members and sailors, helping to get more people on the water, in more ways, more often. 

Stay tuned for details on next year’s Training in Focus ‘LIVE’ events which will again be delivered across the country between June and September.