Events and Exhibitions...
Transform a static exhibition stand into a popular attraction...
The simulator is always a popular attraction at exhibitions, which is great for the exhibition stand as a whole, but for the Indoor Sailing Coach it means that there is always pressure to shorten session times and to let as many people have a go as possible.
Within the space of 30 minutes it is likely that the simulator will see 5 visitors of different age and experience; so we have developed a number of routines that allow anyone or any age and experience to have an enjoyable and hopefully instructive 7 or 8 minute session. Here is a short description of a few of programmes we use most often at exhibitions.
- Race:
Like any new boat, it takes a few minutes to get used to Indoor Sailing; so we 'drive' new sailors around the race course for a few minutes while they get used to the feel of the boat. Whilst we're doing this, we point out the wind angle indicators on the screen and the boat angle and speed gauges etc. A typical short course race would be a trapezoid: from the start you beat to the windward mark, then reach, run, reach and beat to the finish. 2 minutes is fast for a first attempt; 2 mins 30 seconds being more typical. We usually provide a 'follow-boat' to make things easier.
 
 
- Match Racing:
We link two machines together and you can race 'real-time' against each other. Each sailor sees the course from their own perspective with the other competitor in sight.
- Round the world:
The prospect of pushing off from the pontoon for the fist time can be daunting. We very often have first time sailors on board the simulator at exhibitions, and we often use a programme we call 'round the world' to demonstrate what a sailing boat can and cannot do.
We set off on starboard tack, with our sailor following a boat that is sailing directly in front of them. In the first minute we talk about steering and balancing the boat. In the second minute we talk about how close to the wind it is possible to sail and what happens if a boat is sailing too close. In the third minute we do some tacking, if possible getting our newcomer to face forwards and introducing the idea that timing is important. In the fourth minute we talk about sail adjustment as we progressively bear away on port tack from close hauled to a reach and a run. Then we do three gybes, and begin to head up on starboard, finishing the session with a few more tacks, and crossing the finishing line for good measure!
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