News
5 Tips to Improve Your Instructing
Published Tue 24 Mar 2026
“Good instructing is about more than knowing what to teach — it’s about managing the environment you’re teaching in.”
Tip 1: Prepare Yourself and Your Environment
Strong sessions start with clear planning and a well-prepared environment.
Preparing your physical environment is the foundation of a successful session.
Start by asking yourself what the intention behind the session is. Why are you running it, and what do you want your students to learn?
From there, identify the three key points you want your students to take away.
Keep your session aligned with the Australian Sailing curriculum, as this helps maintain consistency and retention across the Learn to Sail pathway.
Once you are clear on why you are running the session and what you want to teach, you can plan effectively.
Make clear plans for yourself and your team and have backup options ready in case things don’t go to plan.
Keep records of your sessions so you know what has been taught and what hasn’t. This is particularly helpful when multiple instructors are delivering the same course.
Finally, stay on top of equipment maintenance. This supports both session planning and safety.
Tip 2: Be Open
A welcoming and approachable instructor helps people connect with sailing.
The Learn to Sail program is about helping people engage with our sport and enjoy the experience.
Because of this, instructing environments often place greater emphasis on building confidence and creating positive early experiences, while coaching environments may focus more heavily on performance development.
For example, I highly recommend incorporating games into Adult Learn to Sail sessions, just as you would in Tackers programs.
Sharing your experiences and being open, personable, and approachable is a great first step towards creating a positive learning environment.
For some participants, you may be the first “sailing expert” they have encountered. Encourage questions and show genuine interest in their learning.
This openness is important not only with your students but also within your instructor team and your broader club community. Many Learn to Sail participants come from the general public, so being visible and approachable at club events can help build connections.
Mentorship is another great way to foster openness and a positive culture.
Be open to being both a mentor and a mentee — there is always something to learn from those around you.
Encourage younger sailors at your club to become Assistant Instructors and eventually Full Instructors. Sharing your experience helps support the long-term strength of your club’s Learn to Sail programs too.
Tip 3: Prioritise Culture
A positive instructor team culture leads to better learning environments.
A supportive culture within your instructor team is essential.
Communicate clearly and actively participate in session briefs and debriefs.
Maintain clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures so that any issues within the team can be addressed quickly. This helps maintain team harmony and morale.
Most importantly, take ownership of your role within the team.
Tip 4: Invest in Your Development
Continuing to learn helps you stay effective and confident as an instructor.
Seek out opportunities to continue learning. Attend webinars, training sessions, and development opportunities run by Australian Sailing and your club.
Australian Sailing offers a wide range of instructor resources and eLearning courses that can support your development.
Stay informed about developments and opportunities in your local sailing community and across the sector. As an instructor, it’s important to understand both your course content and the wider sailing pathways available to participants.
Attending club or committee meetings can also help you stay connected within your sailing community.
Tip 5: Reflect
Regular reflection helps you keep improving your instructing practice.
Set achievable goals to keep progressing as an instructor. This helps prevent stagnation and keeps your teaching fresh.
Stay on top of your own learning and keep track of your qualifications.
Actively seek feedback. Regular debriefs with yourself and your team are a simple and effective way to reflect and improve.
Good instructing is about more than simply knowing what you’re teaching. It’s about actively managing the many factors that influence the success of a Learn to Sail session.
Some of these factors take time to develop and maintain. However, taking a systematic approach, such as the strategies outlined above, can help instructors create stronger learning environments and more effective sessions over time.
Instructor Takeaways
- Be clear about the three key learning points for every session.
- Create a welcoming and open learning environment.
- Support a positive instructor team culture.
- Continue investing in your own development.
- Build regular reflection into your instructing practice.
By Dinghy Instructor Emily Vivian
Ref: McLean, S., Robertson, S., & Salmon, P. M. (2024). Complexity and systems thinking in sport. Journal of Sports Sciences, 43(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2024.2388428
