[Kristen]

Phaedra – Great question!

In my experience, learning anything—whether it’s playing piano, making sourdough, or sailing a boat —requires a mix of structured and unstructured learning. Sailing, of course, is no exception.

Back when I was running a sailing school, I used to warn students about becoming “paper tigers”—folks who could ace every written test on points of sail, but still struggled to tie their fenders on the correct side of the boat.

That said, let’s be honest: those early days of learning are much easier with solid structure and good instruction. A knowledgeable coach, a clear syllabus, and a few reps on a dry-erase board can save you from years of guesswork—and possibly a few awkward dockside recoveries.

I’ve met plenty of “old salts” (and a few six-year-old Opti ninjas) who’ve never taken a class in their life. Some are excellent sailors. But here’s the catch: they’re limited by their experience. If they haven’t seen it, they haven’t learned it. On the flip side, I’ve also worked with sailors who can explain laminar flow like they’re auditioning for a TED Talk… and then go out and sail with everything way over-trimmed. Knowledge isn’t power until you know when to ease the sheet. Pro tip… when in doubt… let it out.

In my view, the best sailors are the ones who blend book smarts with boat smarts. They mix structured learning—certifications, clinics, seminars, online courses—with hands-on experience, peer feedback, and the occasional “well-that-didn’t-work” moment on the water. Most importantly, they never stop learning. They’re curious. They ask questions. They challenge their own assumptions. They show up to a rules seminar not because they’re confused, but because they don’t want to be.

So whether you’re on your first American Sailing course or your fiftieth Wednesday night race, keep mixing it up. Stay curious. Stay teachable. And above all, keep trimming.

Just… not too much.