When you are crewing, the best way to get invited back is to arrive at the boat with a positive attitude, fully prepared and in a great mood.
The next thing to ensure you are asked back is a willingness to listen and learn from your teammates. Contribute to the day’s race, offer suggestions and share information without upsetting the people who you are sailing with.
Preparing For The Day’s Race.
This should start before you leave home. Have a decent breakfast, put together on board snacks and drinks (unless the boat you sail on has that in hand).
Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, packing the right onboard gear necessary to cope with the weather for that day.
Arriving At The Boat
Don’t hang around the clubhouse gossiping and catching up with mates, you are there to sail.
Make sure you get to the boat early and be prepared to do any job that is asked of you.
This is the best time to familiarise yourself with the boat and its systems so you won’t get caught out in a pressure situation.
Find out who is the person in charge and ask what you are doing on the boat and what needs to be done and get into it.
If other crew members are lurking about don’t join them, start getting sails ready, and gear stowed. If not sure, ask, there is plenty of time to socialise once the jobs are done.
Heading Out
Once you have left the beach or Marina start thinking about the race and finding out about the course, and competitors to watch out for and what to expect so you can get your head in the right space.
Ask about any idiosyncrasies of the boat that may not be obvious. Get to know the positions and strengths of your crewmates.
Listen and don’t be boastful about your own abilities. You may well be sailing with some very capable but quiet crewmates who can teach you plenty.
On the way out to the racecourse, find out what sails you’re putting up. Then, while warming up on the course, discuss boat setup and racecourse features.
Find out where the boat needs weight placed in different circumstances to give the best boatspeed and be ready to move without being asked. As an example, does the boat perform best slightly heeled or dead flat upwind?
The Start Sequence
Every helmsperson and team have different procedures and techniques for starting a race.
Find out what is normal so that when an emergency manoeuvre is necessary you are not blindsided and have no idea what to do.
Do not hope to wing it and don’t be too shy to talk it through with those nearest you.
The Race
Concentrate on the job you have been assigned to and if not sure, ask but always at an appropriate time.
Find out what communication the helmsperson or on a larger boat the tactician requires and try not to add something that is not your job. Fewer but concise words are generally the best way to pass on what you have been asked to communicate.
It’s best to ask beforehand how they want to receive the information.
Communicate what is important based on the current situation, and realise that the situation can change.
Above all stay positive even if things are going to hell in a handbasket.
Post Race
Help to pack the boat up and wash it down. Don’t rush to get to the bar or go home.
Join the debrief, ask questions, be curious, work hard, and you’ll always be invited back.”
