If you are anything like me, when you first learn to sail, it can be a bit confusing to "see" or visualize just where the wind comes from.
You might learn how to use sail telltales--short pieces of yarn or ribbon that attach to the leading edge of a sail.
But there's a much better way that will make you a better, more independent sailor.
And you will be much more in tune with the wind and waves.
Blind sailors learn to sail by feeling the wind on their faces, cheeks, ears, or the back of their necks.
They develop this ability to such a degree that they can sail as well or better than those that can see.
International racing competitions are held between blind sailors, and many blind sailors have sailed thousands of miles across oceans.
You can train your body to "feel" the wind with just a bit of practice.
This will help you sail better, faster, and with much more confidence.
And, you don't need a sailboat to learn how to do this.
This simple exercise will help you begin to develop a "seventh sailing sense".
It's easy and just takes a bit of practice.
Follow these steps: 1.
Go outside on a day when you have a breeze.
2.
Find an area clear of obstructions that might block the wind.
3.
Relax and try to clear your mind so that you can just concentrate on feeling the wind.
4.
Turn your entire body so that you face into the wind.
5.
Close your eyes.
Put on sunglasses to block out as much sunlight as possible.
6.
Concentrate on the wind.
Adjust your body until you feel that you are square to the wind.
7.
Rotate your body to the right a bit at a time until you feel the wind on your left cheek and ear.
Make fine adjustments so that your body lines up 90 degrees to the wind direction.
8.
Continue to rotate to the right until your back faces the wind.
Note how the wind feels on the back of your neck.
That's a super sensitive part of your body that will help you "feel" the wind even better! 9.
Keep rotating to the right.
Stop for a minute when you feel the wind on your right cheek and ear.
Make fine adjustments so that your body lines up 90 degrees to the wind direction.
Then, continue around until you face square into the wind.
10.
Open your eyes.
Relax for a few minutes.
Repeat this exercise, but this time, rotate your body to the left all the way around.
Remember to stop at each of the four positions described above.
At each of those positions, make fine adjustments with your entire body.
Practice this exercise a few times a week until you become more comfortable with "feeling" the wind.
Make it your goal to get to a point where you can stop your rotation without fine-tuning adjustments.
Learn to sail like a pro when you develop your secret "seventh sailing sense".
You will become a better, more confident sailor faster than you ever thought possible--wherever in the world you choose to sail!
You might learn how to use sail telltales--short pieces of yarn or ribbon that attach to the leading edge of a sail.
But there's a much better way that will make you a better, more independent sailor.
And you will be much more in tune with the wind and waves.
Blind sailors learn to sail by feeling the wind on their faces, cheeks, ears, or the back of their necks.
They develop this ability to such a degree that they can sail as well or better than those that can see.
International racing competitions are held between blind sailors, and many blind sailors have sailed thousands of miles across oceans.
You can train your body to "feel" the wind with just a bit of practice.
This will help you sail better, faster, and with much more confidence.
And, you don't need a sailboat to learn how to do this.
This simple exercise will help you begin to develop a "seventh sailing sense".
It's easy and just takes a bit of practice.
Follow these steps: 1.
Go outside on a day when you have a breeze.
2.
Find an area clear of obstructions that might block the wind.
3.
Relax and try to clear your mind so that you can just concentrate on feeling the wind.
4.
Turn your entire body so that you face into the wind.
5.
Close your eyes.
Put on sunglasses to block out as much sunlight as possible.
6.
Concentrate on the wind.
Adjust your body until you feel that you are square to the wind.
7.
Rotate your body to the right a bit at a time until you feel the wind on your left cheek and ear.
Make fine adjustments so that your body lines up 90 degrees to the wind direction.
8.
Continue to rotate to the right until your back faces the wind.
Note how the wind feels on the back of your neck.
That's a super sensitive part of your body that will help you "feel" the wind even better! 9.
Keep rotating to the right.
Stop for a minute when you feel the wind on your right cheek and ear.
Make fine adjustments so that your body lines up 90 degrees to the wind direction.
Then, continue around until you face square into the wind.
10.
Open your eyes.
Relax for a few minutes.
Repeat this exercise, but this time, rotate your body to the left all the way around.
Remember to stop at each of the four positions described above.
At each of those positions, make fine adjustments with your entire body.
Practice this exercise a few times a week until you become more comfortable with "feeling" the wind.
Make it your goal to get to a point where you can stop your rotation without fine-tuning adjustments.
Learn to sail like a pro when you develop your secret "seventh sailing sense".
You will become a better, more confident sailor faster than you ever thought possible--wherever in the world you choose to sail!
Source...