The Joyrider TV Classroom Series
Fundamentals
Learn the core theory that make a sailboat move efficiently and in control.
In this module, we cover the most important fundamentals — how to make the boat go and get to where you want to go.
You’ll learn:
How to choose the right course to steer
How to set your sails for each point of sail
Where to sit for balance and speed
Techniques for upwind, downwind, and reaching
How to handle course changes and manoeuvres with confidence
1.1 What's Most Important?
1.2 Upwind Course to Steer
1.3 Upwind Mainsail Setting & Trim
1.4 Downwind Course to Steer & Apparent Wind
1.5 Downwind Sail Setting & Trim
Extra: Points of Sail and Traveller Settings
Extra: Complete First Time Out Lesson
Changing Direction
In this module, we dive deep into one of the most fundamental parts of sailing a beach catamaran: turning the boat efficiently, cleanly, and with total confidence.
Across this course, we break down the techniques, timing, and decision-making behind heading up, bearing away, tacking, and gybing — all taught in clear, practical steps you can start using immediately on the water. Whether you’re a newer sailor aiming to build a solid foundation or an experienced rider looking to tighten up your manoeuvres, this course will sharpen your skills and boost your confidence.
Click on the 3 lines top right to see all of the videos in this module.
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Rules
4.3 The Start
4.4 The Upwind Leg
4.5 The Downwind Leg
4.6 The Finish
Extra: Real Racing - F18s at Lake Como
Extra: Real Racing - Hobie 14s in Mississippi
Power Control
Whether you sail a Hobie 16, Hobie 18, Nacra, Topcat, Tornado or anything in between, these lessons give you the tools to sail faster, safer, and with far more confidence in gusty or powered-up conditions.
Across six focused lessons, you’ll learn:
• the core concepts behind power generation
• how to steer efficiently upwind
• how to set and trim your sails for control
• how to stay fast on the beam reach
• how to stay in control when flying a hull
• how to react to gusts before they become problems
Click on the 3 lines top right to see all of the videos in this module.
3.1 General Concepts
3.2 Upwind Steering and Course
3.25 Upwind Mainsheet and Traveller
3.3 Downwind
3.4 The Beam Reach
3.5 Flying the Hull
Extra: Upwind Settings
Extra: Downwind Settings
Extra: Upwind & Downwind Course in Strong Wind
Extra: Flying the Hull
Start Racing
In this module, we take your catamaran sailing to the next level by introducing the core skills, concepts, and decision-making needed to start racing with confidence. You’ll learn how racecourses work, how to sail efficient upwind and downwind legs, how to plan your manoeuvres, and how to position yourself for clean, fast starts. We also cover essential racing habits such as boat awareness, reading the fleet, understanding rights of way, and managing your approach to the line. Whether you’re completely new to racing or looking to sharpen your early-race strategy, this course will give you the structure, clarity, and confidence to line up, start well, and sail smarter.
Click on the 3 lines top left to see the module content
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Rules
4.3 The Start
4.4 The Upwind Leg
4.5 The Downwind Leg
4.6 The Finish
Extra: Real Racing - F18s at Lake Como
Extra: Real Racing - Hobie 14s in Mississippi
Spinnaker 101
In this module, we take a clear and confidence-building introduction to using the spinnaker on a beach catamaran — the turbo-boost sail that transforms your downwind sailing. Across this course, we break down the setup, hoisting and dropping techniques, trim, crew roles, and the key skills needed to sail fast, deep, and in control with the kite up. Whether you’re brand new to spinnaker sailing or looking to refine your handling and boost performance, this module gives you the practical steps and understanding to get comfortable, stay safe, and unlock the real speed potential of your boat.
Click on the 3 lines top right to see all of the videos in this module.
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Rigging
5.3 Helming
5.4 Crewing
5.5 Heavy Wind
5.6 Crew Positions
Extra: The Complete Spinnaker Guide
Extra: The Bag Spinnaker System
Trapezing
In this module, we break down one of the biggest skill jumps in catamaran sailing: trapezing with confidence and control. You’ll learn how the trapeze system works, where it attaches to the boat, and how trapezing dramatically increases righting moment and performance.
We cover correct setup, body position, hook-in technique, and how to move smoothly between inboard and outboard positions without upsetting the boat. You’ll also learn how to adjust trapeze height, respond to gusts, and stay balanced while steering and trimming sails.
Click on the 3 lines in the top right to see all of the videos in this module.
6.1 Fundamentals
6.2 Equipment
6.3 Safety
6.4 Moving Out as Crew
6.5 Helming on the Trapeze
6.6 Refining Technique and What If?
Extra: How to Trapeze
Extra: The Complete Trapeze System
Extra: Helming on the Trapeze
Extra: Trapezing Safety
Launching and Landing
Launching and landing are where most problems, breakages, and capsizes happen — not out on the racecourse.
This module is designed to give you clear, repeatable decision-making for real-world launching and landing situations, whether you sail from open beaches, lakes, marinas, or pontoons.
We start with the core fundamentals that apply everywhere — wind awareness, planning ahead, safety mindset — then move through the most common launching environments, breaking each one down step by step.
Click on the 3 lines top right to see all of the videos in this module.
7.1 Fundamentals
7.2 Onshore Wind
7.3 Crossshore & Offshore
7.4 Waves
7.5 On the Lake
7.6 Between Obstructions
7.7 The Marina
Extra: Approaching the Beach - Onshore Wind
Extra: Approaching the Beach - Crossshore Wind
Extra: Launching and Landing in Waves
Hobie 16 Tuning
If your Hobie 16 sometimes feels incredible… and other times feels sticky, heavy, or hard work for no obvious reason, this module is for you. This course strips away guesswork and internet folklore and replaces it with a clear, practical understanding of how to tune a Hobie 16 so it feels balanced, fast, and predictable. The aim isn’t perfection on paper — it’s a boat that tells you what it needs, and responds immediately when you adjust it.
This is an extensive, real-world tuning module, built around how Hobie 16s are actually sailed. Rather than chasing numbers in isolation, we focus on cause and effect: what each control changes, how the controls interact, and how to recognise when the boat is under-powered, powered, or over-powered.
Click on the 3 lines top right to see all of the videos in this module.
8.1 Fundamentals
8.2 Battens
8.3 Jib Settings
8.4 Shroud Settings
8.5 Outhaul & Downhaul
8.6 Rig Tension
8.7 Traveller & Mainsheet
Extra: Tensioning Battens
Extra: The Jib System
Extra: Rig Tuning
Extra: Downhaul and Outhaul
Performance Catamaran Tuning
Performance catamaran tuning is where most speed is gained or lost — not from sailing harder, but from sailing with the rig working properly. This module is designed to give you clear, repeatable tuning decisions for tight-rig boats with spreaders and diamond wires, so you can switch modes confidently as conditions change. We start with mast setup fundamentals — rake, rig tension, spreader settings and pre-bend — then move through four practical sailing modes (upwind/downwind, looking for power vs overpowered), finishing with crew positioning so the whole system works together.
Click on the 3 lines top right to see all of the videos in the module
9.1 Intro and Overview
9.2 Rig Settings and Controls
9.3 Rig Set Up
9.4 Upwind Looking for Power
9.5 Downwind Looking for Power
9.6 Upwind Strong Wind
9.7 Downwind Strong Wind
9.8 Crew Positions
Extra: Prebend
Extra: Mast Rake
Extra: Rig Tension
Extra: Upwind Crew Positions
Extra: Downwind Crew Positions
Extra: Jib System
Seamanship
Most sailors spend years learning how to make a boat go fast — but very few are taught how to stay in control when things don’t go perfectly.
This module is about becoming a proper, rounded sailor: calmer, safer, more confident, and far more capable in real-world situations. If you want fewer stressful moments, fewer mistakes, and the confidence to handle whatever the session throws at you, this is one of the most valuable modules in the entire Joyrider Classroom series.
Seamanship is the difference between getting away with it and knowing exactly what you’re doing.
Click on the 3 lines in the top right tos see all of the videos in this module.
10.1 Module Overview
10.2 Stopping the Boat
10.3 Manoeuvring in Tight Spaces
10.4 Man Overboard
10.5 Capsize Recovery
10.6 Gear Failure and Injury
Extra: Man Overboard
Extra: Capsize Recovery
Extra: How to Get Back On
Extra: What Happens if You Fall Off?
Capsize Prevention
Most sailors capsize because they react too late — not because they do the wrong thing.
This module is about learning to recognise the warning signs early enough to stop the capsize before it happens. It’s about becoming a calmer, more aware sailor who understands what’s loading the boat, why it’s happening, and what small early actions make the biggest difference. If you want fewer swims, fewer breakages, and the confidence to push harder without constantly living on the edge, this is one of the most valuable modules in the Joyrider Classroom series.
Capsize prevention is the difference between sailing on instinct and sailing with understanding.
11.1 Module Content
11.2 The Sideways
11.3 The Backwards
11.4 The Pitchpole
11.5 The Gybe
11.6 The Bear Away
11.7 The Spinnaker
Extra: 7 Ways to Capsize
Extra: Capsize with the Spinnaker
Race Starts
Race starts aren’t about winning the first 30 seconds.
They’re about preparation, positioning, and clean execution.
This module breaks race starts down into a clear, repeatable system that works across catamarans and dinghies, from club racing to championship level.
You’ll learn how to prepare properly, read the start line and course, manage the fleet around you, position yourself in the final minutes, and exit the start with speed, space, and options.
The focus is on clean air, smart decisions, and consistency — not aggressive moves or last-second heroics.
Part of the Joyrider Classroom series: practical sailing instruction, explained clearly and honestly.
12.1 Module Contents
12.2 The Sequence
12.3 Where to Start on the Line
12.4 Final Preparations
12.5 Positioning in the Final 5 Minutes
12.6 Patterns, Practice & Communication
Racing: Next Level
Next Level Racing is the complete, practical guide to improving your race results and moving up the fleet. It covers the whole race — from preparation and race-day organisation (including a simple run sheet that reduces nerves) through to clear default strategies for upwind and downwind decisions, clean mark roundings, gates, and finishing strong without giving away places. You’ll also learn how long-distance racing changes the strategy, including when to commit to a side versus staying flexible up the middle. Designed for all levels up to mid-fleet racers, with simple, repeatable methods you can implement immediately.
- Desktop-hit the 3 lines in the top right to see the module contents
13.1 Module Contents
13.2 Prepare for Success
13.3 Upwind
13.4 The Spreader Leg
13.5 Downwind
13.6 The Gate
13.7 The Finish
13.8 Long Distance
Filming the Action
In this module, we move away from the whiteboard and into the real workflow of filming and editing sailing videos.
We start with camera choice and the settings that actually matter. Then we look at mounting positions on the boat, how to secure your cameras, and how to get angles that work.
From there, we go through the full process:
This is the exact system used on Joyrider TV, from filming on the water to publishing the finished video.
Click on the 3 lines in the top right hand corner to see module contents.
14.1 Cameras, Mounting, Editing and More
14.2 Which Camera?
14.3 Resolution and Frame Rate
14.4 Get the Best Shots
14.5 Get the Most from 360 Camera Footage
14.6 Creating Telemetry Overlays
14.7 Editing
14.8 Making YouTube Shorts and Reels
14.9 Starting a YouTube Channel and Uploading Videos
Extra: Where and How to Mount the Camera
Essential Catamaran Maintenance
In this module, we focus on the systems and habits that keep your catamaran reliable, safe, and performing at its best.
We start with the maintenance mindset — why regular inspections matter and how small checks prevent big problems. Then we break the process down into clear inspection schedules: before sailing, weekly, and monthly.
From there, we move through the essentials:
When to replace parts before they fail, how to diagnose heavy or stalling steering, understanding rope types and their correct applications, sail and trampoline care, essential tools, spare parts to carry, and keeping your spinnaker system running smoothly.
This is a practical, real-world approach to maintenance, based on decades of sailing, racing, and coaching experience — designed to help you avoid breakdowns, sail with confidence, and enjoy your time on the water.
Click on the 3 lines in the top right-hand corner to see module contents.
15.1 Module Contents
15.2 Routine Boat Inspections
15.3 Hull Taking Water?
15.4 When to Replace Parts
15.5 Improved Steering
15.6 Types of Rope and Where to Use Them
15.7 Sail and Trampoline Care
15.8 Tools and Spare Parts
15.9 The Spinnaker System
Extra: Which Tape to Use Where
Extra: Rope Length and Type Guide
Extra: Service Your Rudder Stock
Extra: Service Your Rudder System
Building Confident Crew - Teaching Others
16.1 The Fundamentals
16.2 Safety, Confidence & Communication
16.3 First Sail: Light Wind
16.4 Stronger Wind and Trapezing
16.5 The First Race
16.6 First Time Helming
Extra: First Time Crewing
Extra: How to Joyride Like a Pro
Extra: Spinnaker Crew Training
Reading the Wind
In this module we take a deep dive into one of the most important sailing skills – understanding what the wind is doing and using the information available to you while sailing. By learning how to interpret gusts, wind shifts, telltales and wind indicators, sailing becomes less about guesswork and more about responding intelligently to the wind.
17.1 Module Contents
17.2 Spot Gusts, Wind Direction & Local Wind Effects
17.3 How and Where to Spot Gusts on the Water
17.4 How to Steer Using Jib Telltales
17.5 Trim Your Sails Using Telltales
17.6 Upwind Course - No Jib
17.7 Why Use Leech Telltales?
Extra: Telltales and Wind Indicators
Catamaran Ropework
In this module we look at the ropework that actually gets used on a catamaran. Not every knot in the book. Just the ones that work, where to use them, and how to build clean, reliable systems on the boat. This module covers practical knots, real-world applications, Dyneema splicing for trapeze lines, and how to thread mainsheet purchase systems properly.