http://sailingtheislands.com Exploring The Couple's Life Aboard a Sailboat Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:23:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://sailingtheislands.com/2010/09/17/should-couples-take-sailing-classes-together/comment-page-1/#comment-9 jeffgrossman Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:23:14 +0000 http://sailingtheislands.com/?p=232#comment-9 We believe the original comment reflects the traditional classes of one instructor and many students where it is more challenging to "manage" a dominant partner. We agree with Harold that even in the traditional environment, a good instructor can manage these issues. When Jean and I (Jeff) teach Couple-to-Couple, we spend time with the couple together, and time when Jean and the woman student focus one thing while I and the male student work on something else. There are also times when we switch. Many men may feel reluctant to admit lack of knowledge in an area (like engines) to another man, but may let their guard down a bit with Jean. Also, the woman learning from Jeff can see that she can team sail with a man as an equal partner. With the approach of one couple teaching one couple these issues are managed directly and the end goal, the couple sailing together as a team, is always in mind. We believe the original comment reflects the traditional classes of one instructor and many students where it is more challenging to “manage” a dominant partner. We agree with Harold that even in the traditional environment, a good instructor can manage these issues.
When Jean and I (Jeff) teach Couple-to-Couple, we spend time with the couple together, and time when Jean and the woman student focus one thing while I and the male student work on something else. There are also times when we switch. Many men may feel reluctant to admit lack of knowledge in an area (like engines) to another man, but may let their guard down a bit with Jean. Also, the woman learning from Jeff can see that she can team sail with a man as an equal partner.
With the approach of one couple teaching one couple these issues are managed directly and the end goal, the couple sailing together as a team, is always in mind.

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