1. Practice those skills I'll need so they're nearly automatic

a. i.e., don’t take up the chief’s time when you’re not ready

2. Learn to recognize (and forecast) 15 knots of wind

a. Don’t frustrate yourself, ask someone to help identify

3. Talk to Chiefs and Skippers to develop a sense of boat judgment

4. Get to know the Chiefs and develop a responsible name/face

a. Go to parties, cruises and such. There’s more explanation below.

5. Be tactfully persistent and patient

6. Find someone with better sailing skills and sail with them

7. Initiate an Advanced Class

a. Find some others and ask your Vice Commodore

By-Laws (students.washington.edu/sailing/library/bylawstext.html), Section II, E., 2. states that; “To obtain a Skipper rating, one must: …

…l. Demonstrate consideration for the safety of lives and the protection of club equipment…”

Most things necessary to earn a skipper rating can be visually or verbally tested for. 'l.', however, is something much less tangible. It's a judgment call and can only be seen over time with your repeated exposure to the club and, yes, it's true, “here-say”.

That is to say, if you've successfully completed all other points required by the By-Laws, but the Chief doesn’t trust your judgment or doesn’t know you, but has heard as such, they'd be within their right not to award you a Skipper Rating. ‘Judgment’ can be things like your repeated attempts to take boats out without permission, not giving enough deference to your crew's condition (physical strength, boat handling knowledge, clothing and weather conditions) or getting yourself repeatedly into boating related “situations”.

This is such to protect not only the club, but you, as well. Until you've been blown about in 15+ winds in a dinghy, you just don’t know. A skipper rating is a reasonably serious thing.

Just be ready (you) and be patient (wind). When you get out in Hazardous Conditions, you'll thank us...sincerely; both for waiting until you're ready AND for helping you respect and enjoy those conditions, rather than fear or be injured by them. It’s well worth the time, but only you can make it happen.