Capsize Drill – Do It Dry (If You Can)

 

Capsize Drill – Do It Dry (If You Can)

Because getting soaked should be a choice, not a surprise

Let’s get one thing clear: if you sail dinghies, you will capsize. It’s not a matter of if — it’s a matter of when (and how dramatically). But if you're smart, prepared, and a little bit lucky, your first capsize won't involve a frantic scramble, a missing tiller, or an audience.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the capsize drill — and the golden rule we’ve learned:

Practice it dry, before it happens wet.

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🧭 What is a Capsize Drill?

A capsize drill is a controlled rehearsal of what to do when your dinghy tips over. It teaches you:

• How to fall safely

• What to grab (and what not to)

• How to right the boat

• How to re-board without looking like a flailing seal

Ideally, you do this in warm weather, with safety boats nearby, and an instructor who promises not to laugh (too much).

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☀️ Why Do It “Dry”?

We don’t mean without water — that would be magic. We mean:

• Practice in gentle, controlled conditions

• With an instructor or coach watching

• With no race pressure, spectators, or crosswinds

• With a boat that’s been set up for the drill (e.g., centreboard down, sails depowered)

When you’re ready, you deliberately capsize the boat — and go through the steps. It’s not a surprise. No screaming. No panicked flailing. Just calm, soggy learning.

It’s the best kind of rehearsal: the one where you can fail safely.

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⛵ Our First Dry Capsize (and What We Learned)

We were told, “Right, now tip it over.”

It felt wrong — like we were breaking the boat on purpose. But in we went, over the side, into the river. Then we:

1. Checked our heads — no boom bonks ✔️

2. Found the centreboard and climbed on ✔️

3. Leaned back and watched the boat slowly right itself ✔️

4. Got back in (eventually) ✔️

A bit of effort, a lot of splashing, and one pair of floating sunglasses later — we’d done it.

And here’s the thing: once you’ve done it on purpose, it’s far less scary by accident.

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🔄 Capsize Checklist

• ✅ Centreboard down before launch

• ✅ Painter not tangled

• ✅ Sails depowered for drill

• ✅ Crew briefed (no surprise pushes!)

• ✅ Safety boat nearby

• ✅ Warm-ish water if possible (and a towel waiting)

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🤿 Pro Tip: Clothing Counts

Wetsuit or drysuit? Buoyancy aid or life jacket?
Capsizing is when you find out whether your gear actually works. Dry drills are a great time to test what you’re wearing — before you do it in 8°C water during a November race.

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🏁 Final Thought

Capsizing is part of the fun — once you know what to do. And while you can’t always stay dry, you can make sure your first capsize doesn’t end with tears, lost shoes, or a call for the safety boat.

So tip it. Flip it. Laugh. Then do it again.
Next time the boat goes over — you’ll be ready.