Skipper training IJsselmeer 2.0 – an educational weekend with Tommy

Trainer with calmness, overview and sensitivity

Our trainer, Tommy, led this training with great calm, expertise, and empathy. He was approachable at all times and even deliberately allowed us to make mistakes, so we could analyze them together afterward. Without being arrogant, but with plenty of clarity and structure. Just the right balance of challenge and encouragement.

Training on the water – Day 1: Calm, focus, sensitivity

The first day was almost windless—a seeming disadvantage that turned out to be a learning advantage: We were able to focus intensively on harbor maneuvers, line handling, communication on board, and the intricacies of being a skipper. How do I plan a mooring maneuver in a shifting wind? How do we coordinate effectively as a crew?

Day 2: 12 knots of wind – finally sailing!

On the second day, the wind picked up to around 12 knots —perfect conditions for experiencing the boat in motion. We were able to experience the effect of small course corrections, the importance of trim and weight, and the boat's response to wind pressure in real-life situations. We also practiced reefing underway and handling sudden gusts.

Stadthafen Lemmer

Organization top – boat with drawbacks

The entire organization by 45°Nord was excellent: clear agreements, good materials, and a pleasant group dynamic. Unfortunately, the condition of the boat used left much to be desired – minor technical defects and the general state of maintenance somewhat marred the otherwise very positive overall impression. Much more could have been achieved with less effort.

My conclusion

The IJsselmeer 2.0 skipper training is highly recommended for anyone who wants to develop their skipper skills – practical, under real conditions, with a trainer like Tommy, who knows exactly how to develop teams and embrace responsibility on board.

The weekend was not only professionally enriching for me, but also a wonderful way to unwind – with the feeling of sailing, valuable conversations, and a touch of moist air in my hair.

PS

For anyone considering booking such a training course: The course is ideal for ambitious recreational sailors who would like to soon assume crew responsibility themselves – or simply want to start their next charter with a feeling of security.