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SLM DINGHY
SAILING PROGRAMS
SLM is an innovation developed in response to the widespread failure of dinghy programs to build and sustain youth and adult dinghy fleets. The right tool focuses energy on a long-term future, bringing so much more to a dinghy program and its people. See the comments below.
Our self-funded programs develop specialised and highly proficient dinghy coaches in-house. We equip programs with tools to operate effectively, to energise coaching and gain support. Because our coaches use SLM coaching tools, they are able to coordinate and apply themselves to the retention sailors through learning and improvement, leading to long-term growth and funding opportunities. The ability to learn and improve competently are essential to long-term retention where experienced sailors are prepared to enjoy sailing in youth and senior classes. Our unique system offers accountability, lower costs, and an operating surplus, making it simple to setup at any sailing venue. You shape the program to suit blue sky development for your team.
20 year history of coaches & clubs engaging families in sailing - it works
ABOUT
SLM
ABOUT
SLM
AGREEMENT TO OPERATE EFFECTIVELY
Our Structured Learning Methodology (SLM) approach has proven transformative for long-term dinghy sailing programs, offering a structured and sustainable framework for engagement and growth. The SLM organisation uses a holistic approach that is simpler to operate and more effective compared to other systems which invariably fail.
Key strengths of the SLM model include a focus on a founding agreement and the empowerment of the coaching group to lower operating costs, be accountable for growth and retention, and continuously improve. Supporting the coaching group is a state-of-the-art behavioral science methodology adapted as a sailing program.
By providing a holistic system designed to address the challenges faced by traditional sailing programs and offering a roadmap for sustained success, SLM empowers people to organize in a way that benefits participants and ensures the viability and success of sailing programs. It also generates income and engages hundreds of people (sailors, coaches, families) around sailing activities, fostering unity of purpose that supports competencies and long-term outcomes.
SLM begins with a founding agreement where coaches adhere to its guidelines, providing the necessary control to deliver long-term benefits. Government grants and sponsorships further enhance the potential to acquire equipment and improve infrastructure.
Once the SLM program is operational, the host club can enjoy a viable sailing program with a growing membership base. In a short time, the club becomes ideally suited for volunteers to engage in building an active off-the-beach sailing program with social and sailing events for the broader membership.
SLM began in 2002, testimonials from some of Australia's most successful coaches and sailors validate the effectiveness of this approach, highlighting the potential for coaches, sailors, volunteers, and clubs to thrive within the SLM environment.
Please take the time to contact the website to discover why your sailing program could benefit significantly by adopting the SLM approach.
OUR VISION
Stronger sailing clubs with active sailing programs and functional community relationships.
OUR EXPERTISE
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Start-up and operational guidance using cash flows, surpluses and sponsorships
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Online tools, program curriculum and coaching support to develop their careers
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Guidance to compete effectively with rival sporting codes and with other sailing programs through better quality, growth, retention and lower marginal cost
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Community engagement in sailing in small or large sailing clubs in regional or city centres
PROGRAM ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST
If you cant see evidence of the following commitments, the program is not long-term. The miracle of SLM technology and why it is unique is in the way it accommodates/automates key elements that are normally impossible to manage:
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Relationships with parents and the local community almost all are entertainment based for busy parents who drop and run. For SLM these relationships are part of the program - their presence is fundamental to nurturing and essential to volunteers who support social and sailing activities, at an active sailing club
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Does the program have a long-term plan almost all are course-based programs ie short term. SLM has a 5 year rolling schedule of resources that forecasts people and equipment resource requirements, scheduled classes for sailors, career paths to develop coaches. The coaching group has tools and is tasked to exceed forecast.
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Focus on foundation skills and competencies many programs focus on fun, which sounds nice until a young sailor becomes anxious and out of control. SLM technical focus supports safety, self-esteem, confidence and motivation to continue in the sport. Most of all it is part of the curriculum and why sailors turn up to improve each week. In most cases this is not about being a star, more about not being left behind.
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It is crucial not to start unless the commitment from other families is assured. SLM coaches do that as part of an induction which discourages non-committed families with young children from participating as it impacts the program's sustainability, group learning, and social interaction. Choosing to commit is also an essential life lesson for children, instilling the importance of supporting their peers. 50% of parents choose not to commit.
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Preparation of juniors to transition to youth and senior classes in viable numbers - SLM focus on retention is to assure class sizes are large enough for social, educational and financial sustainability reasons
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Are sailors of similar age and competencies, developing, socialising and graduating together most programs combine age and competence which makes coaching inefficient and socialisation awkward ie see school based education. SLM builds fleets of similar age and competency so that they can focus on development rather than remediation ie the basis of a steeper learning curve
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Coaches have tools to identify and respond to technical and procedural issues most programs do not control what happens to underperforming sailors who mostly drop out compromising social and developmental outcomes and viability. SLM coaches learn to monitor class sizes and use tools to maintain viable class numbers
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A curriculum for coaches to support youth and senior classes most programs use generic course-based instruction to teach juniors with no curriculum for youth and senior classes. SLM is the only one in existence with a youth, junior and senior class curriculum adapted to the selected training flee
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Self-organisation is essential with SLM, administration disrupts sailors who know the schedule where participation is routine, coaches have tools to resolve issues and can be accountable as part of their job.
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Does the club encourage volunteers to setup a long-term training and development program SLM is designed as a DIY community based child, youth and leadership development program, the only one in the world that can adapt to any dinghy class and operate in any location, with existing equipment, with or without finances.
SERVICES
cornerstone to an Active Sailing Program, a busier club environment
SLM DINGHY TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
Proposal documentation adapted to club circumstance for management consideration.
Advice to implement SLM Dinghy Training & Development necessarily starting with a small coaching group who begin with children aged 8-10 and an SLM curriculum. The coaching group develop competent sailors progress in pools through junior, youth and adult stages.
Advice is available to the coaching group to apply themselves to the operating system to generate support and long-term retention. Coaching group performance improves through three stages of development.
SLM ACTIVE SAILING PROGRAMS
As the SLM generates sailors and coaches, an opportunity will emerge to build and active off-the-beach sailing program
Guidance is available to organise volunteers and support the club who will not be prepared for such increased activity.
Program proposal documentation is complimentary. Fee for services is pre-paid annually or as required.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
The SLM system is an amazing tool for sailing programs looking to turn their sailors into lifelong members of the sport. The program uses time-tested ideas with modern learning organisation principles to ensure sailors, coaches and clubs all benefit.
With a clear structure, open communication and high enrolment of all members and volunteers in an SLM program, great results can and have been achieved.
Don has created a methodology that not only showcases his passion for the continual development of clubs and community, but also enhances coaching effectiveness, and steers members into being lifelong contributors into the sport."
Ryan Palk - Sail Change
"The SLM structure had a massive impact on my sailing career. When I moved to Perth I had no structure in my training and coming into a club that was run with this program accelerated my learning immensely and put me on the right pathway to reach my goals. Without it, my whole sailing experience would have been very different and I doubt I would have come as far as I have.
Luke Elliott Sailing
CONTACT
Don Elks
For any general inquiries, please fill in the following contact form:
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