Written by Katie Horsfield and Sophie Bentley from the 2000 Class Association
There’s an art to crewing – a blend of athleticism, intuition, patience, and psychology. Over the years we’ve learned that a good crew doesn’t just pull ropes or hike hard, they help create calm amid the chaos. Hopefully in the below we can share a few tips to keep your helm smiling and your boat flying.
1. Keep the Helm Happy
When asked to write this article, we joked this should be tips 1 to 10! A happy helm is a fast helm. They’re delicate creatures, easily unsettled by chaos, hunger, or bad vibes. Feed them snacks, give them calm, and radiate positivity. Be organised both on shore and afloat. If they’re happy, the boat will be too.
2. Hike Hard
Nothing glamorous about it – it helps more than you know!
3. Practice Makes (Almost) Perfect
People love to ask what makes a great crew. We believe it’s time on the water, and lots of it. Perfect manoeuvres under pressure come only from practice. When you can nail every tack and gybe on command, everything else gets easier. I remember preparing for my first nationals, Dad and I at Weir Wood after school, just the two of us on the lake, practising gybes in howling wind for hours. “Natural talent” is mostly just years of repetition. The more you practise, the more confident and adaptable you’ll be on race day.
4. Talk the Talk
“Communication is key” gets thrown around so much, so we’ve tried to breakdown what it actually means to us, as a crew.
Make it two-way: If something’s not working, say so. Can’t see the kite in light air? Speak up.
Be concise: Use short, shared words with clear meaning. In our boat, “happy” means we’re settled and going fast. “Looking” means I’m considering a tack. Two words, no confusion.
Stay focused: Early in the beat, talk puffs, lulls, and lanes. Near the top mark, switch to traffic and downwind setup. Always talk about what matters now. Communication should evolve with the race.
Tailor your talk: Ask your helm what feedback they want – some helms want constant feedback; others prefer silence unless something’s breaking. Learn which you’ve got.
5. Know Your Role
Sort out who does what before leaving the shore. Great boats run like F1 teams – everyone knows their job. Simon and I use a “handover” system – once he nails the start, he literally says “handover” and I take over tactics. Before the top mark, I hand it back. No crossed wires, no mid-race debates.
6. Know Your Helm
No two helms are wired the same. Some want a constant feed of gust calls; others only care about the big picture. Learn their rhythm, adapt your tone, timing, and talk. The best crews are part sailor, part mind reader.
7. Be Proactive
The dream crew is invisible but indispensable. They operate one step ahead so anticipate what’s next and don’t wait to be told. Check course boards, spot shifts, move weight early, and help with setup. Initiative wins races.
8. Stay Adaptable
As much as we hate it, helms change their minds – often mid-manoeuvre. That drop-gybe? Now it’s a gybe-drop. Don’t panic, don’t sulk – adapt. Just make sure the communication stays alive. We can cope with indecision, but silence, not so much!
9. Mindset Matters
A light mood makes a fast boat. If you catch yourselves rehashing that bad first beat on the final run, call “SUMO” – Shut Up, Move On. Focus forward. A fresh mindset resets the race and keeps your helm from spiralling.
10. Nail the Weight Game
Boat balance is one of the most underrated arts. Feel the pressure, sense the heel, and move instinctively (see tip #3 to achieve this!).
We were also once told “don’t sit in front of the TV.” The TV is the telltales, the forestay and the waves. The helm wants to see what’s coming, so as you move in and out, don’t get in their way. When you move in, slide in with your hips first, keeping your shoulders out and down so you don’t sit right in the helm’s view.
When you’ve sailed together long enough, you’ll barely need to talk about weight placement. You’ll just feel it. Still, it’s worth checking in: “How’s the boat feel?” is a simple way to keep that shared awareness alive.
The number 1 best way to become a great crew? Sail every boat you can with as many good sailors as possible. Borrow ideas, steal techniques, and find what fits your style. Every boat teaches you something new – and the more you learn, the faster you’ll be.
Crewing is equal parts teamwork, timing, and trust. It’s a constant conversation – between two people, the boat, and the wind. When it all clicks, it feels effortless.
And finally, don’t forget to enjoy yourself. It’s not always about the winning – it’s about loving the time you spend on the water. When you’re relaxed and having fun, the results tend to take care of themselves.
