On the day of your course, and after the briefing, your instructor will start by showing each member of the group how to bring the land yacht to a halt. Remember, these craft do not have brakes!
When you have mastered the art of stopping, you will progress to your first steering manoeuvres, called luff turns. During a luff turn, the nose of the land yacht turns first towards, then into, and finally away from, the direction of the wind. Luff turns are gentle and quite easy to perform.
Having proved your ability to carry out controlled luff turns, your instructor will set up a figure of eight course. Each turn that you do will be a luff turn. The course may be extended so that you travel further (and faster) between the markers that you are sailing around, whilst all the time improving your ability to control the machine.
If there is time, and your instructor is satisfied that you are ready for it, you may be shown how to carry out a gybe turn. In a gybe, the yacht turns the opposite way to a luff turn. As the pilot turns the yacht, the back of the craft is presented to the wind. The sail changes sides in what would be a very violent manoeuvre if not carried out correctly. But your instructor will lead you through the three steps that make up a good, controlled gybe turn. It is easy, if done properly.