From what you say I guess your dad isn't around to tell you how to fly it, like the others said find a soaring club in your area or ask around with the guys you fly with now, they might know something about the subject, that would be the biggest help but if that doesn't work let us know here . . . I, or others here can give you the basics but it takes so long to type something like that out few want to do it and still you wouldn't get the whole pic. It'd be better to have someone in person to help you out. If your'e a learn from books type, RCMagazine publishes a 'how to' book called the "Sailplane and glider manual" . . . though a little dated it gives good advice on the basics which haven't changed over the years. Go to the RCMagazine.com site and check out their 'store' it should be there. I think it costs $15. Another idea is to get a video on the subject of thermals, I'm going to get one myself even though Iv'e been doing this off and on for twenty years. The one I'm going to get is called the 'secrets of the thermal' by Radio carbon art. (the internet site is the name with no spaces + .com) It looks very good and has gotten good reviews, it's about $25+shipping last I checked.
Rick K