In a nutshell:
Bobbing around on water with the wind in your hair and fish for company!

Tell me more!
Sailing can be a regular pastime if you have regular access to a boat or something you dip into when you are on holiday. It is a sport that is open to most people regardless of age, fitness and ability – there are many different boats that are adapted for particular needs e.g. children and people with a disability. There are choices of crafts you can sail in and dinghies are ideal for one or two people to enjoy. Usually sized between two to four metres long, there are many different types which are built to be slow or fast. Dinghies are relatively lightweight compared to a yacht and you become the weight that keeps it stable - expect to fall in sometimes when you first start learning and also as you get better, its all part of the fun! Yachts are weighted at the bottom and so there is less risk of you going overboard although you are likely to be in deeper waters if you do! Yachts tend to have a crew of people and this can be a great way to learn as there is less pressure on you if you get ruffled, one of the team can jump in and help you out!   

   

The stuff you need
Taking lessons at a club means you have a variety of boats to try and you can find out what you prefer to sail, as well as what you might like to buy further down the line. Equipment is usually available at the club to hire or as part of your package and saves you having to pay out for things that may be the wrong size, make or unsuitable for your type of sailing. A buoyancy aid or a lifejacket should be worn at all times when you are taking part in either activity. A buoyancy aid is ideal for people who can already swim and because it is less bulky than a lifejacket, it is much easier to move around in on the boat. Children or non swimming adults should wear a lifejacket at all times as a safety measure as water can be dangerous fun. Shorts, quick drying t-shirt, non-slip shoes and a hat may be all you need to wear in the summer but more technical equipment includes wetsuits, drysuits, wet boots, spray suits, harness and gloves. Wetsuits can be worn throughout summer and are a necessity in the winter, you can buy a shortie version that leaves your arms and legs exposed and is made of a thinner material as well as a warmer, thicker full body version for the winter. Speak to the professionals and other sailors at the club as they can advise you on what you do and don’t need and the best ways to spend your money wisely.

Cool things you can do
Once you know how to handle your boat, you can move onto dinghy or yacht racing, often at your local sailing club as well as regional and national levels. Racing can be split according to the type of dinghy and often split again into classes such as senior, ladies and juniors so you don’t just have to own a top notch boat to take part. The racing classes may also include categories for single and double sailors as well as adults and children combined. Yacht racing is different as it uses a crew of people who need to work together in order to get the fastest possible speeds from the boat. Learn all of the technical names for the different parts of the boat as there is no time to hesitate when the words ‘gybe’, ‘mainsheet’ and ‘clutch’ are thrown at you! There are a lot of heavy moving parts on the yacht and you must pay attention to what is going on around you at all times so that there are no unfortunate incidents with the boom! You have the freedom to charter a boat at home or abroad to take you to places you have never been and it could be your chance of a lifetime to sail around the world (or at least part of it!)

 

People in the know!
go-sail.co.uk/
newtosailing.com
yachtsandyachting.com/
sailingandwatersport.co.uk

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Get a taste of speed sailing without getting wet!