| Sailing is a great sport for everyone | | | | excellent place to learn to sail. |
| The great thing about learning to sail, especially in the | | | | Sailing on the UK coast starts around April and usually |
| UK, is that the coast is so close to us. We are never | | | | finishes in September. Mediterranean sailing lasts a |
| too far from a sailing adventure! Leaving the land | | | | little longer. Look to the Canaries or the Caribbean for |
| behind us and disappearing into the ocean on a yacht | | | | winter sailing. You can sail a dinghy in the UK all year |
| is less of a dream than you may think. | | | | round. |
| People of all ages are learning to sail. There is no age | | | | Be Safe |
| limit and children as young as 5 can help crew a | | | | Safety on the water is the most important factor to |
| yacht. Most sailing only requires a small amount of | | | | consider when learning to sail. |
| physical strength, meaning it can easily become a | | | | Avoid crowded harbours and peak hours. Having to |
| passion enjoyed by everybody. | | | | keep a safe distance from other vessels will only |
| Leaning to sail doesn't have to be expensive. Don't | | | | distract you. |
| rush out and buy the most expensive clothing and | | | | To begin with, go out in low winds. There is no point |
| equipment. For your first few times on the water | | | | in sailing for speed straight away. Ensure you can |
| you can borrow or rent anything you may need. | | | | walk before you can run! |
| Invest in the sport once you've started to sail | | | | Always run through a safety drill before you leave |
| regularly. | | | | dock. |
| People with disabilities, such as vision impairment, can | | | | The chances are you'll learn to sail in a small boat or |
| sail without restriction. Wheelchair users can still | | | | one with a light boom. Learning to control the boom |
| participate in the sport but should be more careful in | | | | is essential for smooth sailing and safety. |
| their selection of sailing vessel. | | | | Swimming |
| Learning to sail is a wonderful experience and a | | | | It may sound like simple advice, but if you're going on |
| hobby which will bring you hours of enjoyment. It's | | | | the water you need to be able to swim. Even the |
| not a hard sport to conquer but the potential hazards | | | | most experienced sailor will find themselves in the |
| you'll encounter mean safety is key. We've put | | | | water at some point. Being a competent swimmer |
| together this guide to help you when learning to sail. | | | | will ensure you stay calm in a potentially harmful |
| Where To Begin? | | | | situation. |
| Contact your local sailing club and offer your services | | | | Vital Equipment |
| as a novice crew. | | | | You'll need the following items when learning to sail: |
| Or teach yourself the basics with books or on the | | | | A good set of boat shoes A life jacket or buoyancy |
| internet, and then contact a sailing club. | | | | aid Signal equipment Brightly coloured clothing suitable |
| Book yourself onto a sailing course - these normally | | | | for current weather conditions A high factor sun |
| last a weekend, although holiday sailing courses can | | | | cream |
| be up to 2 weeks. | | | | Whatever adventure you're looking for, sailing can |
| You'll find sailing centres anywhere on the coast of | | | | offer it. Now you know where to start, just go |
| the UK, but the heart of sailing has to be the | | | | ahead and do it! We can assure you, you'll never look |
| Southampton coast. With its many harbours and | | | | back. |
| exciting sailing around the Isle of Wight, it's an | | | | |