Starting a new hobby can be daunting, finding someone to talk to about it, somewhere to try it out and generally just getting your foot in. It may look impressive watching sailors out on the water, but when they're talking in riddles in the pub you may feel a bit intimidated and shy and decide you will approach them another day, maybe when they are less talkative, less drunk. Or maybe never!

 

But don't worry, there is a way to start out. To be more exact there are several ways, an infinite amount of ways and therefore there is a way for you! It really depends on what kind of person you are! 

 

There are many different types of sailing, but in the beginning you just need to decide on one of two things: Dinghy or Yacht? There are benefits for both, however in my personal opinion, learning to sail in a dinghy has the best effects. Dinghies are less stable and less forgiving than yachts. This may sound bad for starting, but if you learn to sail in a dinghy, you will get a much better feel of the elements; the direction and strength of the wind, the height of the waves and more importantly your own limits. But it is possible to learn to sail on a yacht so if all you want to do is potter around with your family on a sunny day don't feel scared to start on a yacht!

 

Let's start with the tried and tested method of going to your local sailing club. Many started sailing this way and it really is the quickest way to get out and about on a boat without having to pay a fortune. There are clubs for dinghy sailing, yacht sailing and some clubs even do both. Most sailing clubs have regular training sessions, sometimes during the week, sometimes at the weekend. Find out where your local sailing club is and find out when their training session is. Then go there! Meet people and tell them you are keen on learning how to sail. In the majority of clubs you will be welcomed in, shown around and maybe even taken out on a boat if you so wish! If you do encounter a cold shoulder, get told they don't have time or to come back later be honest with yourself. Is this really a club you want to be part of? Many clubs will hate hearing this, but not every club welcomes new people in with open arms. If this is the case move on, maybe travel a bit farther but find a club where you feel comfortable as soon as you get there. Clubs are great ways to start sailing, once you've found a club you feel comfortable in you can learn how to sail quickly and cheaply. With fairly low annual membership fees, most clubs have their own fleets of boats which can be hired for a very low cost per day. Or you may find a club member who needs crew and is willing to teach you.

 

An RYA approved club will offer sailing courses, aimed at teaching newcomers how to sail in a structured and understandable way. This will give you the opportunity to learn to sail without joining the club. You will have to pay the course fees, but you will learn to sail while getting to know people within the club. Once finished you can join the club as a member, or go it alone and get your own boat.

 

The next way is for introverts, people who are shy of being amongst people and don't have the nerves to approach unknown people and confess to not knowing anything at all about what seems to be their life and breath. This way requires much more dedication, patience and commitment than going to a sailing club every week. But if you think you have it in yourself to sit down and learn on your own go ahead. Again, there will be people out there who say you can't learn to sail this way, but I know plenty of people who prove you can. So what does this method involve? Well, it involves reading books on sailing as well as watching videos and reading forums online. Some people even go as far as to purchase a sailing simulator to be able to get a vague understanding of wind direction and which angles can be sailed as well as what angle the sail has to be at when sailing different courses. There are many vidoes on youtube teaching you how to sail, and even more good books which have good diagrams and pictures so you can pick up the basics. Here I hear many readers cry out in dismay: " you can't learn to sail without stepping foot on a boat!!!" and they are right. 

Here you need to decide what step you want to take as there are two feasible options. With your newly found knowledge you can go to a sailing club and can show people there what you have learnt. Another option is to go out and buy your own boat. Small dinghies can be picked up from a few hundred pounds. There is a whole section on this page dedicated to explaining what a good boat needs to look like so be sure to check that out. If you go down the ownership route be sure to start slowly, go out for the first time on a calm, sunny and warm day, preferably in the vicinity of other boats. That way you will be able to get a feel for your boat and if things do go wrong, the chances of actually getting into serious trouble is slimmer. In the lessons section I will try and establish what lessons you need to learn to sail successfully and also offer hints and tips. 

 

The fourth option is one some people will not be able to take advantage of. If you have a friend or family member who can sail, ask them to teach you! If they are passionate about sailing and want to share their knowledge, they will be calm and patient and best of all, it is (or should be!) free.

 

Of course, the best option is a mix of everything! Learn the basics from books and videos, then go and put those lessons into practice at a club or with a friend. And don't forget, even the best sailors don't know everything! If you go out thinking you have seen everything and know what to do in every imaginable situation, that is when nature will flick the switch and put you in a situation you have never been in and hence don't know how to react. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best and always be prepeared to learn more skills and lessons.