Why You Should Get into Sailing Now: A Beginner’s Guide

In this blog, we’ll reveal why now is a great time to get into sailing, as well as our top tips for getting started.

Sailing can be extraordinary for the mind, body, and soul. It’s an excellent way to get active whilst experiencing the tranquillity and freedom on the water. Whether you’re cruising along, exploring places you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see or just having a fun afloat.

We have been encouraged to spend time outdoors and exercise as often as you wish, as long as you are following social distancing guidelines. With sailing, you can combine home comforts with stunning beaches and scenery, whilst also staying as far away as possible from anyone else. Want to go into a quieter surrounding? Simply drop off the mooring lines and head to a more serene and exciting location. Swimming pool is closed? On a yacht you can jump from bed to sea any time of the day, without a crowd nearby.

Plus, if you’re already a huge fan of being on the water, you can store equipment such as stand up paddle boards, kayaks, fishing gear and more on board.

You don’t need to be fit or able-bodied to participate in sailing, and you don’t even need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be comfortable with being in the water in a buoyancy aid.

Are you inspired to try sailing? Here are some of our top tips if you’re new to sailing and want to get started:

Undertaking sailing courses is a great way to build confidence and gain the qualifications you need to keep you and your family safe on board. Whilst it may be a little too soon to spend time on the water with an experienced instructor, there are plenty of online resources and courses to dive into.
Learn the lingo. Sailing has its own glossary of terms that you’ll need to know. You’ll hear nautical terms like port, starboard, leeward, tacking and gybing (to name a few!). Get familiar with these terms before setting foot on a yacht and you’ll have a clear method of communicating that helps you manoeuvre a yacht around the world’s most beautiful sailing areas.
Learn the parts of a sailing boat. This will help you to know what to touch, look at or do when directed by the instructor in your first class.
Download the Sunsail Sailing School app. It provides at-a-glance information to help all boaters learn how to identify other vessels and the activities they are engaged in, day or night. The app clarifies which vessels have priority, with explanatory graphics and captions, in addition to the complete rules.
Watch sailing videos online for free. Instructional videos on YouTube or other channels will help you connect the terminology with the reality. The first day on a sailboat can be overwhelming so the more you know beforehand, the smoother it will be.

There is no time like the present to get into sailing, and the help is out there to get you on the right course.

Stay alert, stay safe

– The Sunsail Team

Author Name:

Selina Bessey