Learning something new, such as sailing, is always an exciting prospect. When you are positively motivated, it’s easier to learn and master the new skills needed to learn how to sail.
However, excitement and positivity won’t get you far if you don’t have the correct teachers and mentors. That’s why it’s important to find a sailing school in Sydney that meets your needs in order to make your first experience of learning to sail a positive one.
If you’re planning to learn to sail, Sydney would-be sailors should always bear the following in mind.
Make Safety Your Number One Priority
Safety is always your number one priority, whether you’re out on the water under the tutelage of a sailing instructor or you’ve chartered a yacht with sailing friends. It’s imperative that before you head out to sea that you can swim.
You should also wear the correct buoyancy aid for your frame and size, just in case you do happen to end up overboard.
You’ll also find that when you sign up for any sailing courses Sydney wide, you’ll be advised about the protocol of always informing someone that you are out on the water, together with your expected time of return.
Understand Weather and Wind Conditions
As part of your sailing lessons, Sydney sailing instructors will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to understand the local weather conditions.
Not being able to handle changes in wind direction or weather is the number one cause of new sailors getting into difficulties. Being proficient in understanding and assessing the weather will make you a much better and safer sailor.
Don’t Run Before You Can Walk
When you first start out on your sailing journey, you need to be on calm waters, with a relatively light wind. It also helps if there are not many other vessels around.
Don’t try to run before you can walk. Learn to sail in a small dinghy with one sail and then you will be able to progress your skills once you gain confidence.
Learn How to Get the Best from Your Sail
Learning how to fine tune and adjust your sail to take advantage of the current wind conditions is vitally important. Your tutors should teach you about the ‘fullness’ and correct shape of the sail, but they should also teach you how to respect the boom.
Being aware of where the boom is and ensuring that all other crew members know where it is too will eventually come naturally, but until it does, you’ll need to keep a close eye on it to avoid a nasty bump on the head.
The Bottom Line
While you can teach yourself to sail, you’ll learn more quickly by enrolling with a local sailing school where you’ll get professional instruction combined with the experience that comes with hours of being on the water.
However, excitement and positivity won’t get you far if you don’t have the correct teachers and mentors. That’s why it’s important to find a sailing school in Sydney that meets your needs in order to make your first experience of learning to sail a positive one.
If you’re planning to learn to sail, Sydney would-be sailors should always bear the following in mind.
Make Safety Your Number One Priority
Safety is always your number one priority, whether you’re out on the water under the tutelage of a sailing instructor or you’ve chartered a yacht with sailing friends. It’s imperative that before you head out to sea that you can swim.
You should also wear the correct buoyancy aid for your frame and size, just in case you do happen to end up overboard.
You’ll also find that when you sign up for any sailing courses Sydney wide, you’ll be advised about the protocol of always informing someone that you are out on the water, together with your expected time of return.
Understand Weather and Wind Conditions
As part of your sailing lessons, Sydney sailing instructors will give you all the knowledge and skills you need to understand the local weather conditions.
Not being able to handle changes in wind direction or weather is the number one cause of new sailors getting into difficulties. Being proficient in understanding and assessing the weather will make you a much better and safer sailor.
Don’t Run Before You Can Walk
When you first start out on your sailing journey, you need to be on calm waters, with a relatively light wind. It also helps if there are not many other vessels around.
Don’t try to run before you can walk. Learn to sail in a small dinghy with one sail and then you will be able to progress your skills once you gain confidence.
Learn How to Get the Best from Your Sail
Learning how to fine tune and adjust your sail to take advantage of the current wind conditions is vitally important. Your tutors should teach you about the ‘fullness’ and correct shape of the sail, but they should also teach you how to respect the boom.
Being aware of where the boom is and ensuring that all other crew members know where it is too will eventually come naturally, but until it does, you’ll need to keep a close eye on it to avoid a nasty bump on the head.
The Bottom Line
While you can teach yourself to sail, you’ll learn more quickly by enrolling with a local sailing school where you’ll get professional instruction combined with the experience that comes with hours of being on the water.
