While there are many opportunities to learn to sail in Sydney with experienced instructors who have the knowledge to teach you everything you need to know, it does pay to be prepared before you start your lessons. Therefore, before you sign up for a sailing course, here are ten things you should take into consideration.
Learn Basic Sailing Terms
Read up on the basic sailing terms before you start your lessons. You’ll find that knowing the terms ahead of the game will enable you to absorb the lessons more easily.
Start Out in Calm, Quiet Waters
You’ll find that most sailing courses in Sydney will choose calm, quiet waters to introduce their students to sailing. If a potential school suggests learning to sail in rough, open waters or in crowded areas, you may want to try a different school.
Start Small
While you may dream of skippering large yachts, the best way to learn to sail is by starting small. And by small, we mean in a small dinghy. Not only will you find this easier to manoeuvre and more responsive than larger boats, it will help to build your confidence more quickly.
Always Check Conditions
When you learn to sail, you’ll be taught how to read the weather and you’ll soon become a dab-hand at religiously checking weather conditions, the tides and the wind speed and direction before you venture on the water.
Invest in the Right Gear and Equipment
Every sailor should have suitable, reliable clothing and equipment for the sailing conditions. Never set foot aboard without it.
Learn How to Capsize
While nobody wants to end up in the water while they’re sailing, except if it’s for a refreshing swim once you’re moored up, you will need to learn and experience what happens when a boat capsizes. It’s far better to experience this in a controlled environment and when you have expert help at hand.
Respect the Boom
Pay close attention to the boom. It has the potential to cause a nasty injury or even knock you overboard.
Safety, Safety, Safety!
We can’t stress it enough. Safety always comes first when you are sailing, so always inform people on land where you are going and always wear a buoyancy aid. And always ensure that you’re a confident swimmer before learning to sail!
Learn the Rules
Just like driving, there are rules about rights-of-way on the water to ensure that boats have minimal chance of colliding. Your instructor will ensure you don’t fall foul of the rules, but you’ll need to get familiar with them pretty quickly.
Always Be Aware of Where You are Going
We know there are a hundred and one things to take into consideration when you’re just starting out, which will become second nature when you’re more experienced, but always remember to maintain a good lookout using both your eyes and your ears. You don’t want to be involved in a collision.
And there you have it: ten things every new sailor needs to know – even before you head out on the water.
Learn Basic Sailing Terms
Read up on the basic sailing terms before you start your lessons. You’ll find that knowing the terms ahead of the game will enable you to absorb the lessons more easily.
Start Out in Calm, Quiet Waters
You’ll find that most sailing courses in Sydney will choose calm, quiet waters to introduce their students to sailing. If a potential school suggests learning to sail in rough, open waters or in crowded areas, you may want to try a different school.
Start Small
While you may dream of skippering large yachts, the best way to learn to sail is by starting small. And by small, we mean in a small dinghy. Not only will you find this easier to manoeuvre and more responsive than larger boats, it will help to build your confidence more quickly.
Always Check Conditions
When you learn to sail, you’ll be taught how to read the weather and you’ll soon become a dab-hand at religiously checking weather conditions, the tides and the wind speed and direction before you venture on the water.
Invest in the Right Gear and Equipment
Every sailor should have suitable, reliable clothing and equipment for the sailing conditions. Never set foot aboard without it.
Learn How to Capsize
While nobody wants to end up in the water while they’re sailing, except if it’s for a refreshing swim once you’re moored up, you will need to learn and experience what happens when a boat capsizes. It’s far better to experience this in a controlled environment and when you have expert help at hand.
Respect the Boom
Pay close attention to the boom. It has the potential to cause a nasty injury or even knock you overboard.
Safety, Safety, Safety!
We can’t stress it enough. Safety always comes first when you are sailing, so always inform people on land where you are going and always wear a buoyancy aid. And always ensure that you’re a confident swimmer before learning to sail!
Learn the Rules
Just like driving, there are rules about rights-of-way on the water to ensure that boats have minimal chance of colliding. Your instructor will ensure you don’t fall foul of the rules, but you’ll need to get familiar with them pretty quickly.
Always Be Aware of Where You are Going
We know there are a hundred and one things to take into consideration when you’re just starting out, which will become second nature when you’re more experienced, but always remember to maintain a good lookout using both your eyes and your ears. You don’t want to be involved in a collision.
And there you have it: ten things every new sailor needs to know – even before you head out on the water.
