Why Sailing?

There are plenty of ways to spend your leisure time, so what makes sailing so special? The answer lies in the variety it has to offer.

There is one thing sailing isn’t short of, and that’s stereotypes. For many people who have never had contact with the sport their first thought is of luxury yachts, millionaires and lots of glamour. The reality is very different. The types of sailing you can get involved in are many and varied, and so are its participants. They can range from eight to 80 years old (and younger, or older), from the very fit athlete, to those slightly less fit who sail for fun, or the disabled sailor, from beginner to expert, keen racer to laid back cruiser and every shade in between.

It is this variety which means for many sailing becomes a sport for life, as during different stages in your life you may dip in and out of different areas depending on your circumstances. You might start as a child, sailing at a small local club, perhaps crewing for a friend or a parent. Perhaps you progress to helming on your own, then at university maybe join the sailing club and get involved in team racing. Your first pay packet might lead you to buy your first boat, and you might start travelling to events around the country. You may have a family and simply sail on holiday, or have a small dinghy that you hitch up behind the car and take away for a weekend now and again, or sail locally. It is a sport that can cater for a huge range of interests, tastes and budgets.

Sailing is also one of the few sports that can truly be enjoyed by the whole family, from youngest child to grandparents, and it’s a great sport for parents to enjoy with children, whether it be sailing together in a doublehanded dinghy, in singlehanded dinghies, or as a larger group on a yacht.

Sailing on a budget

One of the sport’s biggest myths is its expense. Yes, you can spend lots on a luxury yacht, but a second-hand dinghy and sailing club membership can be very inexpensive indeed.  While some specific items of clothing will add to your comfort and enjoyment, the list of essentials is pretty small and there are a host of budget kit manufacturers as well as the big brand names — you can even buy wetsuits in a number of supermarkets nowadays!

Meet new people

The social side of the sport is another one of its strengths. By joining a sailing club you can meet a range of people from all walks of life. Most clubs have youth sections and there are a lot of events for young sailors, making it a great way to meet new friends. And you don’t have to be close to the sea, a huge number of people sail each weekend on small reservoirs and lakes across the country. Smaller clubs are generally cheaper, and there are plenty to choose from so you can pick one that suits your pocket and your personal taste.