| For an exhilarating sailing experience which is easy | | | | are ready - on holiday for instance. |
| to begin and full of fun, there is no better way to | | | | Learning to Sail on Holiday |
| enter the sport than with dinghy sailing. | | | | Learning to sail a dinghy on holiday is a great way |
| Where to Start | | | | to enter the world of sailing. With better weather |
| You'll find many dinghy sailing clubs around the | | | | and time on your side, you'll feel more relaxed |
| lakes and rivers of the UK coast. Always keen to | | | | and possibly learn to sail much faster. With |
| take on new members, especially families, you'll | | | | warmer waters you'll almost certainly feel more |
| find them welcoming and friendly. | | | | confident when you capsize the dinghy. |
| Cost | | | | Inshore Lakes or Costal Waters |
| Fees vary depending on the level of facilities, but | | | | Dinghy sailing on an inshore lake is generally |
| a good club will cost around £150 per year for a | | | | considered safer. You'll be sailing within easy |
| family and may include a dinghy parking place. | | | | distance of a rescue boat, making it popular with |
| Individuals joining on their own will expect to pay | | | | families. It's also easier to lean this way. Without |
| around £50 per year. There are no fees to use | | | | the distraction of the tide and avoiding other |
| the water but you will need insurance. This should | | | | craft, you'll feel more comfortable able to |
| cost a further £50. | | | | concentrate fully on your sailing. With stronger |
| Equipment | | | | winds and greater challenges, coastal sailing is for |
| There are two vital pieces of equipment that you | | | | the more experienced dinghy sailor. |
| will need. A buoyancy aid or life jacket and a pair | | | | Start Racing |
| of non-slip shoes. Trainers are fine to begin with | | | | It won't be long before you feel ready to start |
| but they offer no protection from the water. | | | | racing and most clubs run novice courses. Boats |
| You'll also need to invest in a good waterproof | | | | designed for one or two people, and even high |
| jacket in the summer and a wetsuit for the | | | | performance dinghies with a crew, can be raced |
| winter months. Wearing layers of clothing is | | | | without any official qualification. You will, however, |
| always advisable. | | | | need to learn to handle the dinghy and have a |
| Buying a Dinghy | | | | good grasp of the basics for your own safety. |
| Some clubs will lend you a boat and a sailing | | | | Cruising |
| centre will provide a boat as part of a course. It's | | | | There is the option to cruise rather than race and |
| a good idea not to rush in and buy a dinghy | | | | there are clubs for people who simply wish to sail |
| straight away. It's best to start with a used | | | | with others and discover new waters. Smaller |
| dinghy while you're new to sailing. Beginners to the | | | | boats for cruising are slightly different in that they |
| sport will normally start with an older boat and | | | | are not designed for speed but for comfort. This |
| after a few months, when you're sure you want | | | | means they handle easily in all weathers and are |
| to continue, you can upgrade to something to a | | | | safer when away from shore with no rescue |
| newer boat. | | | | boat. Larger and heaver dinghies are known as |
| Types of Dinghy | | | | day boats. You will also need to complete a |
| - Car portable such as Toppers. - Fixed keel | | | | course for cruising and have a good understanding |
| dinghies. - Performance dinghies such as | | | | of the basics. |
| Catamarans. - One person dinghies like the One | | | | Buying a Dinghy |
| Man Lasers. - Two person such as Fireballs. - | | | | Before you buy a dinghy you must bear in mind |
| Family dinghies like Wayfarers. | | | | that your requirements will change as your sailing |
| Courses | | | | develops. You should also consider whether you |
| Dinghy sailing is always taught by RYA qualified | | | | want to sail alone or with a crew, if it needs to be |
| instructors starting with beginners courses. | | | | portable and if you need a faster performance |
| Courses are designed so that the skills you learn | | | | boat more or one more suitable for cruising. |
| in one boat are transferable to the next. And you | | | | Newer, high performance boats will come at a |
| can complete courses in stages, so you can finish | | | | higher price but there are bargains to be had with |
| one section and continue with the next when you | | | | older boats. |