| Starting Dinghy Sailing | | | | sailing clubs in your area go visit each one. Ask |
| How many people have been on holiday, seen | | | | yourself |
| people sailing dinghies and thought "Id love to try | | | | What are the members like ? |
| that" ? | | | | Were you given advice ? |
| The best advice to be given to anyone wishing to | | | | Were you made to feel welcome ? |
| start dinghy sailing is to take your time, don't rush | | | | Do they offer any sort of training ? |
| into anything and don't try running before you can | | | | What sort of boats do they sail and at what |
| walk. First thing to do is to read around the | | | | times ? |
| subject and at least gain a basic understanding of | | | | Unfortunately many clubs forget about attracting |
| what is involved in owning and buying a sailing | | | | new members and concentrate solely on racing |
| dinghy. The Internet is an ideal place to do such | | | | without realising everyone has to start |
| research and this will be of great help when you | | | | somewhere. Gone are the days when all sailing |
| start learning to sail. | | | | clubs had waiting lists of people to join. Many clubs |
| We dont recommend you buy a dinghy and try | | | | are now beginning to realise they must actively |
| to learn to sail yourself. Much better to either go | | | | seek new members to maintain numbers and in |
| to a recognised training centre or join a sailing club. | | | | some cases survive. See our sailing clubs list to |
| Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. | | | | find a sailing club in your area. |
| Learning to sail at training centre means that you | | | | Don't rush into buying a boat. Most clubs usually |
| can book lessons to suit yourself and you should | | | | have a few boats which members can use. Take |
| receive professional instruction. The downside is | | | | advantage of this fact until you have more |
| that it can be expensive. In our opinion joining a | | | | knowledge about dinghies and have decided if |
| sailing club is the best way to learn. You will meet | | | | sailing is for you. Also offer your services as a |
| a variety of boat owners, get advice on the | | | | crew for members with double handed boats. |
| different types of dinghies available etc. You will | | | | When you eventually get to the stage of buying a |
| almost certainly have the opportunity to crew for | | | | boat you should have a good idea about what |
| members which is an excellent way of gaining | | | | you should be looking for. It's easy to waste |
| experience. Many dinghy sailing clubs are focussed | | | | money buying a boat that may be unsuitable. |
| on racing. Dont let this put you off. Although it | | | | Your local club is an excellent place to buy a boat |
| may not seem appealing to a beginner, dinghy | | | | as people constantly trade up. The best thing |
| racing is an excellent way of improving your sailing | | | | about buying a boat from your own club is that |
| techniques. | | | | often people will know its history, its faults etc. |
| If you are lucky enough to have a choice of | | | | |