| The ocean air, the constant breeze and the sun | | | | there to help you. Put it on and get familiar with it. |
| glowing down on you are some of the reasons why | | | | Learn how to adjust the jacket properly and make |
| you might take a look at boating as a hobby. | | | | sure it fits correctly. You don't have to put it on right |
| A vessel afloat over millions of gallons of water may | | | | away. You can wait, but if you are further out from |
| not frighten many people, but it probably does frighten | | | | shore and get nervous, then put it on. |
| a few. Being scared usually has something to do with | | | | Some questions you may ask yourself are, "What |
| what size of boat you are on, but most of the time it's | | | | type of boat would I like to be on?" "Do I want to own |
| the water itself that concerns people. The fear of just | | | | one or rent one?" When getting into boating, you have |
| floating on the water, whether it is in or out of a boat, | | | | a few options, not unlike many other hobbies. There |
| is enough to make people say no thanks to boating. | | | | are some important things to consider. If you want to |
| Taking a look at different options when deciding | | | | own a boat, be prepared to look into the maintenance |
| whether or not boating is for you would be a good | | | | of the vessel. Also, storage would be an area to look |
| place to start. | | | | at if you don't have the room for it where you live. |
| First things first. Are you afraid of the water? If the | | | | Renting a boat could be a good option if you don't |
| answer is yes, then boating may not be the right fit for | | | | have time, patience or knowledge to take care of the |
| you. You may have to look at why you have this fear. | | | | boat yourself. |
| Is it fear of drowning, being alone on a boat or being | | | | A sail boat is relaxing, especially if you're not in a rush |
| lost at sea? You can help to eliminate this version of | | | | to go out and come back the same day. You would |
| the phobia by having someone else go with you. | | | | have to watch the weather to make sure it's a good |
| Sometimes the knowledge that you are not alone out | | | | day to do the sailing. An askew wind or rough waters |
| there helps to take some of that anxiety away. If | | | | can take you far from your mark. A motor boat is a |
| something happens to you, they can always help you | | | | little noisier getting you there, but can get you there in |
| or get help from someone else. | | | | less time. It gives you more time to enjoy your |
| If this fear exists because you don't know how to | | | | destination. |
| swim, then perhaps swimming lessons might do the | | | | Once you get where you're going, drop anchor and |
| trick. You could take private lessons, take lessons at a | | | | relax. Don't worry about all the technical terms for the |
| health club or at the "Y." A friend who is an avid | | | | boat or what you're doing with it. If learning is what you |
| swimmer can even teach you. Basically, if you learn | | | | want, you'll learn all of it soon enough. As a novice at |
| how to keep your body afloat, you can alleviate much | | | | boating, you will take the opportunity to learn as much |
| of your fear of boating. | | | | as you can with your new venture and find that it can |
| A life jacket is a requirement to have on a boat, no | | | | be fun and very relaxing in the end. So enjoy the |
| matter what type of boat it is. Whichever type of boat | | | | ocean air, the water, the sun on your face and your |
| you decide to be on, keep in mind that the life jacket is | | | | book and welcome to the world of boating. |