| Sailing is a hobby and a recreational pursuit that can | | | | not knowing one end of the boat from another but |
| last a lifetime. It's something that anyone of any age, | | | | after five days and nights you will be a useful, |
| ability, and either gender can take up. It's one of those | | | | competent person on a boat rather than a few |
| leisure activities that really are open to everyone. | | | | hundred pounds of ballast! |
| Learning to sail not only brings a sense of personal | | | | As well as the enjoyment of the week long |
| achievement and fulfillment but also opens up a whole | | | | experience and the sense of achievement at the end |
| new area in your social life and can lead to lifelong | | | | of it you will also meet a group of people of various |
| friendships. | | | | ages and different walks of life. Competent Crew |
| Sailing is such huge topic that it would be impossible to | | | | courses usually take place on a 36 foot yacht with a |
| cover all the bases in one article. From small dinghy | | | | skipper in charge of 4-6 people who are new to sailing. |
| sailing on inland lakes and reservoirs to ocean sailing in | | | | You might make new friends among these fellow |
| multi million pound yachts and modern three-masted tall | | | | crew members with whom you will later sail on other |
| ships, there is a whole world of sailing to experience, to | | | | courses or on recreational voyages around your local |
| write and to talk about. | | | | coastal area. |
| Many people learn to sail on small yachts based at a | | | | Having obtained Competent Crew certification you |
| local marina. They will literally 'learn the ropes' under the | | | | could join a sailing club and by using your natural charm |
| watchful eye of a sailing instructor working for a sailing | | | | and friendly nature you will be offered opportunities to |
| club or school. Let's assume that you intend to learn | | | | crew on all kinds of excursions and in a variety of |
| enough about sailing so that you can form part of the | | | | weather conditions. It's important to gain as much |
| crew for a day's sailing and in order to take part in | | | | varied experience as possible as it will not only |
| sailing weekends on coastal waters. | | | | broaden your skills but also make you a safer and |
| As with most things in life it pays to do a little research | | | | more competent crew member. |
| before you part with any hard earned money. Spend | | | | Following on from the Competent Crew certificate you |
| some time searching online for the sailing schools | | | | could book a week long course to obtain a Day |
| nearest to you and when you've created as short list | | | | Skipper certificate. In order to do so you will need to |
| take a drive out to them and have a look around. | | | | have completed five days, 100 miles and four night |
| Does the description on the website match what you | | | | hours aboard a yacht, sot he Competent Crew course |
| see during your visit? Are the boats well kept and | | | | is the ideal prerequisite. The Day Skipper course will |
| clean? Are the staff friendly, professional, and eager | | | | expand on the basic knowledge you possess and will |
| to show you around? | | | | take you deeper into the areas of navigation, |
| It's easier to make your choice of school if you know | | | | meteorology, pilotage, rules of the sea, engines, yachts |
| someone who sails and who can give you the benefit | | | | under power, yachts under sail, and night cruising. |
| of their advice but that's not always an option for | | | | Again, this course will bring you into contact with |
| everyone. If you're new to sailing and want to not only | | | | several other sailors and once completed you will be a |
| learn to sail but expand your social life then you'll | | | | safer and more skilled sailor who can then take |
| probably be reliant upon your own judgment for a | | | | advantage of more opportunities in your sailing club. |
| choice of sailing school. | | | | You can crew with confidence and look forward to |
| In the UK and many other places around the world | | | | the day when you can wear a skipper's cap when |
| there are sailing schools that are endorsed by the | | | | you are in sole charge of a vessel and its crew and |
| RYA (Royal Yachting Association) so by learning to | | | | passengers. |
| sail at one of these schools you can obtain RYA | | | | Sailing often attracts single sailors who like to spend |
| certification and qualifications. Having made your choice | | | | time a alone and those who have a passion for the |
| you'll need to book some time off work in which to | | | | sea and all things nautical. They may be so in love with |
| embark on your first course. | | | | life on the water that they can only form lasting |
| Your first objective will be to gain your Competent | | | | friendships and romances with someone who feels |
| Crew certificate. This can be covered in three | | | | the same way. If you find that you empathise with |
| weekends but there are distinct advantages to taking | | | | such a person then learning to sail might put you in |
| a week off work and covering the course in five | | | | touch with someone who later becomes more than |
| consecutive days. You'll benefit from the intensity and | | | | just a sailing buddy. |
| the continuity of the training. You might start the week | | | | |