| Clues are all around you ' waves are pushed along by | | | | back on it is 'downwind' - up and down, or 'windward' |
| the wind but it is the ripples on a waters surface that | | | | and 'leeward'. |
| show the direction of the wind. Look for leaves, sand | | | | Anything upwind of you begins with the word |
| or anything that can be blown. Moored boats will swing | | | | 'weather'. Anything downwind of you is prefaced by |
| to point into the wind, unless influenced by currents. | | | | 'lee'. Sailing on the wind means you are in a windward |
| Light shallow boats are the best indicators. When all | | | | direction. Sailing off the wind means you are heading in |
| else fails, face the direction of the wind, turning your | | | | a leeward direction. |
| head slowly from side to side. You'll soon notice the | | | | Different winds - There are two types of winds in |
| sensations on your skin. Practice this technique and it | | | | sailing, true and apparent. A true wind is what you feel |
| will soon become second nature. | | | | when sitting on a moored boat. The wind you feel |
| Direction - Winds are named from the direction they | | | | when moving, is what is called an apparent wind. The |
| blow from. A wind blowing from the north to the south | | | | wind indicators on a boat when it is sailing is apparent |
| is a north wind. But the wind never flows in a steady | | | | wind. You can adjust your sails to the apparent wind |
| direction so you need to keep track of what its doing | | | | but not true. - Forecasts Most sailors will rely on |
| and change your behaviour accordingly. | | | | forecasts from the Met Office. These forecasts are |
| Clues are all around you - waves are pushed along by | | | | broadcast on the radio. Gale warnings are broadcast |
| the wind but it is the ripples on a waters surface that | | | | at the earliest opportunity, and radio 3 and 4 broadcast |
| show the direction of the wind. Look for leaves, sand | | | | inshore waters forecasts. Imminent means within 6 |
| or anything that can be blown. Moored boats will swing | | | | hours and good means visibility over 5 miles. Quickly |
| to point into the wind, unless influenced by currents. | | | | means a barometer dropping up to 6.Omb in 3 hours. |
| Light shallow boats are the best indicators. When all | | | | As wind is so unpredictable and immediate, these |
| else fails, face the direction of the wind, turning your | | | | weather reports should not be relied on 100%. |
| head slowly from side to side. You'll soon notice the | | | | Sailing into the wind - A sail boat cannot sail into the |
| sensations on your skin. Practice this technique and it | | | | wind, but it can get there indirectly. By sailing close to |
| will soon become second nature. | | | | the wind in one direction, and then changing course to |
| Terms - The world of a sailor is divided into two | | | | sail as close to the wind as possible in the other |
| halves: everything toward it and everything away from | | | | direction, you can zig zag to your destination. This is |
| it. Looking into the wind is 'upwind' and turning your | | | | known as 'beating' or 'working to windward'. |