DISCOVER SAILING

2021 is marked as the year of the staycation and with the easing of restrictions and outdoor sports restarting, there has ne er been a better time to find your local sailing enue get out on the water and isco erSailing.

Taking a course is a great way to get started

Sailing clubs are now welcoming their communities to get back out on the water, with many offering activities aimed to help those who have been off the water for a while and those who may be new to the sport.

“After a long winter in lockdown we know people are keen to spend time outdoors with their friends and family, whilst taking advantage of both the physical and mental health benefits associated with being on the water. In 2020 approximately 21,000 people joined their local sailing club, which is fantastic considering the limitations that many venues were facing,” explains Rob Clark, RYA director of sport development.

For those interested in finding out more about what a local club has to offer, look out for two great RYA campaigns this summer.

If you have been away from sailing for a long time, why not try one of the ReDiscover Sailing sessions? Since April, RYA affiliated clubs have been running sessions aimed at reintroducing past sailors back to boating and helping everyone to make the most of 2021.

Some clubs are also taking part in #DiscoverSailing, which will reach out to new would-be sailors and windsurfers through low cost or free open days and taster sessions.

“Clubs are offering their customers and members a diversity of ways to get out on the water,” Rob continues. “And with activities ranging from stand up paddleboarding and open water swimming to windsurfing and sailing, they are becoming attractive destinations for families and people of all ages, during the week as well as at weekends.”

Many clubs offer activities for the whole family and they often have a fantastic social scene and provide great opportunities to practice your skills with other sailors as crew. people on its waiting list and around three enquiries a day when lockdown three came to an end.

Manager Phil Reeves explains: “We are at Edgbaston Reservoir, which you can bike or run around, and it is a nature reserve as well, so it is a good place in the city to get away from it all.”

With activities including RYA junior and adult courses, sailing, windsurfing, Sailability, Women on the Water and holiday clubs, Phil adds that alongside an already packed schedule there has been growing interest resulting from changing work-life trends during the pandemic.

“A lot of people are benefiting from flexible home working now and asking if they can work from here with a coffee and get out paddleboarding for a couple of hours.”

St Edmundsbury Sailing and Canoeing in Suffolk is also expecting a busy 2021 season following increased demand in start sailing courses, kayaking and also paddling.

SESCA commodore Norman Savigar says: “We have purchased four more kayaks, six children’s Optimists dinghies, two paddleboards and have a training programme ready for anyone who wants to learn at the club this summer. You do not need to have your own dinghy or kayak to sail or paddle, and we have a large fleet of boats available for hire for our members.” Take a course If you are new to sailing taking a sailing course locally or on holiday is a really effective and quick way to pick up some skills and get started. If you already have some experience you might like to develop your skills further or even try a different activity.

There are more than 100 RYA courses and over 1,000 RYA Recognised Training Centres across the country plus 70 abroad, including with holiday providers such as RYA member partners Nielson, Rockley Watersports and Sunsail.

Available courses include:

Sail Cruising: Including Start Yachting, Day Skipper, Coastal Skipper, Competent Crew and Navigation.

Powerboat: Popular Level 1 & 2 certificates and options for children, plus Intermediate and Advanced, Safety Boat and Tender Operator.

Inland Waterways: For extra confidence and safety on boating holidays, building skills for more enjoyable helming or crewing.

Motor Cruising: Courses for all from beginner to advanced, including Start Motor Cruising, Helmsman, Day Skipper Motor, Navigation and Advanced Pilotage.

Dinghy Sailing & Windsurfing: Lots of courses for all ages and skill levels from beginner to racing skills to taking off with foiling!

Personal Watercraft: Whether you just

Sailing clubs around the country are welcoming back members - new and old

A number of Dinghy Trails are available, ideal for the perfect day out want to have a go on holiday or buy your own machine, this proficiency course for first-time and experienced riders alike will teach you how to get the best from PWs and stay safe.

Navigation, Seamanship & Specialist Courses: Develop pilotage, passage planning and meteorology skills or knowledge on topics such as first aid, marine radio and diesel engines.

Sense of adventure If you want to step into the slow lane or inspire your children with an ‘adventure’ this summer, do not miss the downloadable #DinghyTrails, which provide lots of ideas for getting started with day trips in sheltered waters across the UK.

There are currently guides for Brownsea Island in Dorset, Great Cumbrae in Scotland, Rutland Water in the Midlands, Hickling Broad in the East, Milford Haven Waterway in Wales and Ullswater in the Lake District, with more to follow.

Each trail comes with its own map and instructions including distance, safety, sailing times and launch sites. They are also packed with information, details of navigation or anchorage, who-knew-that facts, insider visits, wildlife spotting and stellar views plus best picnic spots. Some even link to the national curriculum.

“This is a fantastic low-cost way of using your dinghy with family and friends whilst exploring our beautiful coastline and inland waters. Dinghies are not just about racing; it is about discovering the great outdoors,” explains RYA programmes manager Michelle Gent.

The #DinghyTrails can be downloaded at www.rya.org.uk/go/dinghytrails.

So, whether it is splashing around and having fun at your club, learning new skills or exploring the UK in a dinghy, there are plenty of opportunities to spend summer 2021 on the water.

If you are interested in getting afloat locally this summer, get in touch with your nearest sailing venue and find out what they have to offer by visiting www.rya.org.uk/wheresmynearest. To find a Discover Sailing taster session in your area www.rya.org.uk/discoversailing.

“With activities ranging from stand up paddleboarding and opening water swimming to windsurfing and sailing, clubs are becoming attractive destinations for families and people of all ages, during the week as well as at weekends.”

The RYA covers all forms of boating, including dinghy and yacht racing, motor and sail cruising, RI s and s orts boats, windsurfing, inland cruising and narrowboats and personal watercraft.