a few question re learning to sail

Hi gary

Assuming you've never sailed before you have 2 options

Take an RYA course, you are aiming for level 2 (or the irish equivalent) or find someone at the club to crew for/teach you.

Your club may well run training courses.

Normally you have to join but some clubs have alternative arrangements (like day sailing etc).  I would not recommend sailing without safety cover if your experience is limited (although you also can't always rely on volunteer safety boat crews).

What to wear - if only sailing in the summer then you should get away with a cheapish wetsuit.  You will need a good spray top though, specialist are best but you can get away with an anorak (but cut off all toggles and string that might catch)  you need something warm on your feet - wetsuit boots or plimsols possibly with thermal socks.  I definately wouldn't recommend bare feet. Don't forget buoyancy aids for everyone, think comfort rather than cheap you don't save much and manouverability in the water is really difficult with some buoyancy aids.

If you have sailing club (that sails dinghies near by) your best bet is to go and have a chat with the members, you'll get generally good advice. Also second hand gear especially for children. 

Expect to get wet from time to time, capsizing is a normal part of sailing.  Having said that the GP is a great boat and of the more stable variety.

wetsuit keeps you warm by trapping a layer of water, which warms up next to your body.  Dry suit, cost much more and keeps you totally dry (except for persperation).  shorts and t shirt seems like a good idea when sunny until you fall in.  Do not wear wellies, jeans and avoid cotton (synthetic jumpers are actually pretty warm if a close fit.

Sailing with kids, depending on age - make sure the're warm, keep sessions short, remember toilet breaks (esp for girls).  should always be fun (no stressy parents even if you are having a disaster).

Alternative which might be cheaper get them to learn through club / school ... and then they teach you.

Hope there are some useful ideas there, have fun.  If you pm your email address I will send back the information I send to parents at BCYC.

check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRRWZ-vPie0 to see Rich and me racing the lark.

Garry

Thankyou all  fro the info,  i'll have a chat to the dinghy guys at the locala yacht club and see what they advise.

thanks Gary

I know at warsash when starting in oppies the "kippers" are allowed to borrow club boats for the first 2 years and then have to provide their own boats, this is good because it filters out the people who arent taking it seriously so the standard of youth sailing remains high, but the volume of sailors may take a hit which is a slight negative side.  Doesnt stop them sailing forever but they would need their own oppy to sail in kippers after 2 years. Then the choice comes to stay in oppies and join the flotilla and start racing on the circuit or to change boats and sail in cadets, they dont race so much but there are some who do.

I did kippers and sailed oppies in the flotilla which for me was the best option but may go and sail with cadets in the 700 because it offers free safety cover