Learning to sail is easier than you think! Thanks to recent advances in the design/construction of dinghies, novices can expect to be sailing within hours!

You'll be amazed how quickly you can progress from landlubber to confident seafarer Most beginners are taught to sail in singlehanded dinghies (designed to be sailed by one person) at a Royal Yachting Association recognised sailing school. These schools (see the back of this special supplement) are located on the sea and on lakes, rivers and reservoirs all over the country. There's bound to be one near you. Most specialist marine holiday operators (Sunsail, Minorca, Sail France, Wildwind, Sun World, Unlimited etc) are also overseen by the RYA, so you can even learn to sail while on holiday... it's got to beat lying on the beach all day!

This is the third year that Y&Y has published a Learn to Sail supplement. In 1995 the focus was on learning in two-handed dinghies and last year we looked at learning to sail bigger boats at Sea Schools. This year we wanted to do something different, and as most beginners now have their first lesson in a singlehander this seems like the ideal place to start. But, before you turn the page, there are a few things you should know principally about the British sailing schools set-up: as the national authority (governing body) for sailing, the RYA administers the National Dinghy Certification Scheme which steers beginners through a Five Level scheme:

• Level 1 Start Sailing - A brief taste of the sport.
• Level 2 Basic Skills - Includes righting a capsized singlehander and basic manoeuvres
• Level 3 Improving Techniques - Concentrating on improving techniques and learning new skills such as reefing afloat.
• Level 4 Racing Techniques - What you'll need to know to be able to join in a race at a local sailing club.
• Level 5 Advanced Skills - Sailing spinnaker and trapeze boats.

Learning at an RYA school is, in the opinion of Y&Y extremely important. All RYA schools and centres are subject to spot inspection (to ensure a high standard of instruction and equipment) and the beginner knows that, if he or she is successful, their certificate will be internationally recognised, allowing the sailor to hire a dinghy while on holiday.

To find out where your nearest RYA-recognised school is located, write to: the RYA Training Division, RYA House, Romsey Road, Eastleigh, Hants SOSO 9YA. Tel: 023 8062 9962.

Shirley Robertson is one of the world's best known singlehanded dinghy sailors. As Britain's Europe class representative in the last three Olympics - finishing ninth and fourth and winning the Gold in Sydney. As a fairly frequent contributor to Yachts & Yachting magazine (she's penned technique articles and tested dinghies), we believe Shirley is ideally placed to demonstrate the most important singlehanded dinghy sailing manoeuvres. Although most people taking up sailing will do so through the Royal Yachting Association school network we think our free supplement should help the newcomer understand launching, tacking, gybing and much more. A full sailing school course will give the beginner much more information than we can cover in this supplement (including safety advice, basic 'rules of the road', capsize drill etc) but these photo sequences will help the beginner get an initial feel for the sport.

Finally in case you're not already convinced that dinghy sailing is for you, we'd like to say that sailing is a tremendous sport - healthy athletic (though not back-breaking!), sociable, affordable and as competitive as you wish to make it. There's never been a better time to take up sailing. We hope this shot-by-shot guide whets your appetite...

On the beach Don't worry about wearing 'all the right kit'. As long as you are warm enough, water resistant and wear a life jacket / bouyancy aid you should be fine. Remember it is cooler on the water than on land. If you learn at a sailing school they will normally have personal equipment you can use. Be aware of which direction the wind is coming from relative to the beach. Look for flags to help you.

Getting from Land to Water - Launching into the wind
	Walk into the water holding the front of the boat. Always keeping it pointing into the wind.
	Put the centreboard in a little bit so it is ready to push down when you sail in to deeper water.
	Hold the steering stick (tiller). Make sure you have enough rudder down as you can without hitting the ground.
	Just step aboard and you're off. As soon as there is enough water put both the centreboard and the rudder all the way down.

Getting from Land to Water - With the wind blowing away from the shore
	Walk into the water keeping the front of the boat pointing towards where the wind is coming from.
	Put the centreboard and rudder in the water as much as you can. Let the rope (main sheet) out so the sail is free to go out as much as it wants.
	Turn the boat slightly away from the beach, jump in and steer.
	When there is enough water put the centreboard and rudder down, and pull in the rope until the sail stops flapping.

Steering
	Push the stick away from you and the front of the boat will point closer to the wind.
	Pull the stick towards you and the front of the boat will go away from the wind.
	Your boat will sail in any direction except when it is pointing into the wind.

Going faster / slower
	The rope (main sheet) is your accelerator and brake. When the rope is out and the sail is flapping you will go slowly, when you pull it and the sail stops flapping you will go faster. When you want to stop just let the rope go out and push the stick away from you.
	The best way to pull the rope in is to use both your stick hand and your rope hand without letting go of the stick.

Turning round - Tacking
	Push the tiller away from you.
	Duck your head as the boom comes into the middle of the boat.
	As the sail crosses to the other side change sides and sit down and steer in the new direction.
	The stick and rope will now be in the wrong hands.
	Swap hands by bringing the rope hand (with rope) to the stick.

Heeling
	You should use your body weight to keep the boat flat.
	If you don't balance the boat it will heel and be hard to steer.
	If you are over keen to flatten the boat you will get a wet bottom and it will be harder to steer.

Where to sit
	Sit where it "feels" right.
	If you sit too far forward the front of the boat digs into the water and steering becomes tricky...
	Sitting too far back and the back of the boat digs in and you go slowly.

Turning round with the wind from behind - Gybing
	Pull some rope in so it is not all the way out.
	Pull the tiller towards you.
	When you see the sail coming across swap sides and put the stick back in the middle.
	Sit down and sort out your hands. The rope in the front hand and the stick in the back hand.

Recovering from a capsize Part of the fun of sailing (especially when it's warm...)
	As long as you stay with the boat you are very safe. If you need a rest just sit on the hull.
	Stand on the side of the boat and hold onto the centreboard.
	Pull down on the centreboard.
	Climb in and get ready to start again.

Getting back on dry land
	Lift your centreboard up a bit before you get to the beach.
	When the water is shallow enough to get out turn the boat towards the wind, get out and keep the boat into the wind.
	Take the centreboard fully out and lift the rudder.
	Pull the boat onto the beach or onto its trolley if you have one.

Preparing the boat When you are with an instructor they will usually make sure that the boat is ready to go. After the initial few lessons you will have to check your own equipment. It is good to follow the checks below to hopefully avoid any mishaps.
	Check the rudder is on firmly.
	Ensure the draining bung is in place (and that there is no water in the boat).
	Check any hatches are sealed.
	Check you have a centreboard.
	Tie a knot in the end of the rope (main sheet)
	Hook on the rope between the mast and boom (kicking strap).