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Newbie - where to start? Best beginners way? |
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aitchy
Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
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Topic: Newbie - where to start? Best beginners way? Posted: 28 Sep 20 at 2:49pm |
Hello to everyone,
I am a newbie in sailing and I am searching a guideline on how to start, where to start, and what the best way is to get into it. I am thinking about starting to learn Dinghy sailing next year (in Croatia) and would like to know if there are special regularizations (in the EU) for Dinghy sailing and what I should do in this case? Are there differences from country to country or is it the same in the whole EU? Is a course at a sailing school enough or are there more requisites? Anyways, I can't wait to start sailing for the first time in my life. Actually its years that I am thinking about sailing but never had the time to start. Next year is different and that's also the reason I finally want to start it. Can't wait and hopefully somebody can give me some information and also tell me how you start (and what I maybe should avoid?...anything ;) ).
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 20 at 5:30pm |
The usual route is to join a sailing club close to your home, ideally on with an RYA training centre and take it from there.
If you were in the UK then an RYA recognised training centre would be another option and a quick Google reveals several RYA training centres in Croatia. They seem to be mostly holiday centres but they might be a good place to start asking if you can't find a local club. Good luck. Edited by Sam.Spoons - 28 Sep 20 at 5:32pm |
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 20 at 8:11pm |
There are several ways to start:-
I'd advise you to look at the RYA website for RYA training establishments. All RYA approved centres teach the same syllabus, so a level 1 course should be the same, no matter where you do the course. You can certainly do some preparation - try the RYA "start sailing" book - there are alternatives - it's really to get an idea of parts & names used. Once upon a time in the UK you could start by joining a club and offering to crew in a 2 person dinghy - and then try helming, but the current Covid situation makes this impossible. To keep your enthusiasm, try reading some of the classic books! I'd recommend "Sailing alone around the world" by Joshua Slocum. There's also the biography/autobiography of Arthur Ransome (a good spy story as well). Don't rush to buy a new dinghy - second-hand is perfectly good, just check with the class website for details of potential problems. Colin |
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 28 Sep 20 at 8:13pm |
The situation in the UK is unique. Often in Europe there are council run clubs with training. I have no idea how Croatia works, I'm afraid, but it should be a great place to go sailing!
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Sep 20 at 7:54am |
Sorry, I forgot...
If you're in the EU, you should also be aware that the Brexit agreement (as far as I know), doesn't include mutual recognition of qualifications, so an RYA instructor may not be recognised in Croatia next year. You should also check your local requirements, in Germany one needed a qualification before helming a dinghy (may have changed since I was there), in the UK not. Colin |
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aitchy
Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Oct 20 at 3:10pm |
Thanks a lot to everyone. Yeah the Covid situation now is not the best condition to start, but I hope that next year it will be better and I can start a course without restrictions. If it is really not possible next year, than I will have to wait more...not that what I want, but I will have to accept it. Ok, good. I will search for some sailing clubs in my region.
And meanwhile I was thinking of reading some sailing book...thanks for the advice! :)
Actually I was thinking to buy a second-hand Dinghy. From time to time I search a little bit but as I have enough time to find the one I will not rush :) |
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Sam.Spoons
Really should get out more Joined: 07 Mar 12 Location: Manchester UK Online Status: Offline Posts: 3398 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Oct 20 at 4:05pm |
Depending how big/heavy you are buying a used Laser is a tried and tested way to get started. It's perfectly possible to teach yourself, and actually pretty safe if you can do so under the watchful eyes of a club or training centre*. They will almost certainly have Lasers for rental but a perfectly serviceable Laser can be had for £3-500 in the UK and I guess it won't be that much different in Croatia.
* I wouldn't recommend teaching yourself without some form of safety backup but that's where a club comes in. I have taught myself to sail twice, first when I was 11 in an Optimist watched by my dad and his sailing buddies and, second, I taught myself to windsurf when I was 30.
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 06 Oct 20 at 4:32pm |
Just to add to Sam's suggestion:-
Many people I knew were self-taught. There's nothing wrong in that, jut be sure that you keep safe! Always wear a personal flotation device (check it's right for your body mass), dress to keep warm (and allow for the fact you may be in the water! - so don't use thick woollen jumper). Wear trainers (closed toes) or dinghy boots. Never sail without someone else able to help. Go and enjoy! Colin
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aitchy
Newbie Joined: 13 Sep 20 Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 24 Oct 20 at 10:19pm |
Hey, thanks again for your useful answers. I really feel welcome in this forum and it's nice to see that people want to help :) a Laser sailing boat is one option. I have already seen some second-hand Laser boats in Croatia for sale. But as I said, I will not rush and buy one without having done a course before. So at the beginning I would like to rent one and later make the decision.
Then: big respect to all of you, who learned sailing by self-teaching. But I will first look for a beginners course. I think a professional instructor can give a lot of very useful information at the very beginning. And obviously the safety is also a very important issue at the beginning. |
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ColPrice2002
Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 Nov 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 222 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 25 Oct 20 at 8:38am |
Hi,
You may have difficulty renting/ hiring a dinghy. In the UK, most dinghy hire companies would need you to have RYA level 2 certificate (or equivalent, or show experience). I understand it's an insurance requirement.. you wouldn't let your 16 year old friend try driving your car without any training! Sam's recommendation for a laser is that (UK experience) they are not too expensive and there is at present a good market for second hand lasers. You could buy one, try it, then resell without losing much money. Let us know how you get on. Colin |
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