From the Euros to Wimbledon, it’s already been a Summer of fantastic sports and now it’s nearly time for the most anticipated sporting event of the year: the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games! Ahead of the Olympics starting later this month (26th July), British Sailor, Dee Caffari MBE, is encouraging people to take inspiration from the games and get into sailing.

As the countdown to the Olympics begins, online searches for beginner sailing terms have seen an astonishing increase. ‘Sailing basics for beginners’ has risen by 400% since July 2023, while ‘get into sailing’ and ‘beginner sailing lessons’ have both increased by 100% over the last three months. According to research, Britain is the most successful Olympic sailing nation of all time (31 gold medals and 64 medals in total) so it comes as no surprise that more people are wanting to try their hand at taking the helm!

In light of this new research, Sunsail’s ambassador Dee has shared tips on how to get into sailing as a beginner. The team at Sunsail have given their thoughts on why people should start sailing, along with their top tips on how to get into sailing and shared key information to help people take their first steps, such as qualifications and important sailing lingo.

It comes as Sunsail continues its mission to inspire the next generation of sailors with the return of the acclaimed Funding the Future initiative, offering sailing and yacht clubs across the UK a chance to win up to £6,000 to invest in their sailors and facilities. To participate, clubs must submit a 500-word entry by Sunday, 31st July 2024 outlining their vision for the funding and explain how it will impact their sailing club. 

In an interview with Sunsail, Dee Caffari MBE said: “Every four years, we are inspired by the Olympic Games, seeing a variety of sports and top-performance professional athletes showing us how it’s done. When we see some sports, we’re inspired […] to go and try it, and sailing is one of those sports. 

“Sailing as a sport is so complex because there’s so many […] options to enjoy. It’s not just the dinghy sailing that we see in the Olympics, but also there’s some cruising, there’s holidays, and there’s the offshore world that I know better than most. So there really is something for everyone, but it’s definitely a time of inspiration.

“We’re inspired by Olympic sports, and when we see something like sailing where we see the athletes out on the water, enjoying nature, at the mercy of the elements and trying to harness that power into performance, it looks exciting. It looks like something we all want to try and we can! That’s the magic of the Olympics and the fact that, every day, mere mortals like ourselves can also go and experience these sports and give them a try. 

“You don’t have to be a high-performance athlete to go sailing. You can step on the water under the guidance of good instruction and have that experience for yourself. [There’s] a level of the sport for everybody because it’s not just about small dinghies or very rich, expensive yachts. 

“You can go cruising and have fun as a young family, as working professionals or in later life. It really doesn’t care about gender or age. It does not discriminate. There’s a level for everybody, and that’s why I’m so passionate about the sport I do and I love.”

Image: James Green Photographer

Why get into sailing?

If, like Dee, you usually find yourself inspired and motivated by the Olympics, and this year you’re thinking about trying a new sport, here are a few reasons why sailing is a fantastic choice:

  • Sailing can be extraordinary for the mind, body, and soul – It’s an excellent way to get active whilst experiencing the tranquillity and freedom on the water. Whether you’re cruising along, exploring places you wouldn’t otherwise be able to see or just having fun afloat.

  • Sense of control and mastery – Sailing empowers you to take control of the boat and navigate through the water using your skills and knowledge. As you gain experience and expertise, you can refine your sailing techniques, understand the nuances of the wind and currents, and make more informed decisions. This sense of control and mastery over the boat and your actions can contribute to the flow state, as it provides a sense of achievement and self-confidence.

  • Home away from home – With sailing, you can combine home comforts with stunning beaches and scenery. Want to go into a quieter surrounding? Simply drop off the mooring lines and head to a more serene and exciting location. On a yacht, you can jump from bed to sea any time of the day, without a crowd nearby.

  • Anyone can sail – You don’t need to be fit or able-bodied to participate in sailing, and you don’t even need to be a strong swimmer (although you should be comfortable with being in the water in a buoyancy aid).

  • Sailing gives you a whole new way to experience the world – We’re so used to exploring places on land, that sailing opens up so many opportunities to uncover treasures that exist off the shore.

How to get into sailing

When you decide you want to try a new sport, it can be overwhelming knowing where to begin. This is especially true if you don’t know anyone who participates in that particular sport. If you feel motivated to take the helm and channel your inner sailor after watching the upcoming Olympics, here are a few tips for getting started:

  1. Complete a sailing course – Undertaking sailing courses is a great way to build confidence and gain the qualifications you need to keep you and your family safe on board. Whilst it may be a little too soon to spend time on the water with an experienced instructor, there are plenty of online resources and courses to dive into. 

  2. Learn the parts of a sailing boat – This will help you to know what to touch, look at or do when directed by the instructor in your first class. 

  3. Watch sailing videos online for free – Instructional videos on YouTube or other channels will help you connect the terminology with the reality. The first day on a sailboat can be overwhelming so the more you know beforehand, the smoother it will be.

  4. Join a local sailing club – This is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the world of sailing, and meet other budding and experienced sailors. It allows you to experience the social side of sailing and feel part of a community.

  5. Learn the lingo – Sailing has its own glossary of terms that you’ll need to know. Get familiar with these terms before setting foot on a yacht and you’ll have a clear method of communicating that helps you manoeuvre a yacht around the world’s most beautiful sailing areas

What sailing qualifications do you need?

The qualifications you need to start exploring the open waters will differ, depending on a number of factors, including:

  • Whether you’re sailing a dinghy or yacht

  • Where in the world you’re planning to sail

  • Whether you own your vessel or are hiring one (different companies will have different requirements)

  • What experience level your sailing destination is classed as

Sailing destinations are categorised into three levels. Level 1 destinations have the easiest and safest waters, and are perfect for beginners. Level 3 destinations are the most challenging, so you’ll need to make sure that at least one member of your crew has the sailing experience needed to have fun and stay safe.

Qualifications for Level 1 Sailing Destinations:

  • Five days or 100 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.

  • International Certificate of Competence (ICC) or RYA Day Skipper is compulsory for Croatia and Greece.

  • Sailors must have basic knowledge of charts and be able to plot their position.

Qualifications for Level 2 Sailing Destinations:

  • 10 days or 200 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht.

  • RYA Day Skipper.

  • ICC or Day Skipper is compulsory for Croatia, Greece, Italy, and Spain.

  • Sailors will need to understand the tidal flow and be able to navigate in open water.

Qualifications for Level 3 Sailing Destinations:

  • 20 days or 400 miles as skipper on an equivalent size yacht

  • RYA Day Skipper with experience to a higher level

  • RYA Coastal Skipper

  • ICC with experience to a higher level

  • A Temporary certificate of competence is compulsory in Belize

  • Understand large tidal variations, deal with strong currents, and be able to make a passage plan.

Each destination will have its own unique requirements so be sure to do thorough research first. There may also be additional requirements such as being over 18 years old or holding a VHF Radio Operators License.

Full qualifications required can be found here and are explained further here. Information about Sunsail’s sailing schools can be found here. 

Understanding sailing jargon

As mentioned previously, when you first start learning how to sail, you may feel like your instructors are speaking a different language! Whether it’s a part of the boat, a type of knot or a sailing technique, learning the lingo is a rite of passage for many.

While it can feel overwhelming at first, the jargon will quickly become second nature, a clear method of communicating that helps you manoeuvre your yacht around the world’s most beautiful sailing areas. To help you master the basics, here are a few sailing terms to get you started. 

  1. Starboard – The right-hand side of the vessel when you face the front (bow). This is the opposite of port

  2. Chart – The map on which you check your position and plan your next voyage

  3. Nautical Mile – A measure of distance on the water, equal to 1852 metres

  4. Trampoline – You can try and bounce, but you probably won’t get very high! This is the netting at the front of a Catamaran that you can lie on and sun yourself

  5. Iron Mike – A slang term for auto-pilot

  6. Trim – Adjustments made to sails to maximise their efficiency. Also refers to the position of hull relative to the waterline

  7. Waterline – The line where ship meets the sea

  8. Genoa – The sail at the front of the boat. This sail is used to control the direction of the boat, as well as adding some power

  9. Ease – To let the sails out

  10. Tacking – Zig-zagging so as to sail directly towards the wind (and for some vessels, also away from it)

Sunsail’s full A-Z of sailing jargon can be found here, which contains all the nautical terms you need to know to go from sailing zero to sailing hero! 

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