Some Common (Novice) Questions answered
Would I enjoy sailing?
If you want to try sailing to see if you like it, you can try it out at our club without any major financial commitment. You can come along for a Taster Session without obligation, to see if you enjoy being on the water. Our sport is full of people keen to help newcomers get interested.
Can small children go sailing?
Children as young as 8 can sail small boats alone, and there are many craft suitable for families with young children too. Our club caters for children over the age of 8.
Can anyone sail?
You do not need to be fit or able-bodied to sail, as there are such a variety of boats to cater for everyone. If you cannot swim, do not sail alone - just make sure your instructor or companion is aware. Disabled sailors would need to contact the Club Secretary to discuss any special needs.
Is sailing expensive?
Sailing is not an expensive sport, unless you choose to race at the highest level! Secondhand boats can be bought very cheaply, but you do not have to have your own boat at all. Many boats need 2 or more people to sail them, so finding opportunities to sail on someone else's boat is not difficult. Specialist sailing clothing can seem a little expensive, but again you do not have to own any, or buy brand new. It all depends on how much you get hooked!
Where can I go sailing?
With sea all around, Ireland offers a host of sailing opportunities, and the sea around Lough Swilly is ideal for the beginner and the more advanced sailor.
Do I need to join the sailing club?
In order to sail, you have to join the club due to insurance purposes. There is membership available for visitors, so just contact the club for further details.
Will I get cold and wet?
You'll probably get splashed a bit unless the weather is calm. The proper clothing (bought or hired) will keep you warm and dry so there is no need to shiver. In strong winds, small dinghies may tip completely over, quite safely, and dunk you in the water. All boats will lean over as the wind gets stronger, but large yachts do not tip right over.
Is sailing dangerous?
Sailing has a very good safety record, and even racing the fastest boats, injuries are incredibly rare. Checking the weather forecast before launching makes it easy to stay as safe as you want to. Before every sail, the committee members check the forecast and only head out if it is safe to do so. You will be informed by text if the sailing is cancelled at any time. The club always has a safety boat on hand, so help is never far away!
Will I feel sick?
Some people may feel sea-sick if sailing a larger boat on the sea in waves, but in smaller boats and on lakes or rivers, it is very unlikely anyone will feel sick. If you go inside the cabin of a yacht, where you cannot see easily out of a window, this is likely to bring on a nauseous feeling.
Will it take a long time to learn?
Like any new sport, sailing has strange new skills and terminology to learn. You can certainly spend a lifetime progressing to the highest levels, but after an hour most beginners can sail along happily, building up to sailing a dinghy alone after a day or two.
What about racing?
Sailing around just for fun is called cruising, but many people like to try racing too. The sense of competition is exciting, but beginners may not enjoy the shouting that sometimes accompanies this! If you get shouted at, it normally just indicates urgency rather than real anger, so don't get upset.
Why do people like sailing?
It's fun! Sailing can be made as fast and exciting as you like - or as gentle and relaxing as you like. Racing against others gives great competition, or you can use a boat to explore an area of water. You'll also meet new friends, and maybe get fitter.
What else do I need to know?
It is helpful to know the basic difference between a dinghy and a yacht: Dinghies are light boats between 2 to 4 metres long, for one or two people to fit in. They are meant to be taken out of the water after a day's sailing. They can be fast and exciting, or gentler for beginners and families. Yachts (also called keelboats) are bigger than this, and much heavier, which makes them more stable. They need several people on board, and are suitable for a short day sail, or a trip around the world.
Other wind-powered sports
You may also enjoy windsurfing, kite-surfing or land-yachting.
If you want to try sailing to see if you like it, you can try it out at our club without any major financial commitment. You can come along for a Taster Session without obligation, to see if you enjoy being on the water. Our sport is full of people keen to help newcomers get interested.
Can small children go sailing?
Children as young as 8 can sail small boats alone, and there are many craft suitable for families with young children too. Our club caters for children over the age of 8.
Can anyone sail?
You do not need to be fit or able-bodied to sail, as there are such a variety of boats to cater for everyone. If you cannot swim, do not sail alone - just make sure your instructor or companion is aware. Disabled sailors would need to contact the Club Secretary to discuss any special needs.
Is sailing expensive?
Sailing is not an expensive sport, unless you choose to race at the highest level! Secondhand boats can be bought very cheaply, but you do not have to have your own boat at all. Many boats need 2 or more people to sail them, so finding opportunities to sail on someone else's boat is not difficult. Specialist sailing clothing can seem a little expensive, but again you do not have to own any, or buy brand new. It all depends on how much you get hooked!
Where can I go sailing?
With sea all around, Ireland offers a host of sailing opportunities, and the sea around Lough Swilly is ideal for the beginner and the more advanced sailor.
Do I need to join the sailing club?
In order to sail, you have to join the club due to insurance purposes. There is membership available for visitors, so just contact the club for further details.
Will I get cold and wet?
You'll probably get splashed a bit unless the weather is calm. The proper clothing (bought or hired) will keep you warm and dry so there is no need to shiver. In strong winds, small dinghies may tip completely over, quite safely, and dunk you in the water. All boats will lean over as the wind gets stronger, but large yachts do not tip right over.
Is sailing dangerous?
Sailing has a very good safety record, and even racing the fastest boats, injuries are incredibly rare. Checking the weather forecast before launching makes it easy to stay as safe as you want to. Before every sail, the committee members check the forecast and only head out if it is safe to do so. You will be informed by text if the sailing is cancelled at any time. The club always has a safety boat on hand, so help is never far away!
Will I feel sick?
Some people may feel sea-sick if sailing a larger boat on the sea in waves, but in smaller boats and on lakes or rivers, it is very unlikely anyone will feel sick. If you go inside the cabin of a yacht, where you cannot see easily out of a window, this is likely to bring on a nauseous feeling.
Will it take a long time to learn?
Like any new sport, sailing has strange new skills and terminology to learn. You can certainly spend a lifetime progressing to the highest levels, but after an hour most beginners can sail along happily, building up to sailing a dinghy alone after a day or two.
What about racing?
Sailing around just for fun is called cruising, but many people like to try racing too. The sense of competition is exciting, but beginners may not enjoy the shouting that sometimes accompanies this! If you get shouted at, it normally just indicates urgency rather than real anger, so don't get upset.
Why do people like sailing?
It's fun! Sailing can be made as fast and exciting as you like - or as gentle and relaxing as you like. Racing against others gives great competition, or you can use a boat to explore an area of water. You'll also meet new friends, and maybe get fitter.
What else do I need to know?
It is helpful to know the basic difference between a dinghy and a yacht: Dinghies are light boats between 2 to 4 metres long, for one or two people to fit in. They are meant to be taken out of the water after a day's sailing. They can be fast and exciting, or gentler for beginners and families. Yachts (also called keelboats) are bigger than this, and much heavier, which makes them more stable. They need several people on board, and are suitable for a short day sail, or a trip around the world.
Other wind-powered sports
You may also enjoy windsurfing, kite-surfing or land-yachting.
