If you want to know how to try sailing or windsurfing, one super easy option is to find a sailing club or watersports centre Open Day near you…
May is a great time to start sailing, as this is the month that dozens of sailing clubs and centres all around the UK throw their doors open as part of a nationwide initiative known as ‘Discover Sailing’.
This gives you a chance to try sailing or windsurfing – and often other watersports such as stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking – usually for free, or sometimes for a nominal charge.
The Discover Sailing scheme is backed by sailing’s governing body, the Royal Yachting Association, so you can be confident that any venue taking part will be affiliated to the RYA and therefore run to a high standard; more on how to find a Discover Sailing venue below.
This year, we can’t wait to head down to help support our local sailing club Open Day on 20th May 2023. In fact, the very first time we visited our club was on one of these Open Days! Once again this year, Burghfield Sailing Club will be working in tandem with the Andrew Simpson Centre Reading – also based on the same site – and visitors can drop-in to have a go at dinghy sailing, windsurfing and paddleboarding, as well as motorboat and sailing boat trips open to all, and pre-bookable Learn-to-Sail tasters. (Do say hi if you see us there!)
What do Discover Sailing Open Days have to offer?
Open Days are a great way to for people of all ages to give watersports a try, and for families, it’s a great first step to getting afloat with the kids.
Open Days are ‘have a go’ taster sessions that allow you to try sailing and windsurfing for little or no cost.
There many also be other watersports activities on site to try too, so it can be a good way to try activities like stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or even things like raft building – to see first of all if you enjoy it and to find out how to progress.
Not only can you find out about what watersports activities are available in your local area and try out different types of equipment, you can also find out about any learn-to-sail or improver sailing courses on offer, and ask about multi-activity days or holiday camps for kids, as well as opportunities to sail with others as crew on their boat.
There will be information about what boat hire options or club membership are available at the venue (or others nearby they may have links with), prices and what that involves.
You can also ask about specific activities that are arranged at the venue, whether that’s for family activities or perhaps racing. Most people who take up sailing or windsurfing usually look to buy their own boat or board in the longer term, so it’s good to find out what the popular fleets are at that venue, particularly if you do have an interest in racing.
For now, though, that may all seem very far down the line, particularly if you are at the very start of your watersports adventures and looking at how to try sailing for the very first time.
In any case, going along to an Open Day is a great chance to overall have a fun experience with family and friends that will almost certainly have you hooked!
Read more about what to expect on the day below.
Top tip – Whatever stage of your watersports journey you’re at, be open and honest about what you talk to people about are looking for. That way the people at the venue will be best placed to help advise you further on ways to get involved, and if you’re still not sure, you can always approach the RYA for more info. They will have details of someone in your region who can help further, and there’s also useful information available on next steps here.
Re-discovering sailing after a break
Another good reason to go along to an Open Day is if you are looking to re-discover sailing, windsurfing or other watersports.
That was us a few years ago; even though we had plenty of experience ourselves, we were coming back into the sport from an entirely different angle now we had two very young kids in tow. What’s more, we had just moved to a new area. So, we made a point of going along to our nearest club Open Day to find out what options there were locally, and soon after became members!
Our club – Burghfield Sailing Club – is particularly well-suited for young families or beginners, as there is also a watersports centre on site – one of four Andrew Simpson Centres – so we have the best of both worlds with learn to sail opportunities for the kids, and storage and racing opportunities for our own boat.
Even for us as experienced sailors, as a first step, going along to the Open Day was the perfect way to find out first-hand exactly what was on offer, meet those involved, get a feeling for the set-up and ask questions.
Trying sailing – what to expect on an Open Day
On the other hand you may have no experience in a boat and be wondering, can I go sailing if I have never tried sailing before? Yes, of course you can!
These Open Days are intended for everyone from complete novices up, so yes, absolutely you can try sailing even if you have never stepped in a boat before! And the same with windsurfing and any other watersports they may have on offer on the day… It’s all about getting people to give it a try and ‘Discover Sailing’.
There will be qualified instructors and/or experienced sailors on hand to introduce you to the equipment and take you for a sail. Some may be paid professionals or seasoned volunteers.
The type of boat or boards available will vary depending on the venue and what they have to offer. However, rest assured it will be a stable craft that’s well-suited to beginners – while I can’t flat-out promise you won’t fall in, rest assured it is highly unlikely!
The venue will also provide you with a buoyancy aid or lifejacket to wear. Make sure you wear comfy clothing on the day – take a change just in case! – and old trainers that you don’t mind getting wet. Don’t forget suncream, even if it’s overcast, as reflection from the water means the sun is stronger when you are afloat.
Timetables and specific activities on offer will vary from venue to venue; with dozens of RYA affiliated venues around the UK running open days, there is no ‘out of the box’ format to running an Open Day and a lot depends on individual venues, whether they are on the sea or inland, large or small, volunteer-led or with paid staff, and so on – this variety is a part of what makes the sport so interesting!
So, once you have found the centre closest to you – see below for how to search – it’s worth or taking a look at their website or contacting them directly to find out more about what to expect on the day.
Also check timings before you go; it may be a drop-in, or you may need to register in advance. Check if any activities have an age limit to avoid disappointing any little ones on the day – but there will almost certainly be something for everyone to try.
There may well be catering on site – perhaps a BBQ or the clubhouse bar might be open – but if not you might like to bring a picnic or some snacks – being active on the water tends to work up an appetite for little ones in particular!
It’s also a good idea to take a refillable water bottle to make sure you stay hydrated.
Find a Discover Sailing Open Day near you…
The RYA has a searchable database of Open Days being run during May as part of the RYA Discover Sailing initiative – see button below.
If you can’t make it along to your nearby venue on a particular day, why not get in touch and see if you can arrange a separate visit – you may not be able to get afloat but you will still be able to get help and advice.
See you on the water!
