Getting Started
Roadmap — Not Interested in Racing
If
you want to get into sailing and are not at all interested in racing,
the following should get you knowledgeable and into the sport.
a)
Sign up for a learn-to-sail
program. This is a good way to get started. An American
Sailing Association (ASA) accredited course, such as the one at
Lake Crabtree, for example, will give you a good command of the
basics of how to get from one point to another in a sailboat. Taught
on simple Sunfish sailboats, the principles you'll learn will apply
to any kind of sailboat. Or go to a class down at the shore. See
Learn to Sail Classes.
b) Go sailing - Practice.
Once you know some of the basics - including the essential safety
rules - you will be amazed at how fast your skills will improve
if you can practice 3 times a month. A good way to do this if you
don't own a boat is to use one of the rental boats available in
the Triangle. See Triangle Area
Sailboat Rentals.
c) Read up on sailing.
Many people find it helpful to read about sailing technique the
night before they go out to practice, and again at the end of the
day when they've been on the water. It gives you a chance to learn
how a technique or move is supposed to work, try out the technique
on the water, and then consolidate what you've learned after you've
had some experience it. See the References
section for suggestions.
d)
Long-term Boat: either buy a boat, settle into a regular
pattern of rentals, or find someone who has a boat and needs crew.
If you are interested in a keel boat, go to marinas where they are
moored and ask around. Locally, there are marinas on Lake Jordan,
Falls Lake, and Kerr lake. There are plenty down at the shore.
|
