Ask any child why they enjoy being on the water and you’ll find that fun and friendship are pretty much top of the list. Racing or playing games on the water and in all weathers, and meeting lots of youngsters the same age, is a winning combination for youngsters.
This is great news for those of us who are keen to combine our sailing with spending quality time with the family.
Getting the kids OnBoard
If you’re looking to get out on the water with your brood, a great way to get them inspired to join you is to introduce them to dinghy sailing independently. Not only will this get them used to being afloat, but it can also provide them with precious life-long learning skills.
The RYA have been working closely with a leading education expert Prof Bill Lucas, Director at the Centre for Real World Learning, to verify the positive attributes that learning sailing can bring to youngsters.
These have been identified as creativity, confidence, teamwork, communication, determination, independence and performance (the process of learning how to improve).
Prof Lucas says: “All the evidence says for a young person to flourish in the 21st century the character attributes they need are on that list of seven. If you do these things better, exam results get better and people who have these attributes get on better in life. They are much happier and can be more flexible and adaptable to embrace challenges”.
So what better excuse to get your youngsters into a boat. RYA OnBoard offers children aged 8-18 the opportunity to try out sailing and windsurfing through their local club or centre in a safe, secure and fun environment. Find everything you need to know at www.rya.org.uk/onboard
Have an adventure
As a family there is nothing better than spending time together out in the fresh air. Whether you want to cruise up the river for a sport of lunch or spend a day having a ‘Swallows and Amazons’ style adventure, going dinghy cruising as a family is fantastic way to make some special memories.
David, Mary and their two children aged 8 and 11 say that some of their favourite family holidays are spent camping and sailing.
Mary explains: “As a family we love taking our dinghy away with us when we go camping. It’s one of the cheapest holidays we can have really, especially when you compare it to the cost of a day at a theme park, we just pay for the launching fee and the campsite. It’s fantastic!
“We wake up, pack a picnic or a BBQ and sail off for the day! It’s a great family activity because a team effort is required to sail a boat and get from A to B. The children, under supervision, are able to be very useful. They are able to understand how they are helping in sailing to our destination.’
“For us dinghy sailing is a real adventure. When we jump out of the boat the kids have a certain freedom. As long as we keep an eye on them they can run off and explore. Our daughter has just learn to helm the boat and she’s doing really well. She enjoys it and gets to join in with her big brother” she concludes.
Join the club
Joining a sailing club can also open up a whole new world of support, friends for you and your family with plenty of junior and youth sailing activities for the children.
There are over 1,200 clubs across the country inland and coastal where you can learn to sail and get involved in club sailing. They are becoming more inclusive than ever so you don’t even need to have had any experience to get on the water. Many offer training opportunities or sailing sessions with other experienced sailors to help build confidence which may help your non-sailing family members to get started.
With clubs offering junior and youth clubs, the youngsters can stay keen, make friends and progress with their sailing. You can also join a club for as little as a yearly one off payment of £150 and many offering boats to hire or borrow for free. They also offer a great schedule of social activities which suit all ages.
Inspire the family
So how do you find your local sailing club? This year RYA Push the Boat Out (PTBO) is taking place for the whole of May with clubs and training sessions opening their doors and offering free and low cost taster sessions for the whole family.
RYA Club of Support Advisor Jackie Bennetts explains: “Push the Boat Out events provide the perfect day out for families, with many offering free taster sessions in a range of boats, as well as the chance to take a look around the venue, find out what’s on offer and meet the people who are involved in running the club.
She continues: “Some venues taking part in PTBO offer discounts on joining fees and courses so it is a great opportunity to inspire your friends and family to get out on the water and discover the lifestyle that comes with being part of a club. They often have great refreshments on offer too!”
To find more information about RYA Push the Boat Out visit www.rya.org.uk/PTBO
Sailing inland
Finally don’t miss the 2018 RYA Dinghy Show at Alexandra Palace, London over the weekend of 03-04 March 2017, for a day out which will inspire the whole family to get sailing.
Whatever your age, jump on board a sailing simulator, experience virtual sailing with oculus goggles or explore the show collecting clues and stickers on the famous Dinghy Show treasure hunt. With exhibitors filling the halls with hundreds of boats, kit, gear and more, the show offers something for everyone.
More information and tickets visit www.rya.org.uk/dinghyshow
If you would like more advice on how to get out on the water with your family including RYA training and how to find your local sailing venue visit www.rya.org.uk/startboating
