i just wanted to say hello as i've just joined this group. I live 1
mile away from the sea on the dorset coast but never, ever go sailing.
I would like to give it a go sometime soon but do not know where to
start. as it seems like a expensive sport to get into. can anyone
advise?

lambden wrote:

> i just wanted to say hello as i've just joined this group. I live 1
> mile away from the sea on the dorset coast but never, ever go sailing.
> I would like to give it a go sometime soon but do not know where to
> start. as it seems like a expensive sport to get into. can anyone
> advise?

If you want 'to sail', as distinct from 'going sailing', undoubtedly the 
best way is to learn to sail dinghies at a local club, probably via RYA 
training courses. I'm sure that it won't take you much effort to find 
out which and where the most convenient clubs are. Then just pitch up 
and talk to people to find what's on offer.
If, on the other hand, you want to go yachting, then buy a copy of 
Yachting Monthly which will contain a comprehensive list of adverts for 
sailing schools and book yourself a competent crew course which will 
give you a taste of what it's all about. Once you've acquired some basic 
skill, then you might be able to find crewing opportunities either via a 
local yachting club or by registering  on the web with Crew Seekers or 
similar.
As you live in Dorset, may I suggest that Poole harbour has a variety of 
clubs and sailing schools which, together, will offer all of the above.

Mosey down to Lyme Regis Yacht club and ask if you can go out with any 
member who will take you for an hour or two. they are a good crowd down 
there and I am sure someone will give you a go. Take wellies and some very 
warm clothing.

-- 
Yrs Quilly (Winchester UK)

On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:29:23 -0000, "Quilljar" <Not@home.today> wrote:

>Mosey down to Lyme Regis Yacht club and ask if you can go out with any 
>member who will take you for an hour or two. they are a good crowd down 
>there and I am sure someone will give you a go. Take wellies and some very 
>warm clothing.

The suggestion of one of the sailing schools in Poole is a better idea.
-- 

Martin

Martin wrote:
> On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:29:23 -0000, "Quilljar" <Not@home.today> wrote:
> 
>> Mosey down to Lyme Regis Yacht club and ask if you can go out with any 
>> member who will take you for an hour or two. they are a good crowd down 
>> there and I am sure someone will give you a go. Take wellies and some very 
>> warm clothing.
> 
> The suggestion of one of the sailing schools in Poole is a better idea.

Surely it depends where in Dorset the OP is...

On Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:28:41 +0000, Mark Bluemel  wrote:

>Martin wrote:
>> On Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:29:23 -0000, "Quilljar" <Not@home.today> wrote:
>> 
>>> Mosey down to Lyme Regis Yacht club and ask if you can go out with any 
>>> member who will take you for an hour or two. they are a good crowd down 
>>> there and I am sure someone will give you a go. Take wellies and some very 
>>> warm clothing.
>> 
>> The suggestion of one of the sailing schools in Poole is a better idea.
>
>Surely it depends where in Dorset the OP is...

... and if he has transport? If he can't sail, a sailing school is a good place
to start.

My kids lived in Holland when they did a school organised course at Rockley
Point in Poole. They rated it as one of the best school trips the school ever
organised, although both of them had been sailing for a decade when they did the
course. http://www.rockleywatersports.com/courses
-- 

Martin

On 30 Oct, 10:27, Martin <m...@address.invalid> wrote:

> ... and if he has transport? If he can't sail, a sailing school is a good place
> to start.

It's one way to start, but potentially quite an expensive one. There
are alternatives. Like "getting someone at a local sail club to show
him the ropes, then buying an old, cheap dinghy and discovering it for
himself." And, of course, it depends on what he means by sailing ...

Ian