When the holidays are over, you return to your daily life enriched by new experiences and full of good intentions.
During your stay at the seaside or at the lake, you tried sailing for the first time, you already see yourself as captain or next tactician on Luna Rossa, but first it is good for you to know these 3 things:
- The sport of sailing has no age , you can start very young or older, the difference lies in practice and perseverance.
- The nautical license is not a point of arrival, but only a beginning
- There are two types of sailors on a sailing boat: those who cruise and those who race and it is very difficult for a pure racer to be happy with a day at anchor at anchor (keep this in mind when you organize your next sailing vacation)
Now that you know the context in which we are sailing, I leave the floor to Dario Noseda, the sail hunter of Rivelami who will explain to you why sailing is a school of life , an opportunity for personal growth with a strong bond with nature
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“I am Dario Noseda, I started sailing as a child, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, I was lucky enough to have Tiziano Nava as a teacher who passed on to me his passion for the wind and boats. At 15 I built my first boat with an old hull found abandoned in a storage shed. After countless regattas, almost 50 years old I realized my dream: crossing the Atlantic Ocean alone, I did it on a Star, a 6.90 meter long dinghy designed for regattas and not really for the Ocean, but I did it, on December 17, 2017 I landed in Santa Lucia. |
Learn to sail
The best way to learn to sail is to start with dinghies, small boats, with a simple sail plan and simplified maneuvers that allow you to gain confidence and practice with the wind and develop sensitivity at the helm. All the greatest champions started here.
For the little ones, Optimist is one of the best beginnings, in Italy there are many schools both at the seaside and on the lakes ready to welcome young future sailors.
The enthusiasm of the little ones is contagious, their first outings are always full of emotions. On the boat they learn to respect the rules, to put into practice theoretical notions about wind and physics. On the boat they learn to be responsible and organized, each child rigs his own boat independently learning to keep his equipment in order, perhaps in original pencil cases , perfect, not only for pens, but also to keep order among crickets and strops.
Young Sailors: An Interview About First Steps in Sailing
To let you know the excitement of sailing for the youngest, I asked 2 little friends, Andrea and Leonardo, aged 9 and 7, who took the sailing course this summer, how their experience was, listen to what they told us:
Hi! I know you took a sailing course this year. How was the first time you got on a sailboat?
Andrea and Leonardo : Before getting on the boat we took a course that explained to us how the boat and the wind move. At first we were a little nervous, because we didn't know what to expect. But as soon as the boat started moving, we felt free. It felt like we were flying on the water and there was only us and the sea. It was exciting!
What was the most difficult part of the sailing course?
Andrea: The hardest part was learning to control the sail when the wind changed direction. Sometimes the wind was strong and made us turn the boat quickly, and we had to react quickly to not lose control.
Leonardo: And also learning to tie knots, which we have learned to do well, though.
What did you like most during the course?
Andrea: The thing I liked the most was the possibility to see parts of the coast that I never see from the beach and to look at the beach from the sea!
Leonardo: I liked being on the boat and learning with the other children in the course. It was fun trying to get there first, but also learning to work in a team and respect the rules of the sea.
What have you learned from sailing that you think will be useful to you during the year when you are not at sea?
Andrea: I learned that you have to be careful and not chat with friends too much if you are on a boat. On a boat you have to prepare what you need and pay attention to what happens. I understood that every little thing is important and that you have to pay attention to details.
The first steps on a sailing boat for an adult
But what about adults? There are many dinghies that are perfect for adults too, they certainly require more physical effort than a cabin cruiser, but they can be a good way to get back into shape.
If you are not an athlete, or prefer to stay dry, then a cabin cruiser sailing course is for you.
In addition to the theoretical notions, you will learn the basic maneuvers. It will be a great experience in crew, which will improve your ability in team play, in addition to the fact that you will have the opportunity to spend days in the open air.
But how long does it take to learn to sail?
I'll be honest, a weekend on a boat is not enough, it's the practice that makes the difference. Learning the various maneuvers, the nomenclature and the management of the sails requires repetition of the gestures to then make the reaction to a change of wind or to change course natural and immediate and on a sailing boat the reaction time sometimes makes the difference.
My advice is to go out on a boat as much as possible, many schools offer packages specifically designed to allow more trips at advantageous prices.
How to choose a sailing school?
Make sure it is a certified school, that it has a history and that it has a well-maintained fleet. The oldest nautical club in Italy is in Genoa, founded in 1879 when the fiery Vittorio Augusto Vecchi (known as Jack la Bolina) and a group of sailing enthusiasts decided to found, with the support of His Majesty King Umberto I, the Regio Yacht Club Italiano .
A boating license doesn't make a sailor
I have been living on the Gulf of La Spezia for 4 years and every summer I witness the same dynamics: people who have brilliantly obtained their boating license having difficulty maneuvering in the traffic of the gulf or who only go by motor when they could enjoy the silence of the sea and the rustle of the wind on the sails.
The nautical license is an important path to know the rules of navigation well, it is exactly like the driving license, you will know the rules of navigation, the signals and much more, but without practice you will never be able to handle yourself in the sea and in the wind as you usually do with your car in city traffic.
The sailor who races and the one who goes on a cruise
The beauty of sailing is that it can be experienced in so many different ways, it can be your sport for life, I know die-hard racers who have brilliantly surpassed 70 years of age, or it can become your moment of relaxation and freedom that you don't want to give up.
Everyone should be able to experience sailing in the way that best suits their character and attitude. What remains in common is respect for the sea, the sound of the wind on the sails and freedom, as in every Rivelami product.
Take a piece of the sea with you
You've discovered how sailing can enrich your life, now take the essence of the sea with you even out of the water. Our Rivelami shop offers a selection of items inspired by the nautical world, perfect for those who love the sea and want to experience it every day.
Visit our shop and be inspired by unique and original products, created with passion for those who, like you, feel the call of the waves.
Whether you are looking for an accessory for your boating adventures or a special gift for a sea lover, Rivelami has what you need. Browse our shop and discover the latest news!
