Dinghy Sailing Phuket- Key to Good Sailing Skills

by Phuket Post/Cruising Editor on 5 Jun 2006 The best way to learn to sail is to sail a dinghy. This is true anywhere in the world, and in Thailand the Phuket Sailing Club, with little dinghy sailing since the devastating tsunami, is getting active again.

'To be able to sail you must have some understanding of the wind, the sea and the currents and how the sails of the boat, using the wind, move the boat through the water,' Phuket Sailing Club Vice Commodore Robert Warnes told the Phuket Post.

'Learning in a small boat gives you a good knowledge of all aspects of how to sail. From learning in a small boat you can go on to sail big yachts,' he explained. 'Racing also improves a person’s sailing abilities as you must follow a course whatever way the wind and tides are moving.'

Up until the tsunami, the club held junior sailing sessions every two weeks on Sundays for a few years and it was very popular at that time. Warnes continues, 'There were up to 20 students as well as family members. Just before the tsunami our principal organizer and instructor was unable to continue so for the last two years there has been little sailing activity.'

The Club will hold two ‘Get Sailing’ days on 11 June and 9 July to introduce people to the pastime of dinghy sailing and encourage new members to join PYC.

Warne explained that the ‘Get Sailing’ days have been set up again to help get both adults and children interested. 'The principal organizer and instructor has returned. We hope to continue the two weekly sailing sessions when new members join. Members who can sail do not have to wait until the club sailing sessions to go sailing. They can take a boat when they choose; they just have to inform the Sailing Convener. Small boat sailing clubs are friendly, family-oriented places where members help to organize the activities.'

He continued. 'Learn to sail courses will introduce beginners to the ideas and, after a course of perhaps 12 or so hours, the student will be able to practice and improve on their own without too much supervision. In fact it only takes a couple of hours to learn how to start sailing a sailboat.'

Mr Warnes added that the waters of Ao Yon and Chalong Bay are sheltered and excellent for sailing small boats. 'Once people ‘Get Sailing’ within a few months they want to hold club races in and around Ao Yon and Chalong Bay.'

Phuket Yacht Club has been in existence for over 30 years in the Yon Bay area.
For further details about the Phuket Yacht Club or the ‘Get Sailing’ programme, call 076 200 911 or visit www.phuketyachtclub.info