Whatever your age or mobility, whether you used to sail or just fancy having a go, sailing is a great sport that’s a lot of fun. As well as being one of the Olympic sports Brits excel at, it’s also great for your body and mind too.

Improved fitness, strengthened muscles, better concentration and a real sense of well-being are just a few of the benefits people state as reasons for loving sailing. It can be a fantastic team sport and community.  It can also be a tremendous source of peace and tranquillity for those looking for a slower pace of fitness. Sailing is great fun, whether you treat it as a sport to improve at, or a chance to get away from it all. whatever your age

Improved muscles and balance.  Sailing any boat requires a wide range of physical skills just to sail a course from A to B. Getting around a boat in bad weather means balancing, often in challenging positions.  This improves your ability to balance and strengthens your legs muscles, ‘core’ abdominal muscles of your body core. Hoisting sails, pulling ropes, changing sail settings when manoeuvring, all help upper body strength. But you don’t have to be super fit or mobile. You can sail whatever your level or fitness or ability. Even if you think you have a disability, that won’t hold you back.

Improved concentration. With busy lives at work and home, modern technology demanding attention wherever we are, there are plenty of distractions when sailing.   Sailing has a positive effect on your mental awareness and ability to concentrate.  All at the same time, the skipper needs to: read the wind, watch the sails the water, be aware of anything else in the vicinity or heading in towards your boat. In addition, steering the boat, changing the sail set, sometimes, often, with very short notice.  Like driving, we develop quick decision-making skills and concentration. But it can also be a chance to get away from technology. Phones and water don’t mix, so it’s an excellent chance to switch off and simply be present.

Improved spatial awareness and eyesight.  Handling a boat requires a good wider awareness and eyes scanning almost constantly. Understanding of the space you are in whether tied up to the pontoon or out on the water where there are buoys, other sailing boats and windsurfers and more to keep an eye out for.

Sunlight is good for us and enables our bodies to produce vitamin D, great for our bones.  Do remember though to apply a UV0 factor to prevent skin damage and do wear a hat and sunglasses to minimise the risk of damage to your eyes and reduce headaches.  If it is reasonably bright, even if it is grey, I always wear sunglasses.

Good for the mind, spirit and soul.   Being outside, on the water and feeling the weather, away from your usual worries, benefits the mind and can be very relaxing – stepping away from home or work issues for short while. Whatever stresses there are drift away when getting out on the water with friends.  On the water, the sound of the waves lapping against the boat is calming. Enjoying the surrounding views from afloat, including watching those on shore walking, cycling, picnicking, playing golf, and the wildlife,  all add to make it truly relaxing.  

Socialising exercising. Once the boats are put to bed, ready for the next sail, there’s always time for a catchup in the clubhouse, watching the sun going down and reflecting on a great day’s sailing in good company, before heading home, relaxed. Not only can sailing be a social activity in the boat, but in the clubhouse too with likeminded friends and colleagues.

Fancy a Taster Sail?

Whether you used to sail, already sail or just fancy having a go on a keelboat, you will always be made welcome and look after by RCSSC members.

Rutland Civil Service Sailing Club (RCSSC) are corporate members of Rutland Sailing Club (RSC) and look forward to welcoming you for a taster sail for all levels of experience.

For more information you can contact David Grundy, the sailing taster organiser at RCSSC, at RCSSC.dg@gmail.com