Sailing Kit

Buying sailing kit can be expensive but the club holds regular second hand kit sales which can be a great source of equipment, particularly for fast growing children. It is certainly not necessary to buy lots of expensive gear in order to do a St 1 course.

For initial beginner courses we would advise you have at least a basic wetsuit and ideally some wetsuit boots rather than beach sandals (these can leave you with very cold feet). Mountain Warehouse often have basic kids wetsuits available for under £40, and these are fine for initial courses and summer Improvers sessions.

It is always possible to put layers over & under a wetsuit, so at least have a fleece you can add, and if the weather looks bad see if you can find a thermal top to put on under your wetsuit if needed. Bring a lightweight waterproof coat & waterproof trousers if you have some. Finally, bring a warm hat to wear during shore briefings. Remember it is always easier to cool down than to get warm once you are cold!

As sailors get more confident and experienced, they often want to sail in worse weather and into the winter. At this point better kit can be a fantastic investment. Again, club members are often willing to offer advice on what works for them. The club sometimes places a bulk discount winter order with Rooster which can provide some great bargains. Remember that the club bye laws require a long wetsuit or drysuit to be worn for winter sailing (November-March).

Last updated 18:03 on 6 September 2023