Dinghy sailing experience is a wonderful, immersive introduction to the world of sailing. EYC has a fleet of ultra-safe Stratos Keels. Sailing with a club member on one of these boats is a perfect introduction to the pleasures of dinghy sailing.
If you’re more interested in the pleasure of yachts and cruiser sailing crewing on one of our club member’s boats is also an option.
If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to get out onto the water and find out what its like to sail a boat then Erith is a great place to start.
Erith offers:
- The opportunity to try out sailing on a range of types and sizes of boats including club dinghies or on club member’s cruisers and yachts.
- A safe and supportive environment with a big sailing area and excellent onshore facilties
- Training and practice opportunities with experienced & supportive club members to sail with and learn from
Where to start – How to get involved
The best way to start out is to go out sailing for one or two hours with an experienced sailor from the club. To make this happen come down to the club during one of our organised sailing sessions. You’ll meet other sailors from the club and we’ll aim to match you up with an experienced helmsperson and get you out on the water.
If you have the time, another approach is to spend a weekend on one of our Royal Yacht Association (RYA) Level 1 Start Sailing courses, a more structured, internationally recognised route to start sailing.
You are always welcome, either after achieving your RYA Level 1, or before, to attend organised sailing sessions on the club calendar to boost your sailing experience. These sessions are usually on the weekend MAST or buddy social sailing or during the summer Friday evening Sundowners.
We plan and publish sailing activites in our calendar but sailing is weather dependant and safety is our top priority so sessions may be cancelled due to too much, not enough wind or other bad weather or at short notice due to club members other commitments. Sailing often get organised spontaniously when club members want to get out on the water so its a good idea to be prepared to say ‘Yes’ when an opportunity pops up.
What you need to know
What does good weather look like
Couple of days before – Check the weather
Aim to support and challenge. – Take responsibility – Unless prohibited by club rules and procedures club members are free to decide when and how they want to go sailing. But we all give each other advice and try to listen to the views of others. As a person new to sailing we will talk to you about what how you feel comfortable doing but may encourage you to try something that expands your experience.
What to bring
Clothing and shoes, hat & sunscreen, towel & change of clothes including footwear, water, food & gloves – We’ve got a checklist of what to bring for your first time sailing.
What the club can provide
Sailing gear in your size – The club has a range of spray jackets and trousers that provide protection from wind, rain and any spray as we sail.
Flotation aid – When sailing in our double handed boats or yachts we don’t expect to end up in the water but as a precaution we all wear some type of floation aid.
Support from our Safety boat and their crew
An introduction to preparing the boat to go sailing – Rigging and launching the boat
How to get to Erith
The club is close to Erith township with a variety of transport options. Check details on how to get to club and get in when you arrive.