Things to Consider in Making Your Decision - RYA Sailing Courses Voyage Sea School

While I would highly urge anyone to take up sailing, it's a personal decision that only you can make. In order to help you think things through, here are some things to consider: Do you enjoy being outside? This is pretty obvious, but you do need to honestly assess how much you enjoy being out in the elements. Weather conditions can change from great to awful in an instant, and you might be quite a few minutes from shore when they do. Also, if you hate water or being wet, you should seriously consider not sailing. Are you up for a challenge? - http://www.voyageseaschool.com You can learn the fundamentals of sailing in one long day or a weekend. After that, you can spend the rest of your life learning to sail well. As a pastime, sailing will consistently challenge you like no other. Where do you rate, in terms of being humble? As previously mentioned, sailing is a personal challenge and you'll have a lot to learn. If you are the impatient type, this is one pursuit that can turn into an unpleasant chore. If you are patient and open to learning, it will be a joy. Usually. Is taking orders something you can do? Chances are excellent that you will take lessons, or less formal instruction, from another person. That person may be an instructor, a friend or (worst-case scenario) your Significant Other. It is crucial that you listen and obey! Many people have a hard time with one or the other, let alone both. Are you one of those people? How realistic are your goals? Are you dreaming of circumnavigating the globe next month, crewing in America's Cup in two years, or sailing for Olympic Gold in four? Perhaps a more modest goal, such as overnight cruising or crewing at a local regatta, would save you from undue unhappiness and frustration. Have you got the time? Unless you live right on the water (lucky you, if this applies), you will be spending time getting to a boat, boating and getting back home. Travel times will vary, but you get the idea. If you fall in love with sailing, it can seriously eat into any free time you may currently have. What about money? This really isn't an issue, at least not yet. Sailing lessons can be had relatively inexpensively, or even for free if you have friends who sail. You don't need to run out and join a yacht club right away, either. Just bear in mind that, at some point, you will probably want to buy your own boat. Dependent on boat, and accommodations for said boat, you may want to give a thought to budgetary concerns sooner rather than later. Who else is in your life? This is a big consideration, if you are married or with a partner. The best thing that can happen is that he or she shares your enthusiasm for sailing. The worst thing is that he or she loathes the thought of boats, water or (and don't discount this) not having your undivided attention. You're on your own here, but you'd better give this at least a passing thought. If you had positive answers for even a few of these questions, get out there and give sailing a try! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.