by Pawel Ogonowski

Yachting allows you to get up close and personal with the elements and experience a freedom that no other sport can possibly offer. Yachting has so much to offer so many different people. There really is something for everyone whatever age. Whether you are cruising around the British Isles, holidaying abroad with friends or competing, there are many adventures and lasting memories to be had. Yachting allows you to see so much more than any other sport. You can discover uninhabited coves and beaches, study the beauty of the chalky cliffs of Dover up close and see sea life in its natural habitat. For the lucky ones, there is also the possibility of sailing with dolphins, seals or whales!

Yachting offers so many social opportunities too. Whether its through a local club or marina, through racing, holidays or courses. There is that general acknowledgement within the boating community that everyone who sails shares some common ground and thus it is very easy to meet friends through the sport.

Yachting can be whatever you make it! It can be exciting, fun, adventurous and has the potential to satisfy the biggest of thrill seekers. But it can also offer ultimate relaxation, calm and tranquillity. Within moments you can feel as if you were miles away from the hum drum of everyday life. At one with the ocean it can be the ultimate escape.

How to get involved

Top of the list has to be the RYA taster courses which allow you to get out on the water, give it a try and see if it inspires you. There are many RYA training centres across the country which will allow you to do this! Log in and check out our search to find the nearest one to you!

Sailing holidays can also be a good way to introduce you to the sport, particularly if it is with friends in a hot, tropical climate. There are plenty on offer for all capabilities. So whether you are a beginner or an experienced seafarer check out some of our articles on favourite sailing holiday destinations or use our search engine to find the best holiday to suit you.

If friends have a boat, then get them to take you out and show you what it is all about. If there are any local clubs give them a call and see if there is anything you can get involved in or if anyone would be willing to take you out. People are always in need of a crew so don’t worry if you cannot afford your own boat! There is a lot of literature on the web, in the local library or available for purchase to help familiarise yourself with the basics.

by Michele L

Dinghy sailing has so much to offer. In a dinghy you can really feel the effects of the elements. Your every move is crucial. It is both exhilarating and exciting and can be enjoyed by a wide range of age groups. Feeling the fresh air on your face, the wind in the sail and gently gliding across a lake, river, reservoir or coastline is a sensation hard to beat. For those of you that live in landlocked towns and cities this is a perfect way to reconnect with nature and feel an element of freedom from the sometimes claustrophobic surroundings. An added bonus is that it is also less expensive than yachting. So why not experience something new and give it a go? You never know where it might take you.

How to get involved

Your options to start dinghy sailing are vast. There are many courses on offer from the RYA designed for complete beginners as part of a well put together programme to get you to expert level in no time. Log in and check some of them out using our course search and online guide.

There are many companies that offer sailing holidays where you can combine courses and holidays together! Check out our holidays section for more details.

There are thousands of clubs, teams and associations across the country. Why not sign up and start networking. Joining a club is a brilliant way of meeting like minded people and many clubs have opportunities to sail for people in events and races.

by Slavik Gormah

Fast, fun and free. What better way to get active on the water than to windsurf! Travelling with the wind and riding the waves! It can be tried and enjoyed by everyone and offers hours of entertainment as well as being challenging and stimulating. All ages can windsurf and the RYA courses certainly cater for all ages. With minimal kit this is one of the cheapest forms of sailing and certainly one for the speed junkies among us.

How to get involved

The RYA offer courses to get you up and running and blasting in no time. There are many training centres across the country. Why not log in and have a look at which ones are closest to you?

Like all types of sailing you can also indulge in a windsurfing holiday! Many windsurfing holidays also offer the chance to complete RYA approved courses during their stay killing two birds with one stone! Why not cool down in the hot Mediterranean sun with a windsurfing holiday. I certainly wouldn’t mind falling in!

Joining a club can also be a useful way of networking and meeting like minded people who you could join to windsurf. As well as providing events and other social opportunities.

by grzswe

Motor cruising can get you across the seas fast and in luxury! Forget fast cars the latest motor cruiser is the ultimate style accessory. With so many gizmos and gadgets available motor cruising has never been the same. Anchor in your own secluded bay and have a romantic dinner or just relax and top up on your tan. Motor cruising allows you to take the modern comforts of home along with you to create your own exploratory adventure.

How to get involved

Motor cruising is less of a sport and more of a leisure activity. However there are still many courses and taster sessions on offer to you. Why not log in and check out the RYA courses on offer nearest to you?

If you have a friend with a boat why not get them to show you the ropes and take you out for the day and then you can decide for yourself whether you want to take it further.

There are many clubs open for motor cruisers to join. Clubs are a great way to socialise and to find out useful information about motor cruisers and facilities on offer to you.

by Klaus Post

Power boating is fast, fun and exhilarating. You can cruise on coastal waters and explore everything that the coast has to offer or use your skills for practical uses such as umpiring, coaching and safety boat for sail boat races. Most suitable for a day trip only, powerboats allow you to travel far in a small amount of time to make sure that you cover everything you want to within your trip. Powerboats are easy to get hold of either to buy or hire and can be used on both inland and coastal waters. Power boating is a transferable skill and a very useful qualification to have.

How to get involved

There is a wide variety of RYA power boat courses available from beginners to advanced. There is a course that caters for everyone. Log in and check out the next course available near you!

There are also a number of clubs that are always looking for people keen to powerboat. It also helps to network and meet other power boat enthusiasts.

by Philip MacKenzie

Personal Watercraft aka Jet skis are a lot of fun! They are easy to use and it does not take long to master. They are speedy, exciting and full of adventure. Jet skis are easy to transport and many motor cruisers nowadays even have facilities to store them onboard! Used by the likes of Lara croft and James Bond, jet skis are the ultimate action lover’s dream. So why not get out there and open the throttle on the open sea!

How to get involved

Personal watercrafts are widely available for hire and many places will offer taster sessions. Why not check out some of the places you can hire craft from using out online search.

The RYA also offer one day concise courses that will equip you with all the basics. Log in and find the next one available near you.

There are also a few clubs around which will help you to get in the know about your new hobby and meet like minded people.

by loughnet

The ultimate way to explore and see the beautiful landscape and architecture of a country is by water! Cruising inland waterways is both relaxing and fun. There are so many things to do. Why not stop off at a local restaurant for lunch? What about shopping by boat? Or how about experiencing the beauty of a loch up close and personal? Inland waterways have so much to offer so get out there and see for yourself. You will discover things you never knew before.

How to get involved

The RYA offers a valuable Inland Waterways course that will cover everything you need to know to get out on the water and exploring the countryside. Check out the nearest training centre to you now using our online search.

There are many places to charter boats. Why not log in and check out the latest boats on offer in our charter search.

There are many clubs on offer for you to join. Clubs are a great way of finding new hotspots and destinations to cruise as well as providing useful information and social opportunities.