Sailing News

There’s often a common question that people of a certain age ask when they decide they want to learn to sail; whether they are too old to start. We get asked this by people of all ages, and even by those we consider still young, and that includes those of you in your fifties… so… Read more

    First Class Sailing has been teaching people to sail for over twenty years and operate from various locations including Central London and from Shamrock Quay in Southampton. In that time, thousands of people of all ages have completed courses with us, including seniors aged 65 years and over.   If you’re looking for… Read more

Sailing can be enjoyed by all ages and abilities, and some people will say that the younger you can get into sailing the better. But, as a rule of thumb, we believe there is an age when kids can learn to sail that makes sense from both a physical and maturity level. In our opinion… Read more

We are often asked whether age is a barrier to sailing, and our response is always a resounding no. People of all ages and backgrounds can enjoy sailing, so if you are aged 60 to 65 or above, let us put your mind at rest… 60 is not too old to start sailing; you should… Read more

Why VHF Radio is an important skill? First Class Sailing’s VHF Radio course teaches you important skill that not only protects your safety but is also a legal requirement. In rules set out by the government a minimum of one person onboard a yacht must have a VHF Radio license. If you ever find yourself… Read more

You never want things to go wrong, and in reality it is unlikely they will. But with a lot of skills when it comes to sailing, for your own personal safety and that of your crew, it is better to have them and not have to use them. This blog will be looking at First… Read more

For hundreds of years before the advent of GPS sailors navigated the ocean using only a sextant and heavenly bodies. From Polynesians to Phoenicians. Viking raiders of the 5th Century to pillaging Pirates of the 18th. All used forms of Celestial Navigation. Recently we’ve discovered Vikings even manage to reach the shores of North American… Read more

Sailing in heavy and bad weather is a vital skill to have on you sailing toolbelt. If you’ve never done it before it can be a challenging and daunting experience. Knowing what to do when faced with high winds and big seas gives you the skills and confidence to sail safely. This blog will answer… Read more

Over the last few blog posts I’ve been walking through the RYA course progression. Some courses offer a different experience in your learning journey, in what you learn and how you taught it.  With some focused on helping you gain experience and miles rather than teaching you. This blog focuses on one of these courses.… Read more