Sailing Lessons for Seniors: All You Need to Know

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 sailing lessons for seniors, then look no further than our Competent Crew course. It’s a program specifically for beginners and is perfect for older adults who are seeking to learn for the first time or improve their sailing skills.

The 5-day course is conducted in a supportive and inclusive environment that emphasises your safety and enjoyment, with nobody getting left behind or feeling out of their depth.

There is no upper age limit with Competent Crew, and providing you have the mobility and agility to sail, you can take part, even with no sailing experience. During the course you will become a valuable addition to the crew, whilst learning the ropes of sailing and life on board.

You will eat and sleep on the boat, but we do moor up in different marinas each evening, with the occasional meal back on land.

If you are interested in sailing lessons (for seniors of all ages), here’s a brief overview:

• Minimum Pre Course Experience: None required.
• Ability after the Course: You will be a useful crew member!
• Course Content: Basic seamanship and helmsmanship.

What’s included:

• Sail handling
• Ropework
• Fire precautions and fire fighting
• Personal safety equipment
• Man overboard
• Emergency equipment
• Manners and customs
• Rules of the road
• Dinghies
• Meteorology
• Sea sickness
• Helmsmanship and sailing
• General duties

We understand the worries and questions you might have when booking sailing lessons as a senior. These can typically relate to safety concerns, physical limitations, confidence, adapting to new technology, comfort, and accessibility.

We asked Charlie (our Principal) to respond to the common questions he has been asked by seniors considering sailing lessons. Here’s what he said:

• You are not alone. We get plenty of people in their mid 60s and over coming to learn to sail with us.
• We also get a good number of people in their 50s, 60s and 70s wanting to do our longer trips to Norway and Atlantic crossings. Although those in the 70s that want to cross the Atlantic are usually people that have sailed a bit before.
• You don’t have to do anything you don’t feel uncomfortable with on our courses. As long as you are reasonably fit and agile, you’ll be fine
• Sailing is a sport for all ages and it’s never too late to start learning.
• You can book your own cabin, so you don’t have to share.
• Your crew mates will be like minded individuals who are also keen to learn to sail and their ages may range from thirty something to seventy something.
• Plenty of people start sailing in their retirement as it’s a lot of fun and has many health benefits.

We hope this has put your mind at rest. If we can help you book your first lesson, or you have more questions, please get in touch.

Posted by: First Class Sailing