Kids Dinghy sailing - youngest age to start

[AlexL]

Anyone got any realistic suggestions for what age kids can start dinghy sailing? I've recently read reports of some of our olympic hopefuls having started aged 4. (i'm not suggesting my boys are of that standard, just that someone has obviously done it in the past!)
Does 4 sound reasonable? and i'm guessing thats in something pretty simple?
Most of the holiday clubs and RYA courses seem to stipulate more like 6 or 7 but I figure thats more for liability reasons rather than whether or not its actually possible.
Also what is a good dinghy magazine to read, and anyone know any decent clubs to go talk to about this in the essex area (i'm guessing burnham is probably the place, but not sure which club)

 

[nathanlee]

My dad taught me to swim at 4, in the pool at RNAS Culrose as it happens. The next week I took myself up to the highest diving board and threw myself off it.

If somebody had given me a boat I would have quite happily gone to sea in it, I'm sure.

My point is, if they can do it, and enjoy it, and you are there to make sure they are safe, then who cares what age they are.

Best of luck to them from me, I say, and let's hope that first capsize produces laughter and not tears! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[SirSnoozalot]

You've a choice of clubs in that area Alex. Marconi at Stansgate, Blackwater at Heybridge Basin, Corinthian at Burnham all have good reputations in that area.

 

[Searush]

Take him out in something you sit in rather than on. Like an Enterprise or a Mirror rather that a Laser or Topper. Let him pull the jib sheets a bit. talk to him about what is going on & what you are doing. Then let him use the tiller, with you handling the sheets. Just keep explaining what is happening 7 why.

Then get him an Optimist & let him rip!

 

[AlexL]

he's 3 and a bit at the moment, been swimming, sailing in our boat and flying in a light aircraft from about 3 months, so he's no stranger to adventure!

However I want to make sure i'm not trying anything too early as it is likely to frustrate all of us. He'll be 4 at the beginning of next season so I figure I'll start scouting around then, but I just want to get a feel of what people consider to be do-able.

 

[tomdroyal1980]

I was sailing at three and don't regret it. Get the lad started ASAP. Probably useful to get him swimming as much as possible so he enjoys, rather than fears, a good dipping.

 

[wooslehunter]

My 2 are learning in Oppys here in Emsworth where we're lucky to have a millpond to start them on. The youngest is 6 & he's now happy sailing his oppy around the millpond. His brother sails his oppy around the harbour with the rest of th ekids from the club. Both staretd at 5-6 ish.

But whatever you do, make sure he's enjoying himself & doesn't get scared.

 

[Searush]

My mate at the project takes hie 2 year old mountain biking - at full pelt, on a bike seat. The lad thinks it's brilliant. Boys that young seldom have any fear at all. Provided you don't react badly when summat goes wrong (as it will) he will continue to trust dad to sort it all out.

Worst thing that can happen is somebody panicking & making a lot of fuss. Basically, keep the Nan's well away!

 

[Cornishman]

Many years ago I knew a couple who took the baby with them when they went cruising. Their only complaint was that the little lad's baby chair was something else to see to when they tacked! They tried to invent a self-tacking chair, but failed before he grew up to be old enough to do it for himslef.

On a more serious note I recall another discussion similar to this about French kids sailing Oppies in groups at ages around 4 or 5, although they haven't done any better than Team GB at recent Olympics have they?

 

[seumask]

We are keen sailors and have had out kids out in our Gull dinghy (more comfortable than the mirror for adults) from the age of 1 year on. The eldest is now 5 and knows how to pull the ropes in and which side to sit on, he is now getting the hang of steering. When he gets more intrested we hope to graduate up to a Tera (because I'm allergic ot Oppies), I reckon that will be next summer. Good to have a sit in dinghy they can climb around it with less concern from the parents IMHO. The younger one currently 2 seems to be taking things on a lot faster and may do all of this a year or two quicker. Important thing is to make it fun, not long and booring, things we do are trips to find the seamonsters, use of the 2 hp engine, pirates, treasure Islands, picknicks etc. They have both been crew on our small yacht from the age of several weeks.

 

[Boat44]

I think the above are all good suggestions
- take him out in a dinghy and play around
- explain what is going on and get them to do "stuff" obviously big important jobs!!
- make it fun
- take the attitude "isn't this what everybody does"
- if you are relaxd and think something is normal so will they

My daughter is just four and whilst I will be thinking of a oppie for next year she has been out sailing since 1 month. She now likes "helming" something more akin to sawing I would say, and keeps asking to take the inflatable dinghy out when we moor up.

Still be good when she can so she can get me from the pub to the boat. Better still when she can grind a winch!

 

[Salty]

Our local club likes them to have started school before they'll take them into the cadet section - the logic being that they're used to taking instruction from someone who isn't mum and dad and can start to have the basics explained to them - otherwise they spend all their time pointing into the wind wondering why they're not going anywhere. If younger than five, say, spend the time making sure they're happy and confident swimmers.