tips for adult beginner sailers and joining yacht club

[redmapleleaves1]

I'm in my late 50s, soon to be moving back to a thriving but not posh Welsh seaside town. I've been thinking about things I'd like to get involved in, and remember fun sailing (once or twice) with cousins. So I'm wondering about starting learning to sail, and joining the local yacht club. I'm a single woman and while I think this would be fun in the medium term, hanging round at social events on my own knowing no one all feels a bit out of my comfort zone in the short term.

I've thought of: in the next three months before the move, going swimming more, so I'm more confident swimming longer distances;
and signing up for beginners dinghy lessons once I've made the move. What would you recommend for to do now, or early on, to help me make the transition and get involved in a club like this in a new area? Thanks

Just noticed this thread. We used to belong to a sailing club when dd was secondary age and I'd love to get back into it but at 63 with some health issues DH isn't so keen now.

I guess sailing clubs vary but the one we went to was very friendly and welcoming. If I was you I'd find out when they're open (I think many clubs run at weekends during the season, often with kids clubs on Saturday, racing Sunday plus one evening - though coastal may be more tide dependent) - and just turn up, see who is about and chat.

Doing beginners lessons is definitely a good idea! If you've got holiday and money available you could maybe find a course somewhere before you move (I did the rya courses more than once over the years in the U.K. and on Nielsen type holidays).

Another thing I didn't do myself but may be worth considering if you like the club and want to get more involved is that they're often short of people who can drive the safety boats - they will very likely run some powerboat courses as well as sailing.

IME re swimming, you want to be confident in water - suddenly finding yourself bobbing around in the water if you do single handers! But you shouldn't really be needing to swim far - you'll always have a buoyancy aid or life jacket on and the advice is generally stay with the boat; if you capsize and can't right it and get back in you grab on somewhere and wait for rescue. Being stronger helps - mostly upper body and core. I found it very motivating for getting fitter and stronger.

@ErrolTheDragon thank you so much. Such a helpful, inspiring response. I had been feeling very daunted, and am now feeling, yes, I'll give it a go! Thank you (and hope writing it might have inspired you to return to it too.)

My pleasure! Embrace your inner Ratty and do some messing about in boats.

'Embrace your inner Ratty!' Love this. My motto for the next stage of life :)