If you have a passion for the water, but aren’t sure how to pilot a sailboat, now is the time to embrace your inner sailor and learn how to sail. Whether it has been a lifelong dream to sail the open waters or you are looking for a valuable activity for your children, learning to sail has many benefits including increased discipline, building strength and endurance, and a positive mentality.

If you are lucky enough to live near an open water space, learning to sail may be more than just an enjoyable activity; it could save your life. If you are tired of purely being a passenger, you can add to your skills by learning to sail. Once you have the basics down, you will be able to sail nearly any type of craft.

When you learn to sail, you will gain more than just the knowledge of how to raise the Far East Sails. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits of learning to sail for the whole family.

Builds Strength and Endurance

While sailing can be relaxing, you can also get a good workout when you are onboard. From hoisting and trimming sails to hiking jibes, your muscles will be tested to the limit. For children and teens, it is a great experience with some rewarding hard work. You need to move and react quickly when you are sailing and these actions can help to improve your hand-eye coordination. The workout that you get sailing can help to maintain or improve your cardiovascular health.

Positive Mentality

Spending your leisure time on the water can help to lift your spirits and release pent up anxiety. It has been said for decades that just being near the water and the waves can help to relax your body and spirit.

Minerals found in ocean air create negatively charged ions that fight free radicals in the body and boost your immune system. Salty air can also regulate the levels of serotonin and melatonin in the body resulting in a lifted mood. If you are looking for a rewarding activity for your kids to participate in, sailing could be the answer.

Learn Teamwork

While it is possible to solo sail, most journeys into the waves will be a team effort. Working together towards one goal is crucial when it comes to sailing. Working on a team that has specific positions is a great way for younger sailors to learn about discipline and how to trust their teammates. When you are forced to work as a team on a sailboat, you learn about the respect that is necessary to work effectively. Many businesses use sailing lessons to help unite their sales teams to work together more efficiently.

Affordability

There are many sailing camps and instruction opportunities that are affordable for nearly any budget. You can choose to take a course with other sailors in a class, or hire an instructor to work with you privately on your own schedule. Children’s sailing camps can be less expensive than soccer or football activities. The great thing about taking lessons is that you don’t need to buy your own boat to enjoy being out on the water. Crafts are provided for all lessons, and once you master the masts, you can think about buying your own craft.

Plotting

To be a good sailor, you will need to be aware of many factors at the same time, including the condition of the water, the tides, wind speeds, incoming weather, and routing. As a sailor, you need to be constantly aware of the environment around you. You will learn how to plot a course, take evasive action, and act quickly in a crisis. These skills can extend out into your normal life and help you navigate other areas of your world.

Math and Science

If you advance into sailboat racing, you will need to be able to calculate your routes and changes quickly. You will need to take wind directions, boat speeds, and turning angles into consideration when you make your moves. Sailing requires more than just brute strength and knowledge of sail materials. For kids, sailing is a great opportunity to expand their current mathematical knowledge and give them real world experience. When you are racing, all of your skills will be tested to the limits. Without the right mathematical and scientific skills, you will end up off course and at the back of the pack.

People have had the compulsion to explore the vast waters of the world for a thousand years. If you or your child are interested in learning to sail, you will be embarking on a grand adventure. Consider these benefits of learning to sail, and sign up for your lessons today.