As we bid adieu to winter and welcome the spring, it’s time to start planning our enjoyment of the water. Whilst we all can benefit from the beautiful areas in which we live, some of us are lucky to consider the water as part of our everyday lives, yet there are many who have not, as yet, experienced the sheer joy of sailing in the coastal waters of our islands.

The RYA Start Yachting course can change that. Start Yachting does exactly what its title suggests, encouraging people to start sailing and, with the course over just two days, it’s often enough to convince, either way, if this activity is for them.

The syllabus is an easy one, focusing very much on the experience of sailing, with safety as paramount, and thus building confidence for when the sails catch the wind and the yacht heels gently to get into her stride. With no requirement to sleep onboard, the guest is under no pressure at all beyond enjoying the sunshine on their face, the breeze in their hair, and understanding the concept of how it all works.

The course has been created to encourage involvement, and there is a completion certificate to be awarded should the new sailor have experienced sailing the yacht, handling sails, some ropework and have an instinct for safety onboard. There is no requirement for any prior experience, nor assumed knowledge, and allows the instructor to show ‘why’ you sail as well as ‘how’. There is no minimum age requirement either and this provides a superb opportunity for a family to enjoy a new team building experience together, perhaps with a view to future family holidays spent on the water instead of by a pool.

Over the two days, the yacht itself, nautical terms, ropework, rules of the road, equipment onboard and safety will be covered. There will also be an early man overboard drill, or two, each day to show the procedures should there be an unfortunate falling in. Whilst prevention rather than cure is our motto, it is of huge benefit to all when this drill is shown. We do encourage life jackets to be worn during sailing and we always explain how the life jacket works whilst promoting the ‘useless unless worn’ statement.

At Aigua Sea School we will enhance the two-day experience further by sharing not only our love of the sea but a very fine Mediterranean style lunch onboard, reiterating the ‘why we sail’ objective of this course! What could be more perfect than a sail in the bay, anchorage for lunch, a swim in crystal clear waters before setting down to a cockpit banquet of fresh bread, salads and fruit, delicious locally sourced iberico ham, cold meats and cheeses, crispbreads with pates and nibbles of crisps and olives? There will always be a bottle of local wine chilling in the fridge but that’s for the end of the day, when the yacht is securely tied up in her berth, with sails flaked, saloon and galley tidied and it’s time to relax and chat over the achievements of the day.

The Start Yachting course is run over two consecutive days, day sailing from berths in either Marina La Llonja or Marina Naviera Balear. Maximum persons permitted is five with one fully qualified RYA Instructor. Prices from as little as €299 per person with discounts available for family groups.

For more information call the Aigua Sea School office team on =34 871 230 373 or visit our website www.aiguaseaschool.com. When booked please quote The Islander to secure the available discount for April bookings.