The mental challenge
This may not be something you’ve previously considered but learning to dinghy sail provides a great way to stretch your brain - challenging it to solve new problems and absorb new information. There aren’t many jobs that demand an understanding of wind direction or to be able to determine the difference between a tack and a gybe, so you’ll be stepping into a whole new world of terminology and learning how to harness the power of nature at the same time!
On an ‘Introduction to dinghy sailing’ course, accredited by the Royal Yachting Association, the learning begins on dry land. You’ll learn how to rig your boat (this could be a single handed boat or one you sail with a crew) and your Neilson instructor will introduce you to the various parts that make up a small boat such as the mast, main sail, hull, rudder and tiller. Heading out onto the water, under the supervision of your instructor and you’ll progress to learning about how to handle your boat, the impact of the wind direction at any given point and how to follow a pre-determined course around the sailing area. You’ll be learning through experience, a great way to improve your cognitive prowess and you’ll soon find that the thrill of being out on the water is well worth the mental effort required to learn a new skill!
