Sailing

Sailing is the art of controlling a wind driven vessel. By adjusting the rigging, rudder and dagger or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails (main and/or jib) in order to change the direction and speed of a boat. Mastery of the skill requires experience in varying wind and sea conditions, as well as knowledge concerning sailboats. Today most people enjoy sailing as a recreational activity; almost 1,000,000 people take part in some form of sailing in the UK each year. Recreational sailing can be further divided into racing, cruising and "daysailing" or dinghy sailing.

The national governing body for sailing is the RYA. Visit their website at www.rya.org.uk