Cornwall Marine Directory
Dinghy Sailing
Whether you want to explore sheltered creeks in the comfort of a Wayfarer with your picnic stowed aboard, or tear up and down wide estuaries in an asymmetric dinghy, you’ll find Cornwall, with its great sailing locations and network of marine support, second to none.
Sailing is often thought of as a sport for the well off or extremely committed – but it doesn’t have to be expensive and climbing into a dinghy has got to be one of the easiest and lowest cost ways of getting the pure thrill of sailing.
Dinghy sailing opportunities can be found in any of Cornwall’s sheltered estuaries where clubs compete on a regular basis pretty-much year-round. In the last decade or so, growth in the popularity of the sport has meant increased demand for affordable dinghies meaning advances in both manufacturing techniques and materials.
As a result there is an abundance of good quality new and second hand dinghies on the market, making this sport even more attractive to the beginner. For the uninitiated who want to try sailing, most of Cornwall’s sailing schools offer taster sessions which will get you on the water in safety and with a minimum of fuss. There are also a good many clubs where members should be only too pleased to foster your interest with information and advice.
For sailors with aspirations of sailing in larger yachts, dinghy sailing can provide an amazing introduction to the rules of racing and knowledge of the wind. Those vital things learned during the first few dinghy races will set a sailor in good stead for future sailing challenges.
The Carrick Roads provide one of Cornwall’s best training grounds for dinghy sailors – indeed the natural resources here with shelter and land on three sides, combined with the sheer size of the estuary, make these waters special on a world scale. On the western shore is Restronguet Sailing Club which has been the starting point for some of the best sailors in the world.
Looking at these ripe sailing waters it’s easy to see how it could fuel the thirst of Ben Ainslie whose life now combines competing in top sailing events. It was here that Ainslie honed the art of his sailing before going on to win three successive Olympic gold medals. He now helms one of the boats forming Emirates Team New Zealand’s challenge in the next America’s Cup.
Visiting dinghy sailors can either hire or bring their own dinghies with them and make the most of the facilities offered by members of Cornwall Marine Network.
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