Learning the basics is easy. Any accredited sailing school offers courses which will take you from a complete novice to a basic dinghy sailor in a couple of long weekends. All of the training is conducted in stable and safe boats, and is supervised by qualified instructors.

Many people who have taken part on courses have gone on to join a club and there's no doubt that these initial courses provide a great start to many years of enjoyable sailing. If you're not sure it's for you, then either visit a club on a Sunday and someone will take you out, or visit an annual open day.

If your dream is to skipper your own yacht, then learning to sail a dinghy is the best way to gain an appreciation of boat handling that will stand you in good stead.

Is this expensive?

Most sailing schools offer reasonable prices. Search the web or call your local sailing schools to get the best deal.

Will I get wet?

If you just do social sailing without leaving the jetty or marina, you'll probably stay dry unless it rains. In case of foul weather you can always retreat to the club house.

Only if you practice sailing as an active water sport would you get wet. Always bring a complete change of clothes for each outing. The day you forget your extra clothes is the day you get wet.

T-shirt and jeans and are fine on very warm days only to protect against sunburn. Beware, wet cotton cools you a fair bit. Some wear jeans over a wet suit to protect the delicate wet suit from deck fittings and other hazards.