When you go sailing, it is essential you are comfortable and safe. Here is a helpful guide on what to wear.

We have wetsuits, spray tops and buoyancy aids at the club for you to borrow.

We generally sail from April – October depending on the weather. Remember it will always be colder on the water, even on a sunny day.

The items you will need include:

  • Swimsuit or trunks – nothing baggy.
  • Rash Vest – cuts down on chafing. 
  • Wetsuit – This will help to keep you warm. If you want to buy new, it is definitely worth trying on and getting advice before you buy to get the right fit and thickness. 
  • Spray top – A windproof spray top is a good idea to wear over your wetsuit if it gets windy. It protects you from inevitable spray from the boat and also from the wind chill, something a wetsuit doesn’t do very well.
  • Buoyancy aid – Under EU law they are all tested to provide 50N of buoyancy, so even a cheap one will still do the job. N.B They are different from a life jacket.
  • Sailing boots – You do not need anything expensive and beach shoes are OK, but boots do help keep the sand and stones out!
  • Sailing gloves – basic sailing gloves (fingerless) give better control of a wet rope and saves from blisters. These are probably the most lost item, and you can get away with fingerless sports gloves. 

Accessories

  • Polarised Sunglasses – cut down the glare of the sea and protects eyes from harsh sunlight. A strap or retainer will help prevent loosing them.
  • Hat – with a peak for summer to keep off the glare and protect your head face from sun and a warm bobble hat or neoprene beanie for spring or autumn. A hat clip will help prevent loosing your hat.
  • Sun cream – a must for pretty much all year. You can get a sunscreen sticks for extra face protection particularly noses.
  • Bottle of water – to keep you hydrated. Always important, especially on hot days.
  • Dry bag for all your kit – really useful as no water can get in or out.
  • Small dry bag for keys or lunches. If you enter competitions lunches will often be taken on the water so a small dry bag is ideal.
  • Dry clothes to change into to stop you feeling cold after a session
  • Towel

If you want to buy any of the specialist equipment, wetsuits, boots, buoyancy aids etc., we suggest you visit  Neptunes revenge who are very helpful and stock reasonably priced items.

Cleaning you're wetsuit

Rinse your wetsuit after every use. You can use bucket, bath or shower of cold, fresh, non-salty water. It not advisable to use a washing machine but you can pop it on a rinse and low spin or a hand-wash with a small amount of non bio if you’ve fall in something very stinky and that smell just won’t go away. Just do not do it too often as it can stress the seams, boots can also go in. You can get specific wetsuit cleaners.

Once you’ve completed the rinse, dry your wetsuit completely in-between sessions. Turn your wetsuit inside out and hang it, folded at the waist, over a strong hanger or washing line. Hanging your wet wetsuit from the shoulders will stretch it.

Avoid wearing your suit in chlorinated swimming pools

Don’t be tempted to:

  • Tumble dry
  • Iron
  • Bleach or use other strong cleaning products