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Sailing lessons are personal! You will spend hours in a small boat
on a large body of water learning skills, language, dexterity, in close
proximity with an instructor and a few other intrepid souls like you! Here's a semi-serious set of questions to get you thinking about who and where you should enroll with!
There are 4 key positions on a sailboat. More than 4 on board means the
others are waiting for their turn, you may only be getting 50% hands-on
time. If you want a long cruise, ask how much time is (usually) spent
under sail, the drone of that motor can really get to be annoying!
Dinghy or keelboat? dinghies, usually solo or max 2 sailors, require physical strength! Muscles and balance! Keelboats are suited to small families, open water, sleepovers, leisure cruises. Where do you want to sail when you get good enough? Around the lake at the cottage or around the world? Dinghy sailing will train you on wind and sail. Keelboat sailing on the Saint Lawrence will teach you to adjust to variable wind, currents and tides, all at the same time! Inquire about the complexity of maritime conditions. Besides,a dinghy is mighty tippy! you want a sailboat that sits well in the water when it is usually around 5°C mid-summer; or double a wetsuit with a drysuit...
Value your privacy or are you a locker room groupie? Schools offer live-aboard or daysailing to choose. Your sailboat will have living space about the size of your bedroom or living room. Ask how many on board during your session(s).
You will either be with a group sailing for pleasure and/or needing certification or specific skills. Check that you will be welcome aboard, no matter which one you fit into. Ask whether the school combines students of differing levels to maximise the sailboat occupancy rate; and if so, that you will get individual attention!
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