TIPS FOR SAILING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Sailing with small children is about micro-adventures. For them, just being on the boat is an adventure in itself, and even travelling two miles from the marina can create lifelong, happy memories.

Planning is crucial for stress-free family sailing. We always know the forecast before we leave home, and set off with at least a loose plan for the weekend.

Knowing we’re all safe is paramount, and fundamental to this is a lightweight, comfortable lifejacket. Finding one that suits your child may require a bit of effort. But it’s worth it!

The correct clothing is also important. Cold children are miserable children. A great set of thermals, gloves, hat and some trusty, sturdy waterproofs is a must. Our boys have very clever Didriksons all-in-ones; they may seem pricey, but the seams inside are designed to be let down as the child grows, so they last and last. Our children have never, ever complained about being cold and we sail in December.

Get the children involved in the sailing. Again, this will take some planning and preparation, but they love having flags and rope to play with, and allowing them to helm when it’s safe to do so will delight and excite them.

The inflatable dinghy is the best toy of all. We tie ours on with a long line, stick the kids in wetsuits and buoyancy aids, and they spend hours happily rowing around, role-playing (some days they’re pirates, other days they’re off to save the oceans), looking for fish, or climbing in and out to swim and splash. And this isn’t just good fun. It also quietly develops great skills. Both boys can now capably climb in and out of the dinghy by themselves when we need them to.