Flamingo of rye

[Flamingo of rye]

Hi there, does any of you know how to tackle this one: I am planning to go for sailing courses and hopefully sail from Uk to France cross the channel twice this year (for now), problem is my wife doesn’t know how to swim, any of you know if non swimming people can enjoy sailing and what should I keep in mind before doing it?

[billknny]

In case you haven't noticed, the entire objective of good seamanship and good sailing is to NOT go swimming!

I have been sailing keelboats for 30 years. Never once have I, or anyone on any boat I was in charge of, ever gone swimming except by choice.

If she wears a lifejacket, she will be safer than anybody who CAN swim and eschews the safety gear.

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by billknny

In case you haven't noticed, the entire objective of good seamanship and good sailing is to NOT go swimming!



I have been sailing keelboats for 30 years. Never once have I, or anyone on any boat I was in charge of, ever gone swimming except by choice.



If she wears a lifejacket, she will be safer than anybody who CAN swim and eschews the safety gear.

Fair point, never looked at it that way, always looked at it through my wife’s eyes: “I can’t even swim, how am I gonna sail, as nice as it is?” glad I asked this today. Thank you, hope all this can give her some confidence.

[skipmac]

Have you thought about swimming lessons? My 2 1/2 year old granddaughter is taking lessons so I'll bet your wife could do it.

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Have you thought about swimming lessons? My 2 1/2 year old granddaughter is taking lessons so I'll bet your wife could do it.

I did but never got her to start, she’s quite shy and going for swimming lessons with the kids at our local swimming pool will be a bit hard, will try to persuade her a bit more.
We live in London, never enough time!!

[Mirage35]

OT but can’t resist telling the story. My wife (before we met) didn’t learn to swim until an adult; after she completed her first lessons a friend gave her a challenge - now take a sailing course.

I was the instructor on her first live aboard course, and we’re still sailing (and occasionally swimming) together 30-some years later.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Flamingo of rye

I did but never got her to start, she’s quite shy and going for swimming lessons with the kids at our local swimming pool will be a bit hard, will try to persuade her a bit more.
We live in London, never enough time!!

Should be some kind of health club or pool somewhere in London where she could get lessons without a crowd of kids. What about teaching her yourself? Basic treading water is as simple as it can get. Back stroke is also very easy and she wouldn't have to put her head under water, same with a breast stroke. She doesn't need to swim like Michael Phelps, just enough to paddle around a gain a bit of confidence on the water.

[Pegu Club]

You might try taking lessons together, making it a “date” thing, then go out for a cocktail after each lesson, could be great fun. Just a thought...

[chris mac]

If she doesn't want to do lessons with all the kids, ask about private lessons. Typically (at least where I live) private lessons are relatively cheap.
Our kids weren't doing well in group lessons, so we looked into one on one. Once you factored in that they could learn so much quicker, the overall cost was about the same.

[LittleWing77]

Until then, Flamingo,

Get her an auto-inflate life jacket and harness so she can put it on over her boating gear before putting one toe on the dock and/or boat.

You might also set up Jack lines, bow to stern, so she can clip on and move freely up and down the boat, should she so choose.

These new auto-inflate jackets are not cumbersome at all and do provide much-enhanced peace of mind!

I have used the Crewsaver brand for 20 years and it actually did save my life once. Here's a link to a UK retailer that sells them:

https://www.force4.co.uk/department/...e-jackets.html

Fair winds,
LittleWing

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by LittleWing77

Until then, Flamingo,

Get her an auto-inflate life jacket and harness so she can put it on over her boating gear before putting one toe on the dock and/or boat.

You might also set up Jack lines, bow to stern, so she can clip on and move freely up and down the boat, should she so choose.

These new auto-inflate jackets are not cumbersome at all and do provide much-enhanced peace of mind!

I have used the Crewsaver brand for 20 years and it actually did save my life once. Here's a link to a UK retailer that sells them:

https://www.force4.co.uk/department/...e-jackets.html

Fair winds,
LittleWing

Thank you very much, we have the vests already will need to change the cartridges, will invest in a harness.

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by chris mac

If she doesn't want to do lessons with all the kids, ask about private lessons. Typically (at least where I live) private lessons are relatively cheap.
Our kids weren't doing well in group lessons, so we looked into one on one. Once you factored in that they could learn so much quicker, the overall cost was about the same.

Thanks will check with the local swimming pool.

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by Pegu Club

You might try taking lessons together, making it a “date” thing, then go out for a cocktail after each lesson, could be great fun. Just a thought...

Quite romantic, I like that.

[Flamingo of rye]

Originally Posted by AnglaisInHull

OT but can’t resist telling the story. My wife (before we met) didn’t learn to swim until an adult; after she completed her first lessons a friend gave her a challenge - now take a sailing course.

I was the instructor on her first live aboard course, and we’re still sailing (and occasionally swimming) together 30-some years later.

That is a great story, really building confidence now.

[SuW]

I can swim well, but even I wear an inflatable life jacket all the time when underway above decks. I've never fallen overboard, but even good swimmers can easily drown when encountering very cold water, and encumbered by heavy clothing or debris...

The main thing to focus on is floating. Swimming is sometimes overrated as a means of self-rescue in deep water.

Since you are in relatively cool climate, "float coat" type waterproof gear that fishermen use around here would keep her warm, dry and safe.

We were once in a sailing course in the Virgin Islands. One of the instructors jumped overboard while the boat was at full speed to allow us to practice man-overboard drill. We weren't very good and it took a long time to get him back on board. He was very cold by the time we did. Silly sod.