Kit & Links
Kit
Sailing and windsurfing doesn’t require much specialist clothing, with the exception of a buoyancy aid (which can be borrowed) to participate. However for the more committed, some sailing clothing can bring added warmth and comfort, especially in the winter months.
For beginners, a waterproof coat and trousers will help you stay dry and will reduce the effects of wind chill. Avoid heavy clothing, and remember a spare change of clothes for when you go home!
During the first few weeks, we may have a limited supply of some kit items, which will be able to be borrowed from other club members, please remember to return such items.
Necessary Kit
- Wetsuit (long or short) – club rules say you cannot sail from the 1st of December to the 30th April without a full-length wetsuit or a dry suit.
- Buoyancy Aid – you must wear a buoyancy aid, when on water, at all times (applies to sailors and windsurfers). These can be borrowed from the sailing club.
- Footwear – Old trainers/shoes that you don’t mind getting wet!
- Waterproofs- this prevents heat loss by stopping the wind from blowing through any wet layers
Recommended Kit
- Wetsuit shoes/boots- The ideal choice of footwear for sailing or windsurfing. keeps your feet warm and protected.
- Wetsuit socks- Helps keep your feet warm.
- Rash vest- adds a layer under a wetsuit making it more comfortable and helps trap warmth.
- Spray top- The recommended windproof top, keeps you dry and keeps the wind off.
- Salopettes- A windproof and waterproof layer.
- A dry suit- Ideal for winter sailing, as it keeps your body dry even if you fall in. However unfortunately these do not come that cheap, so most will opt for a wet suit instead. Most loved by team racers
- Hikers – A bit like a wet-suit, but have batons added to the legs, so that they help you hike a lot easier (and longer). These are certainly not essential, but are often preferred particularly for those who race boats such as Lasers – However these do no conform to the wetsuit drysuit rule
- Windsurfer Harness-again, certainly not essential, but recommended for the more advanced windsurfers, particularly those who regularly race
- Sailing Harness – Only really needed if you are sailing a boat with a trapeze line attached unlike our Lasers 2 (although often not needed unless strong winds), Contender, 49er ect…
Brands
There are many different brands of sailing and windsurfing kit, which can vary hugely price.For sailing, Musto and Henri Lloyd tend to be near the expensive end but offer exceptional resistance to wear. Brands such as Gill, Rooster, Gul also offer some great sailing kit, more reasonable prices, just without some of the bells and whistles.
For Windsurfing, brands like O’neil and Billabong are recommended, as they allow less constraint to movement and keep you warm in the water.
There is also Decathlon, which offers a range of sailing/windsurfing kit, for great value for money, making a more student friendly entry to the sport.
Where to get it from
You can get sailing kit from many different websites, however, some of the main ones are listed below. Prices can vary quite a bit for some items, so be sure to check multiple sites before you buy. Also beware some websites charge postal charges. There is also Ebay, which can offers some great bargains, however often these items can vary hugely with condition, so read the item description carefully. often the price will reflect the condition.
Wetsuit Outlet (Free Postage!!)
Ebay (All ways some bargins to be had!!)
Useful Websites
A useful website for learning the racing rules of sailing
A very helpful website for understanding team racing
