"The journey is the reward", Confucius' philosophy seems to be tailor-made for sailors. The wording and meaning are spot on: according to the philosopher, contentment exists above all in the here and now. Anyone who associates happiness with reaching a goal will always need new goals and will hardly be able to enjoy the stimuli on the way there. The essence of the famous formula is that those who dare to set out have arrived.
Sailors will quickly agree. Whether it's an afternoon on a dinghy, a weekend on the regatta course or a voyage on a long-distance boat - whenever people are drawn to the water, they are hardly longing first and foremost for the final dinner on the club terrace, they are not usually eagerly awaiting the tension-filled finish line, they are hardly thinking first and foremost of the exhilarating adrenaline rush after weathering a storm. No. Those who set off are first and foremost longing to be underway.
So before happiness, there is only the departure. For beginners, however, who don't even know how to realise their dream of sailing, this is such a big hurdle that they often stop dreaming. But that doesn't have to be the case. The first step onto the water is easy to take and can be done in so many different ways that nobody really needs to stay on land and let their luck run out.
An overview of the ways to learn to sail:
Sailing clubs
The conventional entry for sociable people who like to share more than the boat
The classic route to sport offers more than just infrastructure and expertise. Some examples of good entry opportunities.
DSV
The German Sailing Association is the umbrella organisation for around 1350 sailing clubs, in almost all of which you can learn to sail even as a complete beginner. All clubs that explicitly organise sailing training are listed on the DSV website.
Cruiser department
The cruising sailors' training and further education programme also has something for those who want to acquire comprehensive theoretical knowledge before going on board.
ASV
Academic sailing clubs offer the ideal entry-level opportunity for students of all disciplines. There are ten in this country, spread across the whole of Germany. From first steps on a dinghy to challenging ocean cruises - there is a lot on offer here in terms of sailing as well as friendships.
SKWB
The sailing club Das Wappen von Bremen, a deep-sea sailing community, regularly offers sailing opportunities for beginners who do not have to come from the club or Bremen.
HVS
The Störtebeker sailing group of the Hamburgischer Verein Seefahrt is open to young people aged 17 and over who are interested in ocean sailing, even if they have no sailing experience.
KYC
The Kiel Yacht Club runs a training group for adult beginners. All standard sailing licences can be obtained here, from dinghies to ocean-going yachts.
Sailing schools
Voluntarily going back to school can be fun if the subject is right. Learning a new sport together in a group is motivating and energising
Nowadays, around half of all sailing licence holders have received their training at a commercial sailing school. The courses cover a manageable period of time and are therefore easy to plan, and the instructors are keen to get their aspirants through the exam well. This creates trust.
DSV
The German Sailing Association has listed the sailing schools it recognises on its website. They can be sorted by location, allowing you to quickly find your nearest sailing school. The association's name stands for the quality of the training centres, which are regularly inspected.
VDS
The Association of German Sailing Schools represents the commercial sailing schools that are members of it and claims to ensure the quality of their training. The schools can be found via a search function on the website.
VDWS
The counterpart for surfing and beach sailing schools is the Verband Deutscher Wassersportschulen e. V. (Association of German Water Sports Schools).
Delius Klasing
The online boating licence portal was created in cooperation between Delius Klasing Verlag and the VDS. Here, beginners can register for the most common boating licences. The training is self-directed. The theory is taught in a multimedia course on the computer, while the practice takes place at a local sailing school, which is also identified on the portal.
DHH
The German Ocean Sports Association Hansa is the absolute classic among sailing schools. At its locations in Glücksburg near Flensburg, on Lake Chiemsee and on Elba, the training institution, which is organised as an association, teaches sailing from the ground up. The courses on offer are customised for beginners, advanced sailors, children and young people, families, women or entire sailing clubs, school classes and even companies.
Berth charter
Getting started as a co-sailor is easy and intensive
A good way for beginners to find their way directly onto the water under expert guidance is to book a berth on a charter yacht. The providers often have themed trips in their repertoire and are also geared towards sailors who have never been on board before.
taster-sailing.com
Targeted offer for beginners who want to try out how sailing works and whether it is the right thing for them at all. Trips on certified ocean-going yachts and with experienced skippers, from Flensburg and Kiel.
KH&P
The charter agency from Stuttgart has sailing opportunities in the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and the South Seas in its standard programme.
Stuis trips
The provider specialises in berth charters and offers cruises in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the Azores and the Canary Islands.
Cream puff
The broad-based charter agency offers skippered cruises on the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean and in the Caribbean.
Schoenicke skipper team
This provider advertises with the slogan "Berth charter worldwide", but what makes it special is that it also offers trips with training, trips with children and other special offers.
Sailpoint
Numerous sailing opportunities in exotic waters can be found in the programme of this charter agency from Stuttgart.
"Charisma" and "Dantes"
The yachts from the Finnish luxury shipyard Nautor, a Swan 441 and a Swan 48, are used all year round for cruises in European waters, in the Caribbean and on the American east coast. The programme also includes special training courses.
"Peter von Seestermühe"
The classic among German berth charter providers. The Hochseeyawl is a regular guest at veteran regattas and the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Newcomers are always welcome in the numerically strong crew.
Classic dinghies on the Elbe
It could hardly be more exotic: antique travelling dinghies, which can even be booked from Wedel with a skipper and for trips lasting several days on the Elbe and its tributaries.
Charterer
The major charter companies also offer something for beginners
Charter companies are coming up with more and more ideas to attract beginners as customers. Flotilla cruises, fun regattas and special training courses - it's worth taking a look at what's on offer.
Yacht Week
The controversial event consists of a party week for young people. According to the organisers, the aim is to attract newcomers to charter yachts.
VDC
Certified providers can be found at the Association of German Yacht Charter Companies.
With offers for beginners:
The exotics
Paths onto the water are often not recognisable as such at first glance. About options that are not immediately obvious, but provide a good introduction
YACHT skipper training
The practical seminars, organised by YACHT staff, are also aimed at beginners. Women's training, gourmet cruises, mudflat sailing and much more. www.yacht.de/panorama/skippertraining.html
Start Boating
The nationwide campaign of the water sports industry starts for the first time this season and offers free taster trips. The target group is newcomers. www.start-boating.de
Sailing exchanges
If you sign up as a co-sailor, you can find out whether you are enthusiastic. Sail-along forums offer this opportunity. A well-frequented forum with a corresponding section can be found on our website: www.yacht.de
These are also currentprivately operated sailing exchanges:
Does the heart beat for theClassicsThere is also a special crew exchange for this:
www.fky.org in the forum
School Sailing Schleswig-Holstein
The educational sailing project from Schleswig-Holstein is aimed at schools that want to make sailing possible as part of lessons or projects. www.schuelersegeln-sh.de
Sailing camps
In some places, permanent sailing camps have been set up during the summer. In Kiel, Camp 24/7 is already in its 14th season. The programme ranges from taster sessions to sailing courses and is aimed at children and young people. www.camp24sieben.de
Sail Training
Beginners can also sign on to tall ships and realise their dream. A list of international and domestic traditional ships with training programmes:
www.sailtraininginternational.org
High Seas High School
Every year, the sailing classroom of the Herrmann-Lietz-Schule Spiekeroog takes 28 students on a seven-month transatlantic voyage. This special Year 10 programme is open to all applicants. www.lietz-nordsee-internat.de/de/high-seas-high-school
Friendship Cup
The harbour association Baltic Sailing starts the fun regatta once a year at various locations for owner-operated ships that are prepared to take newcomers on board. www.balticsailing.de/friendship_cup.html
Private lessons
Coaching on your own boat is increasingly being offered. If you want to buy first and then learn, you can also take individual lessons on your own keel. Three examples:
Professional skipperTim Kröger from Hamburg coaches and provides training on owner yachts. www.timkroegeryachting.com
Captain on a long voyage and sailing coachHilmar Knops has specialised in advising owners on board their ships. www.manoevertraining.de
Skipper and coachMeike Holland offers, among other things, sailing training for couples in which one partner is new to sailing. http://kurse-und-kursbestimmungen.de
Have the courage! - On, to and into the water
Organised by the Boot & Fun Berlin trade fair, 40 water sports clubs in the capital are offering free beginners' courses for schoolchildren from first grade to A-levels. In addition to sailing, almost all other water sports are also included. www.boot-berlin.de/DieMesse/TrauDich/
Hitchhiking
Hitchhiking across the oceans - more and more people are travelling the world with just their backpacks. Sailing yachts are a common means of transport. If you would like to start your sailing life in such a non-conformist way, you will find suggestions here. www.bruderleichtfuss.com
Club holiday
What began as entertainment in the first holiday resorts is now serious sailing training
The all-round carefree package is becoming increasingly popular. And rightly so. The holiday resorts are attractively located and offer active types of beach sailing.
Wildwind
Sailing centre on the beach of the Greek island of Lefkas. Various dinghies and catamarans are available for sailing courses.
Water sports Schattmaier
Hotel complex at the Ultramarin marina on Lake Constance. Sailing takes place on various keel yachts.
Sail & Surf Polliensa
This club, which has been operating successfully for decades, is located in the north of Mallorca and has its own flats and a wide range of keel yachts, dinghies and catamarans.
Stickl Sportcamps
Italian sports camp on Lake Garda with club hotel. Numerous open keelboats, dinghies, catamarans and various other water sports.
Elba Sailing Centre
Watersports centre on the popular Italian island. The large fleet includes keel dinghies, dinghies and optimists. Training and charter yachts are also available.
Sail & Surf Rügen
Sailing school with accommodation on the Strelasund opposite the Hanseatic city of Stralsund. Individual training programme on keel yachts, dinghies and catamarans.
East wind
Sports boat school with hotels in Hohwacht Bay on the Baltic Sea. We sail on various keel yachts, dinghies and catamarans.
