So, you’re looking for “sailing lessons near me” in Newcastle, Tynemouth, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats or nearby places – and you want to learn to sail? Great choice – its good exercise, stimulates the brain – and gets you outdoors. You’ll love it ! And Tynemouth is an interesting place to sail.
We’re a small and friendly group & want you to enjoy your introduction to sailing at Tynemouth – in the River Tyne estuary (and occasionally out at sea). If you live in the area – or are at University nearby – we are a convenient coastal sailing location for learning to sail. This page should help you to start sailing, so join us, learn to sail & have fun on (and off!) the water: it’s easier and cheaper than you think.
If you have sailed before, we would be delighted to welcome you to the club – whether for a chat, or to restart your sailing. Sunday morning coaching sessions for returners and improvers might be a great way to get back into the sport if youve been away from it for a bit. Sundays from March to September. We have all the gear you’d need.
See this link from the BBC about starting to sail.
We typically run a “discover sailing” open day in May, followed by the two key Royal Yacht Association RYA courses – level 1 & 2 , typically run in June / July across 5 saturdays, for a total cost of £370 (2022 price) which includes membership for the balance of the year – see here for what you can expect from the membership.
We have a facebook page – here – for those that want to engage with us on that platform
There are many routes to becoming a regular sailor; a couple of these are shown below
- Do a taster day, RYA1, then RYA 2 courses in early summer year 1 then weekly coaching on Sunday mornings plus some ad hoc social sailing. Then year 2 transition to sailing independently with more Sunday coaching and maybe adding some racing
- Come along with a friend that has a 2 person boat & “crew” for them – you’ll learn lots, including how to turn a capsized boat back over (a fairly common occurrence, but not dangerous when you have the right gear)
You should expect to get wet each time you sail – you don’t always / often capsize, but it’s regular enough when you learn to sail that you should dress to suit: warm but quick drying stuff that is also windproof is ideal, as is a peaked cap on sunny days & some sailing gloves to protect your hands.
The club has some gear you can borrow if you are just checking if you are interested – wetsuits & bouyancy aids. And if you are reasonably competent (eg have RYA2), there are Laser 2000’s, Enterprises, Feva’s, Lasers and Toppers that are available for hire on our Spond site on a typical beginners coaching session we will get you afloat somehow
If you do get grabbed by the sailing bug, there are typically details of a small number of boats for sale on the notice board or on the site, and there is plenty of help and advice available to help you buy.
Typical session:
- Remove cover, Rig the boat 20-30 minutes.
- Drag the trolley & boat near to the water, go & get changed. (2 changing rooms, secured whilst sailing)
- put the boat in the water (wet feet, up to thigh high, maybe more), put trolley on the beach (this piece often easier in pairs)
- Sail! 1 to 2 hours (ish)
- Come back tired but happy, drag the boat up the beach (can be a long way at low tide) de-rig, add covers.
- Change out of wet stuff / shower (recently renovated showers) / Retire to clubhouse bar for a pint on Sunday afternoons & Wednesday nights.