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 (once you are subscribed) 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.