We cross the line first… …and 100 metres later we’re last
Sound familiar?
It’s not the start—it’s what happens next:
Clean air
Boat speed
A plan
Win the first 2 minutes, win the race
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/03/how-...
#Sailing #RaceTactics #DinghySailing #LearningToSail
Sailing term of the day: Cunningham It’s not just another rope — it controls where the power sits in your mainsail.
On rivers, a quick tweak can mean the difference between smooth progress and wrestling the boat.
pmrsailing.uk/sailing-less...
#SailingEducation #LearningToSail #DinghySailing
Best racing advice I’ve learned so far?
Don’t sail where the problems are.
Clear air beats perfect trim every time.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/02/lear...
#Sailing #DinghyRacing #LearningToSail #RiverSailing #LifelongLearning
Nearly every dinghy today uses a Bermuda rig.
But rivers aren’t the sea — shifty wind, trees, bridges, dead patches.
Is the “best” rig really best for river sailing?
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/02/near...
#Sailing #RiverThames #DesignThinking #LearningToSail #PMRSailing
The most essential bit of dinghy sailing kit isn’t sold in a chandlery.
It’s situational awareness — knowing what the wind, water and other boats are about to do next.
Especially on rivers.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/02/the-...
#SailingSkills #LearningToSail #RiskAwareness #DinghySailing
“In a 2-handed dinghy, the crew isn’t a passenger – they’re half the control system.”From balance and jib work to spotting gusts on a river, good crew work makes all the difference.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
#SailingLife #CrewRole #LearningToSail #DinghySailing #RiverThames
Small movements. Big gains.
Getting the seating position right in a sailing dinghy can transform performance — speed, balance, and control all improve before you even touch the sails.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/gett...
#LearningToSail #SailingSkills #DinghySailing #PerformanceSailing
Tacking and gybing feel terrifying…Until you practise them on dry land. No wind. No waves. Just muscle memory. Honestly, this is where sailing confidence is built.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/lear...
#LearningToSail #AdultLearning #SailingConfidence #LifelongLearning
Ever tried sailing without using the rudder?
Boats don’t actually need a rudder to turn – sail trim and balance do most of the work.
A brilliant exercise for river sailors
Full article on pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/sail...
#SailingSkills #LearningToSail #RiverSailing #ContinuousLearning
Your buoyancy aid should fit you — not just the label.
If you’re very small or very large, standard sizes often ride up, twist, or restrict movement.
Comfort = safety.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/choo...
#Sailing #SafetyAtSea #Watersports #LearningToSail
Buying a sailing dinghy is just the first step
The boat is only the beginning – trailers, sails, covers, ropes, safety kit and club fees soon add up.
Cheap hull ≠ cheap sailing.
Condition and completeness matter more than price
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/buyi...
#Sailing #LearningToSail
Sailing term of the day: The Forestay
It doesn’t get trimmed. It doesn’t get adjusted much. But without it… your mast won’t stay where you expect it to.
What is a forestay and why does it matter?
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
#SailingEducation #LearningToSail #pmrsailing
Smart buoys can now measure wind & relay live data across a race course.
Amazing tech — but should sailors be told where the pressure is strongest?
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/tech...
#Sailing #SportsTechnology #DataInSport #DecisionMaking #LearningToSail
You’ve learned to sail. You can tack, gybe, and get back safely. But you don’t want to race…
That’s not the end of the journey. It’s the start of your sailing.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/ive-...
#LearningToSail #LifelongLearning #SailingSkills #PersonalDevelopment #OutdoorLearning
Launching a Toura without slipping She’s a fantastic dinghy – but she’s heavy. On a slippery slipway, the winch isn’t optional, it’s essential.
Slow release, clear roles, no heroics. Gravity always wins.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2026/01/laun...
#SailingSafety #LearningToSail #RSToura
River racing isn’t about holding one perfect tack – it’s about choosing the next one.
Tacking lets you work the bends, and out-think the fleet.
On a river, tacking is the strategy.
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/12/why-...
#Sailing #RiverRacing #DecisionMaking #Tactics #LearningToSail
Laylines on a river are never straight.Bends, trees, banks and stream all move the goalposts. Commit too early and you’re pinned with nowhere to go.On rivers, laylines are moving targets — delay, observe, adapt
pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/12/how-...
#RiverSailing #LearningToSail
The sailing world is full of magical words. Take LUFF.
• It’s the front edge of a sail
• It’s what happens when you turn too close to the wind
• And that flapping sound?
The boat saying “nope”. pmrsailing.uk/sailing-less...
#SailingEducation #LifelongLearning #LearningToSail
“Ready to gybe?”
Too late… the boom already bit.
This week’s sailing lesson: never turn your back on a boom.
Full story pmrsailing.blogspot.com/2025/08/when...
#SailingFails #LearningToSail #BoomStrike #pmrsailing #SailingAt65 #RS_Toura
