For The Love Of Sailing

Here at WSO we love our watersports, we have among us Surfers, Paddleboarders, Divers, Kayakers, Windsurfers, Kitesurfers and Sailors like me.

My sailing life began at the age of 13, Dad decided to buy a small dinghy and needing a crew he enlisted me (smallest child) and I am very glad he did. My earliest memory is of our first sail on the Blackwater in Essex, a very early morning start in calm conditions sailing a Heron. We moved on to a Mirror dinghy, sailing happily together for many years until I was lured into the world of faster, racier craft. I married a fellow sailor and competitive 470 dinghy racing with him followed.

Subsequently our children learned to sail at a young age, my son successfully competing in the Feva National Squad and my daughter crewing for her Dad in club racing - thus bringing things full circle. I cannot recommend highly enough the wonderfully inclusive world of dinghy sailing. Our small yacht club is an amazing nurturing place with a great community feel. We have made friends for life there.

I started sailing at a time of ‘proper’ boat shows and Earls Court London was a spectacular and colourful place to be during a cold, grey January. I had the pleasure of meeting the sailor Clare Francis there (her book Come Hell or High Water is still a favourite) and remember being totally inspired and enthralled at how this petite woman had raced solo across the Atlantic. I was able to take part in some yacht sailing and racing myself later (on a much smaller scale!) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Just being on the water is such a joy on boats - be they big or small.

Recently I was fortunate to be invited by Henri Lloyd to travel to Portsmouth for some great clothing training and to sail on a Clipper Round The World Yacht. What an opportunity! We had a fantastic afternoon on the Solent and it has reignited my love of sailing. Like many other women I suspect, my own sailing life had been on hold while my children were growing up, but now with summer coming, great sailing gear to choose from (the latest wetsuits and waterproofs are a world away from those I used to wear), I am going back into the sport that I love. Perhaps you will join me.

See you on the water!

WSO Team Member - Gill Purdon