- Best footwear
- Closed, soft-soled and non-marking
- Best strategy
- Several light layers
- Always bring
- Hat, sunscreen and water
- Leave ashore
- Loose jewellery and valuables
Start with layers
Moving air over water makes a sailing boat feel cooler than the shore. Wear a breathable base layer, a warm middle layer when needed and a wind-resistant outer layer. Avoid cotton as the only warm layer because it stays cold when damp.
Shoes and sun protection
Wear enclosed shoes with a flexible, clean sole and good grip. A secure hat, sunglasses with a retainer and sunscreen matter even on cloudy days because reflection from the water increases exposure.
- bring a compact change of clothes
- use a small soft bag rather than a hard suitcase
- secure glasses and hearing devices
- ask whether waterproofs and lifejackets are supplied
- choose gloves only if the school recommends them
What not to overthink
Technical offshore clothing is unnecessary for most introductory lessons. Borrow school wet-weather gear if offered, learn which conditions you enjoy, and only then decide what equipment belongs in your own sailing kit.
Independently researched and reviewed
This guide is maintained by the SailingSchools.com.au editorial team. Training-body and regulatory claims are checked against primary sources where available; schools cannot pay to change the conclusion or their position in the directory.
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People also ask
Can I wear runners?
Usually yes, provided they are enclosed, secure and have clean non-marking soles.
Will the school provide a lifejacket?
A training provider should supply appropriate safety equipment, but confirm this before the lesson.
Should I bring sailing gloves?
They are optional for a first lesson. Well-fitting gloves can help on longer sessions, but they should not replace correct line handling.
Still working out where to start?
Three questions — your experience, the boat you want to sail, and your goal — give you a starting course and the schools that teach it near you.