How Old To Start Child Sailing?

The best age for teaching kids to sail is between 5 and 7 years old, when they have developed a decent level of understanding, coordination, and can follow safety instructions. However, sailing opportunities exist for children as young as 2 and as mature. It is best to wait until a child is between 8 and 10 years of age before sending them on a sailing course due to the level of attention required. On sailing courses, children will need to focus on instructions.

Youth sailing programs can be found at RCYC, which has a rich history of producing some of Canada’s best sailors. Wet Feet is a program designed for children ages 5-8, which helps them learn terminology, balance, basic boat handling, knots, and more. Sailing with kids and toddlers can be a great activity for the whole family, but it also takes time and patience.

The best age to start teaching kids to sail is typically between 6 to 9 years old. A child needs to have the ability to focus on instructions for a minimum of 15 minutes, possess some physical strength, and be able to swim. Some children would be better off waiting until they are 12 to 16, so they can be more mature about learning the science.

There is no exact age for when kids and children go sailing or start to learn. While there is no set minimum age for starting sailing, it is generally recommended that children be at least 7 to 12 years old. Children who start sailing at a young age can develop strong sailing skills. A local yacht club offers sailing lessons specifically for 8 to 10 year olds, taught by a couple of 16-year-olds.