My first time sailing: Tips from what to wear to how to prepare

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Learning to sail has always been a dream of mine. There’s something about being on the water that makes me feel so free. I’ve romanticized life ticking by on a sailboat — going from A to B with little worry, my next meal coming straight from the sea. In reality, sailing across oceans is no easy feat; it’s a mixture of danger, relaxation, monotony and euphoria and an emotional rollercoaster ranging from elation to fear of the unknown. Through it all, there is a deep connection with nature, the ocean and the species that inhabit it.

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Before buying a boat and sailing across the Pacific, I needed lessons. Luckily, I live in Squamish, B.C., the meeting point between the towering Coast Mountains and glistening Howe Sound, a deep-water fjord. This is the perfect intersection of wind, water and land, creating thermal winds, a funnel effect and consistent pressure systems built for sailing. Squamish comes from the First Nation word Skwxwu7mesh, which means “Mother of the Wind” and “people of the sacred water.” It’s also the home of InFlow Adventure Co., a windsports company offering first-time to expert sailing instruction. 

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I decided to start with three social sailings to get my feet wet, literally and figuratively. After a quick but thorough “in-class” session learning about the area, the winds and what to expect on the water, I got to work in InFlow’s 19-foot keel boat. My fellow crew members were mostly beginners, but the expert guidance of our instructor, Will Morris, had us steering the tiller, using halyards and sheets to raise our sails and tacking and gybing in no time  I had such a great experience out on the water that I’ve decided to progress to my ASA 101 — meaning that dream of sailing across oceans may not be so far out of reach.

I sat down with Morris to get his beginner tips, advice on what to wear during a day on the boat and what’s next for InFlow.

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Q&A with Will Morris from InFlow Adventure Co.

Q: Who are you?

A: Hi! I’m Will from InFlow Adventure Co. I have been sailing all my life, introduced to it by my mom at a very young age. I have a passion for all facets of sailing; however, my focus for the last 20 years has been on teaching and racing. I’ve competed all around the world and hold several National Championship wins. Sharing the skills I’ve learned through my time sailing is what I find most rewarding. Showing that sailing is a sport for all ages and walks of life is important to me. 

Q: Tell us about your business.

A:Inflow Adventure Co. is an adventure company rooted in bringing people into the flow state through high-sensation adventure sports like sailing and wing foiling. We develop competency in our clients through expert instruction, while connecting with the community and making time to rest and recover from our hectic day-to-day lives.

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Q: What are your top three tips for someone new to sailing?

1. Learn the ‘language’ of sailing. Sailing has a whole set of unique terms; learning them will allow you to communicate clearly and calmly on a sailboat. This is a must to build competency.
2. Get structured instruction from expert coaches. While it is very possible to learn to sail without formal instruction, your learning will be accelerated by receiving structured coaching. Even the most advanced sailors can develop gaps in their knowledge and poor technique without the right guidance.
3. Time on the water. The more time you can spend sailing, the better you will become. There is no substitute for experience. 

Q: What are the best things to wear for a day on the sailboat? 

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• Sun Protection! Mineral sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt. Long days in the sun are hard on your skin.
• I love my salopettes. I have several different kinds from brands such as Zhik and Helly Hansen. Salopettes are a waterproof, foul-weather set of sleeveless overalls. These are a go-to in my kit all season for keelboat sailing.

Q:What are your favourite sailing gear and apparel brands and why?

A: We currently run gear from brands such as Helly Hansen, Zhik and Mustang Survival. Good quality, breathable, foul-weather gear is essential for sailing on the West Coast when you can be exposed to the elements for long periods of time.

Q: What’s next for InFlow?

A: We’ve recently launched a floating sauna in Howe Sound — the first of its kind in the area. We take customers over on our boat, or offer the option of BYOB (bring your own boat) for those who can. We’ve also launched wing foiling coachingand a gear shop to outfit water-loving adventurers. We plan to keep expanding into more activities,  while growing our current programs and putting on quality events for the community. All with the same premise of adventure, rest and connection.

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Gearing up for the water

Once I’d lined up my lessons, I knew I had to find the right gear to keep me warm, dry and protected out at sea. Along with the salopettes I borrowed from the InFlow crew (I believe they were the Zhik Offshore Sailing Salopettes — they did a fabulous job of keeping me warm and dry), below are the pieces I wouldn’t leave home without.

Helly Hansen HH Tech Crew Long Sleeve 2.0 ($45) — The perfect baselayer, rated UPF 50 for sun protection and lightweight and breathable for warm days on the water. Ultra-breathable and moisture-wicking. 

Helly Hansen Deck Tough Sailing Tights ($180) — Designed specifically for the needs of sailers, these tights offer optimal mobility when moving around the boat with four-way stretch, articulated knees, crotch gusset and fabric reinforcements in all the right spots.

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Helly Hansen Koster Windbreaker ($130) —An ultra-light windbreaker, perfect for summer days and nights as protection against wind, light rain (or ocean spray) and sun. A great layering piece I wore over the tech crew and under the vest when it got chilly.

Helly Hansen Crew Vest 2.0 ($150) — Ideal as a final layer for spring or summer sailing, as the sun goes down and you’re looking for a little more protection and warmth for your core. Arms are free for rope handling, steering and tinkering with other things on the boat. Waterproof, windproof and breathable.

Mustang Survival Elite 190 Inflatable PFD ($380) — The Mercedes-Benz of life jackets. This inflatable PDF has every single bell and whistle. It’s approved by Transport Canada and is loaded with safety features to keep the wearer above water in the worst possible conditions, including turning the wearer face-up while providing head support and dissipating incoming waves.

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Teva Original Universal Sandal ($56) —These classic Tevas are perfect for watersports, thanks to the webbing closures and shock-absorbing, waterproof EVA footbeds. They’re comfortable, breathable, non-slip and don’t leave marks on the boat.

MEC 20L Brooks Dry Bag ($46) — A PVC-free dry bag that fits all of your important gear, like phone, wallet, keys and a change of clothes. It’s durable and accessibly priced, with sizes ranging from 5L up to 55L.

RUX 70L Gear Box ($370) — A gear box designed to fit everything for a full-day or multi-day adventure at sea. It’s weatherproof and durable, with a lifetime guarantee. It collapses down flat when not in use to save space on the boat and has multiple carry modes (like tote or backpack) to make transport from land to water worry-free.

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