Beginner's guide to sailing

How do I get started with sailing?

Einstieg ins Segeln - Foto: © Hanse Yachts

Even if your ultimate goal is to sail on the coast, it's a good idea to learn dinghy sailing first. These small, light boats allow beginners to learn some of the finer points of sailing. I would like to sail — how do I get started?

Copyright @ Silke Krüger | Unterbacher See

The Basic Sailing License
Legally, no official licence is required for sailing, except in Berlin and on Lake Constance (Bodensee). However, proof of competence is required on several inland waterways. It is best to check directly with the local authorities or watersports schools to find out if such proof is necessary.
You can obtain a basic licence for dinghy or catamaran sailing. The course to earn this licence covers fundamental skills with a strong practical focus and minimal theory, providing a solid foundation for your sailing career.
With this licence, you can rent dinghies or catamarans on many bodies of water, except in Berlin and on Lake Constance.

Inland sailing
If you’ve caught the sailing bug and want to build on your basic knowledge of sailing on inland waters, the next step is to obtain the Sport Boat Licence for Inland Waters (Sailing). Introduced in 1989, this licence replaced the DSV’s A-Licence.
In some inland sailing areas in northern and central Germany, a Sport Boat Licence for Inland Waters (Sailing) is mandatory. It is also required for windsurfing on Berlin’s waters.

Interview with Silke Krüger from Unterbacher See

Passion for the water: Silke Krüger from Segelschule Unterbacher See knows how to make starting out in sailing easy: her approach is practical and personal, with great attention to detail.

In this interview, she reveals what beginners should pay attention to, and explains why a passion for sailing often begins with the first manoeuvre.

More information about the Unterbacher See sailing school (in German)

I'm interested in learning how to sail. Can you tell me where I can find help or a course?

We recommend a recognised sailing school. Their trained instructors will quickly teach you the secrets of sailing! It's important not only to sail along for hours, but also to gain hands-on experience yourself. Ask about trial lessons or visit an open day at a sailing school.
Once you have obtained your sailing licence, practice is key. Sailing clubs and boat rental companies near you are great places to continue learning and gaining experience.

Which basic sailing techniques should I definitely learn as a beginner?

It's important to always know where the wind is coming from, as it acts as both your accelerator and your brake! If the wind is coming from the front, you can stop the boat. To reach a destination against the wind, you need to learn how to 'tack', which allows you to get there indirectly.
Depending on your course relative to the wind, you must trim the sail so that it is filled properly by the wind.
The first manoeuvre you should learn is the 'tack' – a change of direction where the bow turns through the wind until the sails switch to the other side.

What do I need to know about wind conditions and how they influence sailing?

When you start sailing, your awareness of the weather changes, and you begin to perceive the wind in a whole new way. In a dinghy, you immediately feel any increase in wind: the boat either picks up speed or heels over to one side. In calm conditions, the boat simply stops moving.

What steps can I take to ensure my safety on the water, even in changing weather conditions?

Always wear a life jacket or ensure that you have one on board. The risk of capsizing on a dinghy increases in the event of sudden weather changes and wind speeds of around 5 Beaufort. In such cases, you can reduce the sail area or take down the jib. Always observe warning notices specific to the body of water you are on.

Coastal Sailing
As always, a solid foundation is essential. The basic skills learned in dinghy sailing can be transferred to sailing yachts. The Association of German Sports Boat Schools (VDS), for example, offers a Basic Certificate for Sailing Yachts, focusing on practical, hands-on training in the fundamentals of yacht sailing.
The next step to sailing along the coast is to obtain the Sport Boat Licence for Coastal Waters (SBF See). This is a prerequisite for the Coastal Skipper Certificate (SKS), which provides in-depth training in offshore sailing. The SKS replaced the BR Certificate in 1999. During the theoretical training, you will expand your nautical knowledge and learn the fundamentals of offshore sailing.
If you are planning to become an offshore sailor, it is usually more cost-effective to book the SBF See and SKS theory courses together (as a combo course).

Learning by doing
You can easily start your Coastal Skipper's Certificate (SKS) training by doing the practical part first. One great way to do this is to join a crewed sailing trip. During a one- to two-week voyage on the Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean, the North Sea or the IJsselmeer, you will experience the beauty of offshore sailing for yourself! At the end of the trip, you even have the option of taking the practical SKS exam. You then have up to 24 months to complete the theoretical exam.
However, with this approach, you must first obtain the Sport Boat Licence for Coastal Waters (SBF See).

How can I find the right training centre?
Ideally, you should complete your water sports training at a recognised sailing or yachting school. Advantages include good service, better equipment and teaching materials, a broader range of courses and instructors who are trained in teaching methods and subject matter. It's also important that courses are offered regularly. If you are unable to take the exam as planned, it is helpful if you can rejoin the course at any time. The German Sailing Association (DSV) conducts exams and recommends certified training centres. These schools adhere to recognised DSV standards. If you are dissatisfied for any reason, you can file a complaint with the DSV.

What else should I look out for?
Start by attending a free, non-binding information session or trial lesson. Pay attention to the general atmosphere, as well as the teaching materials and tools being used. Make sure you ask for a full breakdown of all the costs involved. As well as the course fee, you may need to pay for exams, travel expenses for examiners and charges for using the boat during the test, similar to a driving test. You may also need to purchase learning materials, books, official question booklets and navigation tools, as well as covering the cost of a required medical examination.

Key questions to clarify in advance:

Is practical training for the SBF Sea included in the course fee?
Can you retake the course for free if you have to pause it for personal or professional reasons?
When does the next course start?
Are combo courses (e.g. See/Inland or See/Radio) offered at a reduced price?
When it comes to SKS practical training, don't just look for the cheapest price – also check the condition of the yacht and how many other people will be on board.