of Pattaya, Sattahip. Ocean Marina youÂ'll find a number of companies that offer a fun and exciting day visiting the beautiful islands and virgin off the coast of Pattaya.

But if youÂ're the type of person who wants to be a participant instead of a spectator, why not teach them what it takes to move and drive a boat?

A word of warning: once you take the challenge of learning to sail, may well become a passion Devouring that takes over your life.

So where do you start? Usually there are two options:

1.You can learn to navigate experimentally simply leave the crew with teams competing in events that take place monthly at the races Ocean Marina.

2.You may register for a course or courses at a sailing school.

The option of sailing is the most popular, so leta focus on this approach. Raises a number of questions and I hope weÂ'll be able to answer some of them.

How to choose a sailing school?

If you are starting from scratch or continue their training sail is very important that you choose a school that meets their needs. This choice is difficult for the new sailor as you will have little or no direct experience to base their decision about. Therefore, you should evaluate all your options and ask questions of the schools contacted to ensure they can meet their needs.

Your prospective schools must be accredited by the International Sailing Federation, with guidelines on the establishment of schools and facilities that should have.

Basics

Yates R-You must ensure that the yachts of the uses of the school are adequate and in good condition. Make sure not too many people in class, so you always have things to do instead of watch and wait your turn.

Instructors-You need to be sure that instructors are qualified, have made international training programs.

Courses A-You should ensure that courses are appropriate to their level and the level of sailing you want reach.

Certification-The certification issued must be recognized in the geographical areas in which it intends to use them. Ask about of an international accreditation once became youÂ've certificates accepted internationally?

Code of Ethics-A Does school an ethical approach to deal with you as an individual and help you reach your goals?

As for training plans go, there are two basic types curriculum now used internationally.

The first began teaching sailing live-aboard boats progressing type of allocation for acquisition pattern skills.

The second, which I support, teaches surfing in smaller yachts and covers all the basic elements of sailing as the taking decisions. As their increase in the levels of certification, so do the size of the yachts and the distances covered.

This plan started in the U.S. and the United Kingdom and is replacing the former in a number of areas.

The student-teacher relationship has been of concern because many of the authorities Sailing, due to rapid growth of commercial sail training. Obviously a boat carrying six students earn more money than a boat carrying three at or similar price.

Unfortunately, however, students in the yacht receives only half full-time instructors as much as others. In these days of Headsail furling and labor-saving devices, there is an optimum capacity of students, most of this is not the student of interest.

Another concern of the authorities of the candle is the very question of what it actually achieves certification. Simply handing out certificates of completion that interest shown in Onea's not. Each student should not automatically entitled to a certificate.

Only students who meet the components review, and in the opinion of their instructor, competent and confident in their level of certificate must be certified.

Sailing takes practice. For the benefits of training that is maximized, all the skills you learn should be practiced again and again. In all advanced levels of training, while practical experience is necessary.

Antony Chapman runs Sailing Pattaya, a sailing school based in Pattaya, Thailand.

kayak river run (cadover bridge to plym bridge plymouth devon)