For the past centuries, the ocean has always been an important means of transportation in the life of human beings. Ships have permitted human being to discover far away lands. The Egyptians and the Romans used boats as an important medium at the centre of their commercial activities. Ships have permitted European pioneers to discover the American continent. Sailing can simply be defined as a ship using the force of the wind to glide on water. What use to be a sport of the upper class society has now become a leisure activity that is also accessible to water lovers who want to enjoy an adventurous experience. Sailing camps are spread all over the country, and this sport seems to be gaining popularity amongst the youngest ocean lovers.

For centuries to come sailing remained a means of transportation and the centre pillar to fishing activities.  In the 17^th century, this activity gradually became a sport with the Dutch who started to use small boats called “Yaghtschip” (which meant “hunting ship”) for recreational purposes. Today these boats are commonly called yachts. In not time sailing became popular in Holland and England and this new passion was quickly exported to the colonies. Sailing clubs quickly started spreading all over Europe and soon enough sailing competitions started taking place in the American colonies. This new sport soon turned into a real social phenomenon, with sailors forming clubs and groups in different towns, gathering to plan new trips or to discuss the latest news.

This gave like to the world’s oldest “Yacht Clubs”.  “The world’s first yacht club was founded in Cork, Ireland in 1720” (Source: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-sailing.htm) and one the of world’s most famous clubs, the New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844. John Cox gave birth to this prestigious club when he decided he wanted to start racing other local sailors. Only ten years later, the New York born club, was taking things to the next level as they started racing internationally. Little did he know that this was the starting point that gave life to America’s Cup, one of the world’s most important and prestigious sailing event. For 132 years in a row (1851 to 1983) the Americans proudly won every single trophy until they had to give their title away to Australia. “Since then, the only other countries that have won the Cup were New Zealand in 1995 and Switzerland in 2000” (Source: http://www.athleticscholarships.net/history-of-sailing-1.htm). Founded at the beginning of the 20^th century, the International Racing Union establishes a set of international norms and regulations that need to be respected in order to render all events more objective and fair.

This sport is now recognized officially and has its own special magazine publication called Sailing Magazine with quality pictures and the latest news on sailing. This magazine is the oldest one in America, it was founded in 1966 by “an avid Great Lakes sailor” (source: http://www.sailingmagazine.net/about).  The publication offers advice about the boats, keeps the readers informed about the latest events and presents breath taking testimonial cover stories.  If you have already flipped through the magazine daydreaming about giving this amazing sport a shot, you probably know that sailing comes in a variety of different boats that can go from the small boats to keelboats.

Small sailing boats, also known as centerboards are the easiest and cheapest way to get started. Generally under 25 feet in length, they “include a wide assortment of dinghies (open cockpit), daysailers (with foredecks and gear enclosure) and small day sailing keelboats” (Source: http://training.ussailing.org/Learning/Getting_started.htm).  Most reacreational centres, day camps and universities rent small sailing boats as the obviously have a cost that is much more inferior while still providing quality results. On the other hand, the term “keelboat” is used to described sailboats with a weighted keel, also known as the vertical fin of the boat.  This term is used to describe yachts of considerably large sizes. These boats have the necessary commodities for longer trips, like bathrooms, or cooking facilities.

If you don’t consider taking up this sport seriously or you simply don’t have the time or money to invest into expensive equipment or sailing lesson you still have one valid alternative to enjoy the beauty of these boats. Many locations all over the world offer all inclusive vacation trips on sailboats. This is a great way to enjoy the ocean and discover the majestic power of the wind without making too much of a commitment. A sailing trip vacation might just become one of your most adventurous and memorable vacations for the next couple of years to come.