Life sometimes gets in the way of what’s important like family, friends and spending time doing the things you love. Special moments are few and far between for many people, potentially leading to fractured and distant relationships. Maybe your kids are already grown and finding their feet in a world where school and pals demand their attention. Yet, spending time as a family is important to nurturing connections and building bridges. Have you thought about sailing? It’s a great family activity that transcends generations and teaches kids valuable life skills. Also, it’s gallons of fun!
If adventure and taking to the open seas sounds appealing, read further…
Choose Your Fighter
So, maybe your kids and/or your partner aren’t excited about being out on the water. The best way of alleviating their fear is to take them sailboat shopping. Or, if you’re not ready to fully commit, rent a vessel for the day. Portable sailboats are less maintenance and cost a fraction of owning a traditional sailboat. Plus, you don’t need a trailer to transport it and can store it anywhere. When it comes to affordable minicat inflatable sailboats, Red Beard Sailing suggests the MiniCat Guppy for beginners. Built for simple and speedy assembly, the set-up takes only 10 minutes. And, because the Guppy is stable and lightweight, it’s perfect for a solo sail. Portable inflatable sailboats eliminate storage costs and headaches of boat ownership.
There Are Few Distractions
It’s hard enough getting the kids off their devices. Sailing provides the ideal opportunity to get them away from technology and digital distractions. Sailing is a team effort and requires the entire family to get involved. Neglecting one’s duties can result in dire consequences. If they have mobile devices, and you allow them to bring their phones onboard, only allow them to use them for photos and recording video.
Time for Bonding
Things can get claustrophobic on a sailboat. There’s no place to hide or run away when avoiding people. You’re forced to speak to one another which isn’t as ominous as that sentence sounds. For reclusive teens, it’s a great chance to join the rest of the crew topside and enter the conversation. Mostly, sailing allows you to let down your guard and enjoy the experience of being in the moment. There will be times when the boat is a flurry of activity but in-between the chaos, you’ll find time for reflection and retreat into your thoughts.
Teachable Moments
Whether you’re an experienced sailor or relying on the skills of an instructor, sailing has many teachable moments for the entire family. Every parent’s heart swells with love when they see their kids tying their first maritime knot and brimming with pride. Those are the types of memories that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Learning new and exciting things can strengthen any family bond because you’ve done it together.
Important Life Skills
They can’t teach everything in school like important life skills your kid will need further down the line. Crew work requires that everyone be on the same page to ensure smooth sailing. From safety preps to maneuvering the mask, everyone has a specific job. You need to be dedicated to the task at hand, communicate with each other above the squall of the waves and work cohesively as one unit. Sailing empowers you with a strong work ethic and interpersonal skills, values that are highly regarded in the workplace.
Health Benefits
The transformative power of water is backed by science. A recent trial aimed to delve into the advantages of exercise-based therapy. Researchers found that combining virtual reality with sailing had massive benefits for people diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD).
Blue Mind Theory
Marine biologist Dr Wallace J. Nichols brought Blue Mind Theory to the world’s attention in his bestselling book. He theorized that being near or in water enhances overall health and well-being. Throughout the years, Nichols’ work has been backed by further studies, claiming that water improves mood, reduces stress and anxiety and boosts creativity. Psychologist Kobie Allison has done extensive research on Blue Mind Theory. She says the ocean’s calming effects are not a coincidence. Water’s visual and auditory stimuli trigger a calming effect on the body.
Sail Away
Sailing might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s worth a try. Any water activity should be fine if your family enjoys spending time on the water. The point is to find something fun and exciting, an opportunity to bond and make new memories. If sailing isn’t it, explore other options until you find an activity that’s the perfect fit.
No Comments