“But I don’t have a boat!”
That’s usually the first incredulous remark made by interested sailors-to-be when encouraged to give it a try.  Little do they know how welcome they are on many boats in the local club races  Often, skippers are grateful for an extra body on board because extra weight and watchful eyes add an edge that might just nudge their vessel ahead of their rivals at an opportune moment.

Casual crewing is a great introduction to the sport, on a small budget. No matter how long you do it for, you will always learn from fellow crew and skippers on race days.  Each boat may be rigged quite differently, and even on identical boats, the tactics and techniques vary greatly.

Here are 5 tips for people venturing into becoming ‘crew’:

1. Show up regularly.  Although some boats only take experienced crew, most will take anybody with a willing heart.  It’s like life.  All you have to do is show up and the rest happens.  Go the extra step.  Be available at the same time, same place repeatedly and you have a shot at becoming regular crew.

2. Be Honest.  If you don’t know anything about sailing, say so. It’s grand!  Some skippers may pass you by, and at first that may hurt.  Try to under that it’s not bout you, it’s about them.  They are learning too, and they need expert crew on board to help them.  Either that, or they are super-competitive and you aren’t ready for that boat anyways.  No worries!  You will be picked up.

If you do have marine experience, say so.  Kayakers may have expert knowledge of tide and current.  Windsurfers can read the wind and already know how their weight placement can manipulate a craft’s performance. Pilots may have fabulous navigation skills.

Mistakes will happen on any new boat, regardless of your background, so relax and forgive yourself when they do.

3. Go with the Gear. Non-marking shoes or boots will show that you respect boats.  Soles that mark the deck take hours to scrub out.  Imagine how you’d feel if you had just cleaned a window and a kid came by and put fingerprints all over it.  Frustrated, right?  Now, imagine it takes 5 minutes to remove each mark and there 15 of them!  Discerning skippers with a shiny deck may think twice before inviting you on board if you are wearing the wrong footwear.  If you do accidentally mark up a boat, offer to clean the mess up.  You are more likely to be invited back.

Sunscreen, sailing gloves, brightly coloured rain gear, a hat and hat clip are highly recommended to start.  Hint – keep your gear bag small.  Although your moveable weight is welcome on board, excessive immovable gear may not be.

4. Bring Your Own. Got Food?  In addition to packing water and post-race celebration beverages, you need to pack enough to feed yourself.  Better yet, also bring a round of snacks to share.  My personal preference is chocolate chip cookies. If you are feeling queasy at the thought of eating, take the proper anti-nausea medication before setting out.  Dried ginger can be helpful to munch on in modest quantities while underway.  The vast majority of sailors have been sick at least once and everyone will help you.  The worst part of being sick is that you miss out on all the fun!  Being overtired, cold, hung-over or filled with a greasy meal can bring even the most seasoned mariners to their knees.

5. Enjoy Easy Conversation.  Most people love telling jokes and chatting to get acquainted.  The really bizarre thing about racing is that most of that type of camaraderie happens after the race when you are back in the marina.  You’ve just met a bunch of strangers, and now they are gabbling in incoherent terminology while you are just trying to figure out where to plant your bottom!  Stay calm, and if you can, avoid nervously trying to ‘make’ conversation.   It will flow naturally as the race unfolds, as people get their focus and have mental room to chat.  A good skipper sets the tone early by partnering you up with another crew member, telling you to ask all the questions you want, or by giving you a good pre-departure overview of the basics.  Sometimes people get carried away and shout. It’s not personal, no matter how it feels at the time.

Ladies, a special tip for you.  If it gets too vulgar and you are uncomfortable with it, you don’t have to play along.  Be politely silent or firmly resistant if you wish.   Decent people will not take it personally and will shift the conversation to something else. If, however, vulgar is in your comfort zone, dish it back and see where the banter goes.

Every boat is different and so are the people. Every boat has something to offer technically and socially.  And you have something to offer every boat!

From Crew to Skipper:

There’s nothing like learning to be a skipper like being a skipper!  Take a few courses, then join a co-operative or club that gives you access to boats.  Charter one for your vacation.  Enjoy things the way they are and set realistic goals.    Get what you can from multiple sources and let it happen.

You can go as far as you want with sailing and it is a lifetime adventure. When you set foot on the dock, you may find that you leave everything else behind.  All the worry and rush of life, the past and the future, just fade away.

Hats off to all those great skippers who have brought people on board to show them the ways of the sea!