Welcome to the sport of sailing! Sailing is now one of the most popular participant sports in Britain . The progress of a norma I beginner's course is charted in this book, although with her usual enthusiasm, Anneka managed to instil a certain amount of chaos into the week! However, like thousands of other people every year, she found that the basic techniques of dinghy handling can be learned quickly and easily, provided you have the right training. This means learning at a school, club or centre recognized by the Royal Yachting Association . l'm glad that, when the Adventure Series was being planned, Anneka took my advice and experienced the rugged beauty and challenging environment of Plas Menai. You don't have to be as agile as Annie to enjoy sailing. While it's true that some children start at the age of five or six, other people are only introduced to the sport as a retirement hobby. Perhaps that's one of the great attractions of sailing: unlike some other recreational activities, you can choose your own pace - and the class of boat you sail- to suit your involvement ... and you won't be condemned as a 'veteran' when you pass your 30th birthday! Whether you're looking for the freedom to explore our coasts or seeking the challenge of competitive sport at the highest level, sailing will have something to offer - as a sport for life. Annie herself puts it so well when she says: 'If you miss out on sailing, you're really missing out on one of the great adventure sports. Don't forget, it's your turn next!'