Sailing

Sailing is a sport readily equated with high living and Ralph Lauren apparel. Yet, on an Olympic level at least, sailing is more about salty sea dog fights, battling the elements and their enemies sail-to-sail on a watery arena with spray hitting them in the mouth and gold dancing in their eyes.

This sport really picked up at a rate of knots in 1900, when sailing was first incorporated into the Games. Over time, the growing popularity and accessibility of sailing meant the Olympic rules and regulations of the sport needed, like slack sails, to be tightened. Boats are now categorised in one-design classes and races run 30 to 75 minutes, according to the event.

In Athens 2004, for the first time since 1988, our Australian Olympic skippers were pipped to the podium. Come Beijing, look out for a lot of anguished Aussie sailors hell-bent on reclaiming our place in the sun. Sail, you sailors, like you've never sailed before.

Where to do it

Balmain Saiing Club, Balmaine
Drummoyne Sailing Club 2 St Georges Cres, Drummoyne 2047. (02 9719 8199)
Woollahra Sailing Club Vickery Ave, Rose Bay 2029. (02 9371 9805)
Port Hacking Open Sailing Club 226 Attunga Rd, Yowie Bay 2228. (02 9526 1506)
Sailability Penrith Lakes Sydney International Regatta Centre, Castlereagh Rd, Penrith Lakes 2750.

Book a sailing experience through Time Out