Your ultimate guide to apparel and accessories to wear for High School and College sailing. West Coast Sailing offers 15% off apparel and accessories for all scholastic sailors - see details below.
Staying warm and dry is an important part of enjoying sailing. Throughout all but the warmest months, a few purpose built pieces will ensure comfort and safety on the water. High school and college sailors should look for clothing that will protect them from the wind and the water. Some clothing from other sports such as kayaking and wakeboarding or even skiing and hiking may work for sailing, but we suggest you consider the following pieces of sailing specific gear in our handy checklist.
For info on our High School and College sailing discounts, click here.
Scholastic Gear Checklist
Life Jacket
Spray Top
Spray Pants
Sailing Boots
Gloves
Wetsuit
Drysuit
Warm Layers
Life Jacket
A comfortable, well fitting life jacket is a must for spending time on the water, no matter the season. This is the most import piece of gear for any sailor. High School and College sailors should look for a life jacket that is US Coast Guard (USCG) approved and fits comfortably. Sailing specific life jackets allow a full range of arm movement and should be sleek across the upper torso. We carry a range of life jackets at multiple price points for both adult and junior sailors.
Spray Top (Smock Top)
Most high school and college sailors will wear a spray top which is both waterproof and windproof. Sailing tops typically have water resistant gaskets at neck, waist and cuff and are cut so that insulating layers can be worn underneath. The waterproof material can be sticky against the skin in warm weather, so it's a smart idea to wear your spray top over a rash guard or UV technical shirt to improve breathability and to keep you comfortable in warm weather or over an insulating layer in colder conditions. It's not uncommon to see spray gear worn over a wetsuit as well.
Spray Pants
Sailing pants should be waterproof and windproof and cover the sailor from the ankle to chest. Pants should not be excessively baggy and should be comfortable to wear when standing up as well as crouched. The classic 'salopette' is a full length waterproof pant that is chest height and has shoulder straps. This is the most common type of spray pant used by most high school and college sailors. We love the Gill Verso Lite Salopette, which is available in both men's and women's versions and pairs great with the Gill Verso Lite Spray Top.
Sailing Boots
Sailing boots should be made of neoprene or rubber and provide some ankle support in addition to insulating the foot. Footwear for the high school or college sailor should have a durable sole, be lightweight and be designed to get wet.Thankfully, we make it easy to find a pair of boots that have these features with great options from Gill, Zhik, and Rooster.
Sailing Gloves
Sailing gloves are typically made from leather, or synthetic leather, and help keep hands warm as well as provide extra grip for holding ropes all day. We offer a range of gloves from Gill, Zhik, and Rooster in both short finger (all finger tips open) and full finger (middle three fingers enclosed) styles. A popular alternative is rubber dipped gardening gloves such the Atlas brand.
Wetsuit
A neoprene wetsuit is a great way to add core warmth to your sailing kit, especially on early and late season says. A farmer john or skiff suit style sleeveless wetsuit works great on it's own or can be worn under a spray top and spray pants. We love the Zhik Microfleece Wetsuit range for it's versatility accross temperatures, and also carry other options from Rooster and Gill for adult and junior sailors.
Drysuit
Sailing deep into the cold of winter? A drysuit is a must for any dinghy sailor sailing in extremely cold conditions. Waterproof fabric and seals at the wrist and neck mean your drysuit is fully submersible and will keep you warm and dry inside. Layer up with a combination of base layers and mid layers depending on the conditions. Drysuits also make it easy to warm up between rotations since you can take off the top part of the suit and throw on a jacket, as compared to a wetsuit where you will stay wet while waiting. It is very common to see scholastic sailors in drysuits in the early spring and late fall, depending on the region.
Warm Layers
This is the one piece of gear that is least sailing specific, yet very important. Most new sailors will find something in their closet that performs well for insulation on the water. There are however a few basic points to keep in mind. Good layering starts with a good base layer, which should be lightweight and made of a natural or synthetic fiber that wicks moisture away from the skin. Mid-layers can range in thickness according to weather and should again be made of wicking natural or synthetic fibers (such as wool or fleece). It is very important that sailors avoid cotton while on the water, as cotton will loose all of its insulating properties once wet.
Shop Warm Tops | Shop Warm Bottoms
When In Doubt, Ask for Advice!
The staff at West Coast Sailing has years of experience sailing in many conditions and talks to sailors around the world every day. We can certainly recommend specific gear for your conditions, boat type, or general sailing venue. This is meant to be a guide for what we commonly recommend, but is not an exhaustive list. Talking with other local sailors about what works and what does not work is also a great way to build your sailing kit.
Reach out to our team anytime by calling or texting 1-503-285-5536 or sending an email to info@westcoastsailing.net
