One of the reasons we do the hobbies we do is to get away from it all. They present a chance to get out of our own heads and focus on other things. Whatever that leisure activity might be, the chance to relax and unwind by taking our minds elsewhere is there.

With certain physical activities, you can quite literally get away from it all and feel yourself recharging. This is true of everything from jogging, cycling and hiking, to our personal favourite – sailing.

Sailing and being out on the open water offers a release like no other. Being at one with nature, feeling the breeze and smelling the air are truly beautiful ways to ground yourself and feel a sense of peace and tranquillity.

It’s fair to say that given what has happened in 2020, we’ve been needing to ‘get away from it’ more and more. But given the current situation and pandemic, our movements and being able to do some of the things we took for granted previously have been impacted.

COVID-19 is affecting everybody in their own way. But has the world of sailing been impacted? Our latest Gill blog takes a look at what has happened, how we might need to adjust our sailing habits moving forwards, and how we can stay safe while out on the water.

Sailing during the pandemic

The world of sailing, like everything else during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic, is being affected in a major way. When we are all being advised only to leave our homes for essential reasons, the idea of getting out on the open water may betempting, butis not in keeping with the collective effort required to fight the virus.

However, when the Government starts to relax the Coronavirus restrictions and releases plans for the phased return of outdoor sport and recreation in England, being able to sail once again will become a possibility.

But if you are reluctant to do soor simply not had time to commit to sailing, then you may be wondering what exactly will change, and what to be mindful of when sailing in the age of COVID-19.

Times of change

The good news is that every effort is being made to allow for sailing to return to normal, and the government’s lifting of restrictions will accommodate for a pretty typical experience for sailors in the main.

A series of guidelines will be issued by the RYA to enable a smooth and successful return to boating. These may include:

• Allowing people to participate in team and other grassroots sports including sailing.
• Sport facilities to open and people are able to visit venues like a sailing club to exercise.
• Any bars, restaurant or clubhouse facility at your sailing club may be allowed to open provided it follows COVID-19 secure guidelines.

There are also rules in place as to how many people can participate in an activity. In the coming months, groups of up to six people from different households will be able to meet and sail together. This means you will be able to meet up with and start sailing with friends once again and enjoy quality time together out on the water.

This is great news for anybody that’s been craving the feeling that being out on the water brings this summer. It’s great to be able to enjoy once again the thrill of the open water, and while we have all had to adjust a little, these new rules will make it easy to get that thrill once again. And we might just cherish it that bit more given what’s taken place with the pandemic.

Extra precautions

We’ve all become accustomed to changing a few things we took for granted pre-pandemic. Wearing masks would have seemed pretty alien a year ago, but now we know their importance in preventing the spread of viruses we expect them to simply be commonplace for the foreseeable future.

As such, there are a few things that you may want to do while out on the water. These are all just extra precautions that the government and the RYA are advising, and there’s certainly no harm in doing them.

• Washing your hands regularly has become something we’ve grown used to. Using soap or sanitiser pre-sail, post-sail or during your time on the water can be really helpful and prevent the spread of any potential virus.
• You can also choose to wear a mask while out on the water with others. If you wear it in the correct way and it does not restrict your vision or movement at all, a mask is fine for wearing while sailing. You may need to buy a durable mask however as conditions can make some masks damp or uncomfortable if you are not careful.
• Keeping space between you and others where possible can reduce the chances of infection and maintain safety. This is not always possible while out on the water, but if space can be kept then it’s something you can try to do should you feel the need.

Adding to your sailing wardrobe for the comeback

If you have been super keen to get back out on the water, then adding a few items to your sailing apparel range can be a great added treat for you to enjoy.

At Gill, we will be delighted when people are able to get back out on the water, and are committed to providing the very best sailing equipment to give people great options when it comes to deciding on what to wear when sailing.

Our range of sailing apparel and equipment is second to none, with a host of fantastic items designed to keep you protected, comfortable and agile out on the water.

One of the particularly relevant and popular sailing trends at present is our Gill face masks. These are contoured to closely fit the face and is secured with soft elastic loops. The mask features an integrated filter material sandwiched between 2 layers of a soft-touch, breathable fabric. Our masks are also machine washable, meaning you can use it time and again both on and off the water.

With jackets, trousers and UV protection ranges to choose from, it’s easy to find a solid addition to your sailing style choices at Gill.

And when it comes to Autumn and Winter, our collection of sailing tops includes base layers, hoodies and fleeces and accessories including gloves and headwear can make a massive difference to your day out. Additionally, our OS thermal and OS Insulatedsystems are perfect for tougher conditions.

So we advise staying safe and staying comfortable, and we know that our range is capable of allowing you to achieve when sailing is well and truly back.

Browse through the Gill range today and find a great buy for you. If you have any questions for our team, do not hesitate to get in touch and we will be happy to help.