--- title: Sailing Virgins Blog | First Time (2) description: First Time | Sailing Virgins Offshore Keelboat Caribbean Sailing School Blog (2) --- [+1 (415) 619 2704](tel:+14156192704) [![Sailing Virgins](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/hubfs/TSSR-Dec2017/Images%20/logo4x.png "Sailing Virgins")](https://sailingvirgins.com/) [![Sailing Virgins](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/hubfs/TSSR-Dec2017/Images%20/sailing_virgins_square_e_1024_blank-op.png "Sailing Virgins")](https://sailingvirgins.com/) - [Home](https://sailingvirgins.com/) - Destinations - [BVI](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/bvi) - [Croatia](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/croatia) - [Brittany](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/brittany) - [Tahiti](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/tahiti) - [Madeira](https://sailingvirgins.com/destinations/madeira) - How it Works - [Course Checklist](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/course-checklist) - [Important Information](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/important-information) - [How to Get to Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/how-to-get-to-us) - [FAQ](https://sailingvirgins.com/how_works/faq) - About Us - [About Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/about_us) - [Our Instructors](https://sailingvirgins.com/about_us/our_instructors) - [Our Boats](https://sailingvirgins.com/about_us/our_boats) - [Blog](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog) - [Contact Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/contact_us) ## Topic: first-time ## [Tacking vs. Gybing: When and How to Execute Each Maneuver](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/tacking-vs-gybing) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Skill Transfer](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/skill-transfer) / June 30, 2025 Every sailor, whether just starting out or looking to sharpen their skills, needs to understand how to change direction using the wind. That’s where two essential... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/tacking-vs-gybing) ## [Why 73% of Adventure Athletes Choose This Over Traditional Trips](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/73-percent-adventure-athletes-choose-sailing) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Skill Transfer](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/skill-transfer), [Ski](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/ski) / June 30, 2025 *Ready to discover why three-quarters of your fellow adventure athletes are making sailing their new obsession?* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/73-percent-adventure-athletes-choose-sailing) ## [Sail Trim Basics: Optimizing Speed and Heel for Every Condition](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/sail-trim-basics) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Skill Transfer](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/skill-transfer) / June 30, 2025 Sail trim sounds like something you should already know if you’re on a boat. But if you’re new to sailing, it’s one of those skills no one explains until you're in... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/sail-trim-basics) ## [Mastering Points of Sail: From Close-hauled to Running Explained](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/mastering-points-of-sail) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Skill Transfer](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/skill-transfer) / June 26, 2025 Picture yourself gripping the helm of a sleek catamaran, turquoise Caribbean water stretching endlessly ahead. Your instructor casually says, "Let's fall off to a... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/mastering-points-of-sail) ## [How to Read Nautical Charts: A Beginner’s Step-by-Step Guide](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-read-nautical-charts-a-beginners-step-by-step-guide) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Skill Transfer](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/skill-transfer) / June 25, 2025 That first glimpse of a nautical chart can feel overwhelming. All those squiggly lines, random numbers, and mysterious symbols might as well be ancient... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/how-to-read-nautical-charts-a-beginners-step-by-step-guide) ## [Is Sailing Hard? Why Skiers & Adrenaline Junkies Master It 3x Faster](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/is-sailing-hard-adventure-athletes-learn-faster) by [Clara Suggett](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/clara-suggett) / IN [Insider](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/insider), [General](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/general), [Athlete](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/athlete), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time), [Skill Transfer](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/skill-transfer), [Ski](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/ski) / June 24, 2025 *The same mindset that gets you down a black diamond at Whistler can have you commanding a 45-foot catamaran in the Caribbean - but here's why most people never make...* [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/is-sailing-hard-adventure-athletes-learn-faster) ## [Nature's Call: How Sailing Fuels Our Psychological Vitality](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/natures-call-sailing-vitality-connection) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [Trip Notes](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/trip-notes), [adventure](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/adventure), [Mindfulness](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/mindfulness), [Beginner](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/beginner), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time) / May 08, 2025 It's Greece, 2014, mid-spring. We're anchored off the island of Lesbos. I'm leading a sailing expedition with my co-instructor and six eager students. The weather... [Read More](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/natures-call-sailing-vitality-connection) ## [Sailing Virgin: Your First-Time Guide to Sailing Adventures](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/sailing-virgin-your-first-time-guide-to-sailing-adventures) by [James Kell](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/author/james-kell) / IN [Beginner](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/beginner), [First Time](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/first-time) / May 25, 2023 ## **The Genesis of Your Sailing Journey** "Why sailing?" you may ask. Why not snorkeling, or climbing, or simply lounging on some beach somewhere with a cocktail in hand?... 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[gear tips (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/gear-tips) - [golf (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/golf) - [golf vs sailing (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/golf-vs-sailing) - [iphone (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/iphone) - [lead (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/lead) - [rpet (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/rpet) - [safety brief yacht (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/safety-brief-yacht) - [tahiti (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/tahiti) - [texas (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/texas) - [the yacht week (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/the-yacht-week) - [trip review (1)](https://info.sailingvirgins.com/blog/topic/trip-review) see all #### ABOUT US The founders of Sailing Virgins started things as a result of having some incredible sailing seasons in the Mediterranean and Caribbean working for sailing company The Yacht Week. James then worked for and for a while managed Tortola Sailing School. In 2016 he branched off and started Sailing Virgins. We LOVE how sailing is changing. Top speeds in the America’s Cup were thirteen knots not so long ago. Now they’re 45 knots. If you’re excited by that, we’re with you. Giddy up! #### CONTACT US - Wickhams Cay 2 Road Town, Tortola VG1110, British Virgin Islands - [+1 (272) 999-1920](tel:+12729991920) - [info@sailingvirgins.com](mailto:info@sailingvirgins.com) © LOVE SAILING VIRGINS 2016-2024 - [Contact Us](https://sailingvirgins.com/contact_us) - [Terms & Conditions](https://sailingvirgins.com/terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy Policy](https://sailingvirgins.com/privacy-policy)