SHOES: Please bring sailing shoes separate from your street shoes. Sailing shoes should be CLEAN WITH NON-MARKING SOLES to avoid soiling or damaging the deck. Please bring also (clean) rubber boots (may be just the ones you use for gardening).
GLOVES: There may be no blocking device (cleat) for the main sail sheet. There may be also no blocking devices (cleats) for the jib. If it is windy, then it could be that your fingers get thinner (and painful) at the end of the day!
CLOTHES: It is always colder on the water than on land so bring sufficient warm clothes. Even if there is no rain you will get wet from the lake water as the boat cuts through the waves. Bring waterproof sailing trousers and jacket (i.e. sailing gear). Bring these in any case, whatever the forecast may be. Underneath, several thin layers of clothing are warmer than a thick pullover and less cumbersome. Synthetic “wicking” fibres are better than cotton as they dry out more easily. Silk is excellent! Wool is good, as it remains warm when wet. “Breathables” are best. Notorious swimming enthusiasts may consider to bring a swimming dress and a towel. Make sure that you don't freeze when on the boat. It's better to ask co-sailors for spare elements of their equipment than to get cold while on the boat. If you yourself feel comfortable you will be less exposed to seasickness and will contribute to the comfort of the crew as a whole. Pack all your stuff in bag(s) to avoid chaos in the luggage compartment under the bow.
Note that there is some covered space on the boat to keep your bag(s).
SWIMSUITS are not mandatory, but occasions to go for a swim, either on the North Sea beach or in the Veerse Meer (from beaches, ladders – or even from the boat, are always within reach. Depending on the itinerary, a dip into the water may be easily arranged if there is appetite. Swim shoes can be helpful if you don’t know the waters, because of the sharp oyster shells in the Veerse Meer.
CHANGING ROOM/TOILETS are available at the sailing school. On the islands and on the shore there are Toi-Toi toilets.
PROTECTION: Bring a hat, sun-screen and sun-glasses. Even if no sun is forecast the wind will burn and sun screen seems to work against the wind also. It is very bright on the water even on a dull day, and people get headaches easily, so sun-glasses help.
FOOD AND DRINK: It is recommended to prepare something spare to eat (e.g. sandwiches, fruit, biscuits) and drinks/drinking water for the day. If you're not hungry you'll be less exposed to freezing and seasickness. In case we have a stop for lunch on one of the islands there are no possibilities to get something else to drink or to eat. Coffee drinkers should bring their thermos bottle as there are not necessarily coffee facilities at nor close to the sailing school.
The boats are all polyester. Therefore and for the comfort of everybody the boats are strictly NON SMOKING areas.
