There are several hundred yacht clubs throughout the UK where you can learn to sail a dinghy. Visit the Royal Yachting Association's website (rya.org.uk) for details of a centre near you. The following are all affiliated to the RYA and can get you out on the water and tacking with the best of them.

Caledonian Discovery, The Slipway, Corpach, Fort William PH33 7NB (01397 772167, fingal-cruising.co.uk). Ballyholme Yacht Club, Seacliff Rd, Bangor, Co Down, Northern Ireland (028 9127 1467, ballyholme.com). Hollingworth Lake Water Activity Centre, Boathouse, Lake Bank, Littleborough OL15 0QD (01706 370499, rochdale.gov.uk). Blakeney Point Sailing School, Church Farm House, Glandford, Holt, Norfolk NR25 7JR (01263 740704, blakeneypointsailing.co.uk). West Wales Windsurfing and Sailing, Dale, nr Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 3RB (01646 636642, surfdale.co.uk). Brixham Yacht Club, Overgang Road, Brixham, Devon TQ5 8AR (01803 853332, brixhamyachtclub.com).