Hello from Alberta

[MDCurrie]

hi a new member just retired and getting my passion for sailing back. I live in a land locked province of Canada where water is frozen 7 months of the year. Saying that we have wind and sun and some lakes that go for miles. My new position as CEO of Easy Livin has me tasked with the need to meet people who sail and find ways to get experience. So if you have advice, ideas or are looking for a sailing buddy let me know. I am willing to meet people who love sailing and who want to share the experience.
Marlow

[omc]

Welcome to CF and best wishes.
Alberta is beautiful, enjoyed very much our stay in Banff.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Welcome to CF Marlow !

[krafthaus]

Hello back from Saskatoon. For advice I'd say take some lessons, charter or crew on boats to get experience then buy a boat if you find you enjoy it. Worked for us.


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[Southern Star]

Welcome to CF MDCurrie and congratulations on your retirement! I suggest you join the Sylvan Lake Sailing Club, which is only a little over an hours drive from Sundre. If you are also interested in cruising, I would echo the suggestion that you sign up for a one week sailing course at a destination you would like to visit. I believe that ompletion of some are considered sufficient qualifications to allow you to charter a bare boat.

You haven't said whether you have a spouse and, if so, whether they share this interest. If, as is often the case, they are only luke-warm on the idea, it is important to ensure that they are made to feel a part of the process, but also that the experience is as pleasant for them as possible. In that connection, if you decide to attend a sailing school, do so at a location that has other attractions and at a time of year when the climate is likely to cooperate.

Enjpy!

Brad

[Prairie Chicken]

Welcome aboard from a former Albertan. Like others have suggested, a cruise & learn in a nice spot is a good place to start--see if you (and your OH?) like that world. Congrats on your retirement. It's a good life!

[jackdale]

Welcome fellow Albertan. There are a lot sailors in our landlocked province. We are not that far from some of the best sailing in the planet.

There are a few clubs in the area like the Foothills Association of Cruiser Sailors who organize trips that might be of interest to you.

Foothills Association of Cruiser Sailors

[Hobie_ind]

We're from Calgary also (grew up in Caroline actually!). Currently cruising New Zealand and getting ready to head back up into the South Pacific next month.

Once you get some experience, if you decide that blue water is what you want to do, make sure you check out the Calgary Chapter of the Blue Water Cruising Association.

Bluewater Cruising Association

Regards,
Mark

[MDCurrie]

Thanks to all the responces and welcomes, your advice is duly noted and my wife and i are booked for our first over night on a 30 foot Hunter with skipper who will be giving us our first formal training.

[HappyMdRSailor]

A spectacular start !

[Southern Star]

Great - have fun!

Brad