The Kit

We know that you are all student and how hard it is to make ends meet. But don’t worry you don’t have to have your own kit Mountbatten can lend you most of it. The Mountbatten Kit is not what you would call ‘the cream of the crop’, you will get wetter than people wearing there own kit, so we recommend that you bring your own.

If you are looking to buy some kit, take a look at Purple marine they always have some good offers. If you are on an even lower budget just ask around people are always trying to sell old kit.

What you need to bring

Bag

You need a bag to carry all your stuff in. Do remember that what you take might be dry but what you bring back might not be. A bag with wet and dry pockets is great, it keep your wet things from your dry things at the same time.

Sun Cream

I don’t need to tell you why you need this. But I can tell you that if you forget it on a sunny day that you wont ever forget it again. Make sure you use a high factor (SPF 25+), try and get some that is water resistant.

Sunglasses

No self respecting person will go sailing without a pair of sunglasses. 100% UV protection is the best. Buy a band to keep them on your head when (and you will at some point) fall in. I have lost many pairs, when you fall in the last thing you think about is that you must keep hold of them. By the time you think that you will be back in your boat and sailing off. The point I am trying to make is don’t bring you £200 Prada ones, Primark will do.

Towel

You will get wet on the water or in the shower and you will need to dry off.

Spare Underwear

This isn’t because we scare you so much that you have an unfortunate accident. Its because you need to wear something under your wetsuit and if you fall in you might need a change of underwear. Please bring these we don’t want any more phone calls from angry parents.

Good Extras

Rash Vest

A rash vest is for wearing under your wetsuit and i would suggest to be the first piece for kit that you should invest in. It keeps you warm and stops the wetsuit for rubbing and (as the name suggests) giving you a rash.

Gloves

If your hands get too cold they don’t work as well this makes sailing a lot less fun. Get some sailing gloves or just buy some gardening gloves from B&Q for £2, they will give you extra grip and stop you from ripping your hands to shreds on all those halyard and sheets.

Hat

You loose most of you body heat from your head, you need to keep it protected. Wear a Hat

What Mountbatten can lend you

Spray Top

A spray top is a good investment. It will keep you warm and dry. Try and get one with water tight wrists and waist band to keep the water out

Buoyancy Aid

Even if you learn in shorts and trainers. You will need to wear a Buoyancy aid or we will not let you sail. This is for your own safety.

Wetsuit

A wetsuit will keep you warm by trapping a thin layer of water next to your body. So having a good fitting wetsuit is much more beneficial to you.

Boots

We will not let you sail with out something on your feet, these can be old trainers or some proper sailing boots. The ones Mountbatten lend you are not the best and if you have a popular foot size we might run-out, so it would be a good idea if you could bring some old shoes just in-case.