Knife-edge decisions, adrenaline rushes, extreme weather, bitter rivalries, heart-stopping races - they are all in a day's work for sailing's superman Ben Ainslie. Ben has won successive golds in the last three Olympics, making him a British hero and our greatest Olympic sailor ever. In 2012 he plans to bid for a fourth.

In "Close to the Wind" Ben reveals the truth behind his awesome achievement. A charming spokesperson off the water, he reveals just how ruthless he is on it. He admits to fierce rivalries, above all with Brazilian Robert Scheidt, who robbed a nineteen-year-old Ben of gold in his first Olympics.

Hardback, 240pp, 2009.

By Glenn Bourke

Triple world champion, Glenn Bourke explains how to prepare your boat successfully for competition and sail it faster than the rest of the fleet.

240x171mm 96p 180 b/w photos 10 diag. Pb

RRP £12.95 OUR PRICE £10.45

By Vanessa Bird
2012
A complete reference to the classic yachts and dinghies still sailing today. Focusing on the most well-known, popular and enduring designs - from the 7ft Optimist to the 125ft J class - this beautifully illustrated book showcases 144 boats from across the world.

The origins and history of each class, what it is like to sail, design details, fascinating stories about each class, stunning photography. Includes a section on all 46 Olympic classes.

Hb. 246x189mm 160pp Colour photos throughout

RRP £19.99 OUR PRICE £15.99

2008
Produced by the OK Association as a celebration of the first 50 years.

Covers the history of the class since 1956, including all the major results. The book also includes many articles from today's sailors outlining the techniques. There are also a series of interviews with sailors past and present.

208pp A4 format. 1,100 photographs and diagrams

By S. Ell
2009
A concise but authoritative explanation, in text and diagrams, of everything a beginner needs to know to get on the water, from the parts of a boat to how the wind works on a sail. Full-colour photography then demonstrates the on-the-water techniques, from hoisting the sail to tacking and gybing. Once these essentials are mastered, the reader can sail any size and shape of dinghy, whether to race or cruise, single-handedly or in a team. A chapter details the types of sailing dinghy available and explains how to choose the right one. Understanding wind, weather and current, the ‘rules of the road’ at sea, coastguard and safety organizations.

Pb. 96pp 265x195mm 240 colour photos

by Rob Andrews

From the 'Skills of the Game' series, this title is written by Rob Andrews, coach to Britain's 1992 Olympic team. He covers not only the techniques of dinghy sailing, but also provides a helpful guide to the different types of boat and the wide range of equipment available.

Fully illustrated throughout with sequence photographs.
All aspects covered, from how to get started to using the latest equipment.
Advice on the mental approach to improving your sailing.

128pp, paperback

by Barry Pickthall

'Dinghy Sailing: Start to Finish' is a complete reference for every level of sailor whether you are a beginner and need a straightforward, easy-to-understand guide or are taking your sailing to the next level and looking for the professional tips and tricks that will get you sailing faster, better, safer and having more fun. It includes single-handed dinghies through to planing speed craft.

Full colour with 150 clear illustrations and 150 photographs.

Paperback, 192pp, 2009.

RRP £14.99, OUR PRICE £11.99

By M. Porter
Nov. 2009

This is the only comprehensive directory of every dinghy and small boat class in the UK, with colour photos, specifications, sail details, crew needed and other useful information for owners and anyone contemplating which class is the right one for them. It is also the definitive record of all the racing championships in every dinghy class that have taken place over the past year including world and international regattas.

Pb. 352pp Full Colour. 236x165mm

by Adam Cort & Richard Stearns

A user friendly guide to the fundamentals of sailboat racing - for all sailors in all types of boats, from high performance dinghies to keelboats.

paperback

by Paul Goodison

The most up-to-date book on this very popular class. Lots of colour photographs and illustrations make the book a must for anyone interested in Lasers.

Detailed chapters on manoeuvring, upwind and downwind technique, care and maintenance, body weight and nutrition and sailing theory.

Paperback

By T. Davison
5th Ed.
2009

Practical advice on rigging, launching and sailing in all conditions, this is the ultimate guide for all Laser sailors, whatever your level. Colour photographs and illustrations help the beginner turn from novice to competent club racer within weeks of getting afloat. The more experienced sailor will find the go-fast tips from sailing champions invaluable.

We tell you everything you need to know, from setting up, right through to sailing your Laser. Also includes:
Setting up new control lines
Mastering the Standard, 4.7 and Radial rigs, Going faster – upwind and downwind, Avoiding common mistakes, Outsmarting the opposition.

World class sailors share their secrets - Paul Goodison, Olympic Gold Medalist, (Standard rig), Steve Cockerill (Radial rig), and Philip White (4.7m rig).

RRP £14.99 OUR PRICE £11.99

By Ben Ainslie

The Olympic Gold Medallist explains how to win in this, the most competitive class. Beautifully illustrated with colour photo sequences of Ainslie in action. An online video including footage of him demonstrating every manoeuvre from starting, tacking upwind to downwind technique is also available. Details of where to view the online videos can be found within the book.

The book contains text and photo–sequences on: psychology and goal setting; getting the boat right; speed around the course; fitness and training; how to win a championship. The video, available to view online and contains footage video clips and commentary on: starting; beating; tacking; roll Tacking; windward mark; reaching; gybing; running; leeward mark.

240x171mm, 94pp, 202 colour photos, paperback

RRP £14.99 OUR PRICE £11.99

By Ed Baird

A must for all Laser sailors who want to succeed in this highly competitive class. Race winning advice from a World Champion, highly illustrated with informative photos.

244x185mm 122 b/w photos 3 diag. Pb.

RRP £9.95 OUR PRICE £8.99

By P. Aitken, T. Davison
2008

Written by the national UK Mirror Coach, this fully illustrated book covers everything you need to know including rigging, sailing theory and practice, reefing, launching and landing, capsizing, racing and transportation. It also includes four master classes which aim to get the reader to advanced racing standard with faster upwind and downwind sailing, to racing tactics.
Step by step photographs

Pb 184pp

RRP £14.99 OUR PRICE £11.99

2nd Ed. By Phil Slater

A top coach explains how to win in the Optimist. Covers gear, speed & psychology. Sections for parents and coaches.

240x171mm 06p 116 b/w photos 43 diag. Pb.

RRP £12.95 OUR PRICE £10.45

by Alan Williams
2008
The complete guide to Optimist sailing. Part of the RYA racing series and a brilliant book to get youngsters interested and involved in sailing and racing. The Optimist is one of the best-known children’s classes. Chapters include choosing and setting up the boat and rig; basic and advanced sailing; mark rounding, and clothing. Lots of highly informative top tips also from well known sailors and coaches.The author has worked as an Optimist coach at both national and international level.

Pb., 270pp.

By Tom Linksey

Unconventional approach, introducing wacky characters such as Kent McBatten. Uses 50 racing examples to cover everthing from teamwork, strategy, sails, starts, rules, psychological preparation. Expalins how the same people keep winning.

Pb 224p

by John Caig and Tim Davison

A step-by-step training for dinghy sailors who are ready to start racing. This book assumes the reader can sail and now wants to race. It aims to take them through their first few seasons of racing, to the point where they can win a club race. This 3rd edition is in full colour and includes a new detailed section on using the asymmetric spinnaker. Each chapter focuses on one key element of sailing: rules, the wind, tactics, spinnakers, etc.

112 pp, 240 x 170mm, paperback, 3rd edition, 2007.

RRP £12.99, OUR PRICE £10.50

October 2008

The guide to the British sailing team reflecting on their historic international success in the 2008 Olympic Games. Sections on each of the Olympic Classes and the British sailors with full colour photos.

Pb. A4 96pp Full colour photos throughout

Was £5.99 Now £4.99

By J. Evans
2009

Essential for anyone beginning, or wanting to further their racing experience.

Packed with the most up to date racing scenarios, information and tips, this book is a real gem for all budding racing sailors.

Pb. 196pp colour photos and diag. throughout

By Gary & Steve Kibble

The perfect introduction to sailing for 8-15 year old children, featuring the Optimist dinghy. This largely photographic book is the official handbook of the RYA Young Opportunity Scheme.

244x185mm 48pp 164 b/w photos 21 diag. Pb.

By John Driscoll

The former National Sailing Coach teaches the complete beginner every element of sailing and seamanship. The book uses the RYA teaching method and is well illustrated.

244x185mm 48p 150b/w photos 41 diag. Pb

RRP £7.95 OUR PRICE £6.99

By Mark Chisnell
2012

This photographic coffee table book reflects the entire history of Olympic sailing, with spectacular photographs celebrating heroes such as Paul Elvstrom and Ben Ainslie, fabulous locations, legendary classes - and the never-ending struggle of Olympic sailing.

Sections cover:
Three eras of Olympic sailing from the yachting of the early years, modern dinghy racing and Paul Elvstrom through to the new professional era and Ben Ainslie.
Origins of how sailing joined the Olympics
The struggle, teamwork, trials, near-misses..
Legendary classes and boat designers
The new era with the 49er etc.
Fabulous locations from Mexico to Montreal, Sydney to Athens and China
Icons, gold and glory - great Olympians.

Pb. 310x230mm 176pp

RRP £25.00 OUR PRICE £19.99

By Andy Smith
RYA Levels 1 & 2

Fully illustrated in colour with clear drawings and straightforward text.

114x169mm 64pp 280 colour draw. Pb.

By E. Twiname
3rd Ed.
2009

Start to Win is a sailing classic. Out of print for over 20 years, it has nevertheless retained its position as the book on simple racing principles. Considered unequalled by its many fans, there is nothing else that sets out the techniques of sailing in such a clear, understandable and straightforward manner.
'An extraordinarily valuable book...Twiname manages to remove the mystique from the art of winning' Yachting World

Pb. 240pp 245x171mm Photos and illus. throughout

RRP £16.99 OUR PRICE £13.99

by G. Harrison

Whether embarking on a career teaching sailing or looking to teach your children to sail, this step by step guide will get the best out of you and your students.
It takes the coach through the basics of teaching somebody to sail from their point of view and gives constant tips on how to help the student understand new ideas. For every new concept introduced there are off the water instructions and exercises to do once on the water. It is suitable both for those running formal courses and for parents looking to teach their children.

Paperback, 152pp, 2008.

RRP £14.99 OUR PRICE £11.99

by John Caig and Dave Cockerill

Topper Sailing from Start to Finish

There are 45,000 Topper dinghies and this is the only book on how to sail and race them. Colour photos and photo sequences show how to rig the boat (with either stern or centre mainsheet), sail and race it - to championship standard. The Topper is now one of the four RYA recognised Junior Pathway Classes, with national and zone squads feeding into the RYA recognised youth classes. Its popularity is increasing in leaps and bounds.

Paperback, 127pp, 2010.

RRP £14.99, OUR PRICE £11.99

by Gary Jobson and Jay Kehoe

This book is the ideal training manual for young skippers, their parents, and their coaches. One of the most comprehensive sailing guides to the International Optimist dinghy class features: step-by-step instructions on every aspect of beginning sailing, more than 100 stunning photographs and helpful illustrations, useful tips and winning tactics for competitive racing, special advice sections for parents and coaches.

Paperback, 2004 edition, US publication