What do I need to bring sailing? Specific safety and other requirements should be discussed with your skipper before you purchase equipment. Here is some general advice.
River Races including twilight events
Sailing can be subject to variable conditions and as such you should be prepared to be outdoors in rain, during extreme UV etc. Here is a list of recommended equipment
1. Sunscreen and sun smart clothing such as a rash shirt
2. Hat with a lanyard or chin strap
3. Lightweight jacket to block wind, spray or light rain
4. Shorts or lightweight leggings
5. Shoes that have soft, non-marking soles or wetsuit boots
6. Optional - Sailing gloves ( these may often be borrowed initially from other crew )
7. Life Jacket ( these may be available as well but you should check with the skipper on the type and requirements )
8. Drink bottle with water.
You should also plan for light refreshments during your sail. Speak to your skipper on what is recommended.
Offshore Racing Events
Offshore racing has greater exposure to wind, waves and the environment. Crew for ocean events should be better prepared for the conditions and also the possibility that bar crossings may require additional time while conditions change. Offshore event equipment generally includes all of the River Racing plus the following.
9. Wet weather gear. This can be one of the most expensive purchases and is recommended once you have a permanent position on a crew. Jackets are not usually insulated, dual layer, have an integrated spray hood and cuff seals to prevent water running up your sleeves when working. Below are some of the more common options
https://www.burkemarine.com.au/collections/coastal
https://au.gillmarine.com/
https://www.musto.com.au/collections/coastal-channel-sailing
https://hellyhansen.com.au/collections/womens-jackets/activity_sail?activity=activity_sail
10. Offshore life jacket. These may be available however most crew own their PFD. Inflatable lifejackets should be at least 150N and must be serviced as per the manufacturers instructions, usually annually.
Possible options are below.
https://www.whitworths.com.au/safety/lifejackets-pfds?category=394
https://www.anacondastores.com/search?text=150%20pfd%20red
https://www.bcf.com.au/search?q=pfd+150&lang=en_AU
Where can I purchase Sailing Gear? Various outlets sell this type of equipment some of the options are below.
https://www.whitworths.com.au - Boating supermarket with stores located around Australia.
https://www.hastingsmarine.com.au - Specialist marine store based in Port Macquarie
https://www.harboursidechandlery.com.au - Specialist marine store based in Coffs Harbour
https://www.anacondastores.com - General camping and outdoors
https://www.bcf.com.au - General camping and outdoors
https://www.biasboating.com.au - online boating warehouse