Living on a small island with limited space isn’t conducive to a sense of freedom, yet sailing courses offer exactly that, the chance for children to experience a vast open space – the Mediterranean.

Learning how to sail also opens up a world of adventure with new friends, and gives children the chance to spend an active summer, rather than simply sitting by a pool.

There are plenty of sailing clubs on the islands, most of them catering for children, as well as adults, and offering courses for different levels of experience, from absolute beginner to seasoned sailor.

Bronwyn Powell’s two children, Jessica, nine, and Ethan, seven, started sailing last summer in St Paul’s Bay. “We own a boat and in the summer of 2010 we sailed to Sicily,” says Ms Powell.

“I knew that we’d undoubtedly sail there again, so I decided it would be a good idea for the children to take a course and be more knowledgeable about boats and sailing. I also wanted them to spend the summer having an outdoor experience rather than doing another indoor activity.’

Malta is of course an ideal place for sailing – great for beginners. “The sea conditions are perfect here,” adds Bronwyn, who’s originally from South Africa. “I felt very comfortable with them being out on a boat here. I wouldn’t let them sail like this in South Africa. They’ll definitely continue with lessons this summer. They’ve both decided they want to do more sailing courses. The St Paul’s Bay Club caters well for children and they are child friendly with very good instructors.”

Ethan loves sailing and has already decided that when he’s a grown-up he wants to sail around the world in his own boat. “I started sailing because I was bored in the summer holidays and because daddy loves sailing,” he says. When I ask him how he feels when he’s out on a boat (normally a small dinghy) he says: “I feel happy.” Ms Powell says Ethan talks of nothing else when he comes back from a lesson: “He gives me the whole run down.”

Sailing, of course, is not just about fun, but also about learning new skills and putting them into practice. In addition, children learn to work together as they usually take course in small groups, with two or three children in one boat with an instructor.

For Ethan the most challenging part of his sailing course was learning how to capsize, while the best part was “hanging out with all the other kids”.

Ethan’s sister Jessica, was less enthusiastic about taking a sailing course but once she began, she was, says Ms Powell, “really happy; she actually enjoyed it more than Ethan.”

Jessica’s initial lack of enthusiasm, was, says her mum, down to a preconceived notion that sailing was a ‘boys’ thing.” Once she realised she had friends who were on the course she loved it.

“When I’m sailing I feel excited and happy and hot,” says Jessica. “And I feel free. I have lots of time to think about things.” The hardest part for her was, “tacking with no wind”.

Despite having a great time learning how to sail and being very keen to continue with new courses this summer, Jessica has no intention of owning her own boat when she’s a grown-up.

Serena Ives is 10 and she also started sailing last summer. She attended Vikings Sailing Club alongside one of her friends. She decided to start sailing, because, as she tells me, “it looked fun and my friend Jacob started sailing at the same time”.

As with Jessica and Ethan, sailing’s biggest attraction for Serena is that it’s simple fun.

“I like going out on a boat,” says Serena. “It makes me happy and I feel free.”

At Vikings, Serena goes out with an instructor and a couple of children in a small dinghy. She likes sailing out so that she can see Manoel Island and Sliema.

Sailing is, according to Serena, “not really complicated. I would recommend it to other children.” It’s a sport, she says, that anyone can do. “You don’t have to be particularly strong.”

Your child and sailing

Find out about clubs online and ask what courses they offer for children, or ask friends for their recommendations. Many sailing clubs start advertising summer courses in spring and places can get filled quickly.

Check that all instructors are qualified and experienced and used to working with children.

For children who have never sailed before, it makes sense to start learning how to sail in summer, when the sea is at its calmest and the weather warm enough that getting wet is fun.

Ask if your child can go out for one lesson before committing yourself. Courses tend to be quite intense. You could also enquire about sailing courses you can do alongside your children.

Stating the obvious, possibly, but don’t forget that a child needs to be able to swim well before learning how to sail.