Real life sailing stories: how we manage sailing with kids
Setting sail is an adventure; with kids, it's crafting stories for a lifetime.
Exposing young sailors to the high seas teaches resilience, adaptability, and respect for nature - lessons that surpass any classroom´s walls. This lifestyle diverges from the conventional, yet our experiences reveal a growing number who dare to embark on such an extraordinary journey.
Among these adventurous families are Nora and Cyril Pimont, whose maritime passion led them to share their life aboard the Hanse 445 with their 4-year-old daughter, Kiara. Recently, we had the opportunity to connect with them and learn firsthand about the joys and challenges of sailing with children.
Who are Nora, Cyril, and Kiara Pimont?
Nora Pimont is a French expatriate with an insatiable passion for travel, ocean conservation, education, and sailing. She wrote her first book inspired by family sailing experiences in the Mediterranean Sea, reflecting her deep connection with the ocean and a commitment to preserving its beauty.
Nora's husband, Cyril, shares equal enthusiasm for the sea and slow travel, leading to the life-changing decision in 2019 to purchase their first Hanse 445, christened 'Alegria III.' Within a year, they evolved from newcomers in the sailing world to adept part-time live-aboards reallocated in Malta who enjoyed a harmonious work-family balance.
For Kiara, this journey has been a childhood unlike any other, surrounded by the sea's vastness and her family's nurturing environment. She is undoubtedly already considered a seasoned traveler thanks to all the lessons she absorbs on a daily basis.
Practical preparations for sailing with kids
1. Choosing the right vessel | Why the Hanse 445?
For a family with young children, the Pimonts suggest a boat that allows for single-handed sailing since this enables one parent to navigate while the other supervises the child. They also recommend assessing the cockpit's comfort to ensure the young one can remain close and secure while steering. The Hanse 445 turned out to be the perfect choice, with its streamlined deck layout and flush deck hatches ensuring hassle-free movement, in addition to an easily accessible hinged swim platform for safe family fun.
Other suitable yacht models for family sailing
With the Hanse 445 now established as a legacy model, the Hanse 460 and 410 step forward as the next generation in the lineage. Both feature a modern design and superior performance, with a particular emphasis on durability, space utilization, and easy sailing. Berret-Racoupeau’s innovation with the sleeker, sportier profile of the Hanse 460 earned it numerous awards, while the Hanse 410 redefines onboard luxury with the largest owner's cabin in its class. Spaciousness and thoughtfully configured cockpits remain hallmark features, upholding the necessary safety and comfort while continuing to reflect the family-oriented qualities of the 445.
2. Extra help on board
An additional caregiver proved invaluable for Nora and Cyril (especially for long trips). This could be a family member, a nanny, or even an au pair.
Check out platforms like "Find Au Pair", "Workaway" and "Crewseekers" to connect with a network of global adventurers, featuring both volunteer and paid support options.
3. Early swimming lessons
Both also recommend prioritizing swimming lessons for toddlers. Early training builds confidence and teaches survival skills like staying afloat and understanding basic safety positions.
The Pimonts' perspective on a balanced sailing time
Nora and Cyril stress the importance of adapting to different conditions. For instance,
"If the swell is big and uncomfortable, the best you can be is a pair of cuddling arms. Stay on the deck and breathe quietly."
They have found a manageable rhythm that works well for them, which is capping their sailing at 60-70 nautical miles per day. During this time of cruising, the Pimonts emphasize the importance of having a collection of offline content like music, movies, cartoons, and educational materials on board and ensuring devices like tablets are fully charged in case of bad weather when children need indoor engagement.
The family advocates for a balanced approach to activities, suggesting a day at sea be followed by one dedicated to outdoor and physical activities.
Addressing a common concern, both acknowledge that sailing with young children can be demanding and require constant attention and care. However, to Nora and Cyril, this is viewed as a universal aspect of parenting, not unique to sailing and believe that the rewards of this lifestyle far outweigh the challenges.
"The many opportunities for the children to enjoy the beach, lagoons and sea life is like offering them a life of holiday in nature. You may find that your kids are even more relaxed and missing their boat if you take them away."
Fostering an open-ended social environment
The world of sailing is vastly different from traditional neighborhood settings. On the seas, mariners and their families find themselves in a unique community where neighbors are more accessible and interactions more frequent.
For young sailors like Kiara, these exchanges foster confidence and enrich communication skills. Her world expands as she becomes more articulate and less reserved when she mingles with fellow seafarers.
It goes without mentioning the exposure to multiple languages and cultures. Kiara is already fluent in English and French but has also been recently absorbing Spanish, Italian, and Russian. She even takes the initiative to teach French to her friends, which quickly underscores the reciprocal nature of these cultural interactions.
Home schooling children at sea
Since each country has its own regulations, navigating the legalities and curricular requirements, especially when homeschooling, is a top priority for sailing families. Nora Pimont draws from her experience and suggests resources tailored to children's homeschooling needs.
For younger kids aged 3-8, the ‘Reading Eggs’ app offers engaging academic learning. It's designed to foster reading and comprehension skills through interactive games and activities.
Another recommended tool is the ‘Montessori Pre-school’ app which promotes self-directed, hands-on learning experiences for children aged 3-6.
For a blend of technology and tactile learning, the app ‘Marbotic’ integrates smart wooden letters and numbers with iPad interaction, catering to children aged 3-8.
Nora recommends the book ‘Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside of the Conventional Classroom’ by Kerry McDonald to parents seeking guidance on education while sailing, which provides valuable insights into alternative child learning methods.
Healthcare while sailing abroad
"Subscribing an international health plan with regional or worldwide coverage can release a lot of pressure."
Such plans often include repatriation and around-the-clock access to nurses, offering peace of mind in remote locations. General practitioners are typically available for consultation during the day and respond within a few hours. The Pimonts opted for AXA Global Healthcare, noting its effectiveness, especially for online consultations. They appreciated the prompt service, including same-day laboratory prescriptions and referrals for specialist consultations, even with detailed case explanations in languages like French.
In addition to these external healthcare resources, the family takes proactive steps onboard to maintain their well-being, like ensuring a supply of essential medicines such as travel sickness gums that are readily available for themselves and Kiara. They also recommend taking first aid courses to stay calm and act rationally during medical emergencies.
Addressing the challenges of sailing with Kiara in turbulent conditions, Nora and Cyril have developed practical strategies like sticking to dry food and water while avoiding milk, which they found unsuitable during rough seas.
—
Special thanks to Nora, Cyril, and Kiara for sharing their story with us; here's to their happiest adventures! Continue following the journey on their blog, Island Cruising Family.
—
Find more about Hanse Yachts:
Dynamic design and unrivaled comfort: the Hanse 388 awaits
Sailing with children: 10 activities to enrich their adventure
Stay safe at sea with the innovative Hanse Safety Cloud design