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There are plenty of different types of sailing boats to choose from, including single and double handers. The most popular classes for sailors under 16 are the Topper and the Optimist, both single-hander boats for juniors.

These are the classes coached by the Welsh squads and nearly 80 per cent of those competing in the Olympics began sailing in the Optimist class.

Classes for those between 16 and 19 include the 420 youth double hander, the Laser youth single hander and the 29er youth double hander.

John Griffiths, admin officer for the Pwllheli Sailing Club, tells us a bit about the sport in this area.

"Individual clubs hold annual regattas and invite sailors from other clubs to come and compete. Clubs such as Pwllheli and Abersoch hold a lot of national championships as the area is very popular with different classes of sailing.

Sailing is a growing sport, though it is of course in competition with all the other sports on offer - young people didn't play golf or women's football when I was young! But it does work the other way and parents do use sports clubs as creches to look after the kids while they go shopping - and they have a great time.

We have open days throughout the year to give people a taste of sailing before they decide to become full members of the club. Only as a member can you use the club's full facilities.

We also have a children's club each year where kids from the local schools can come and have a go at sailing. Those who like it will carry on, usually because their parents have experience of sailing.

We're aware that it isn't like going out on a football pitch and giving kids a ball to kick around. Health and safety is taken very seriously because you can't afford accidents at sea so supervision is essential.

Sailing's an extreme sport, especially in bad weather! It's a real adrenalin high and you get a big buzz from it.

Tim Hall, coach for the Wales youth team, is based at Plas Menai, Wales' national centre for sailing.

"Membership of a sailing club costs on average about £50/£60 a year and about £20/£30 for juniors.

Young people in the area usually go through the club route to reach the North Wales Regional Squad, coached by Ruth Ilisse (contactable through the Welsh Yachting Association). The squad train through the winter then take part in a series of events during the summer run by the various clubs. They get the benefit of training at Plas Menai, the national centre for sailing in Wales - that's a real plus for them.

The best then apply for selection to the Welsh squad, run by me. Those young sailors receive training throughout the year and access to sports science courses and further coaching. Our aim is to develop sailors for the British and Olympic squads.

We've had a few successes. Eifion Môn from Red Wharf Bay won the Topper class world championships in 2004.

North West Wales has a great coastline for sailing and Pwllheli is the best location for the sport in Wales, if not the UK.

We also have the bonus of Plas Menai which holds open courses throughout the year, usually over a week or weekend.

There's also no limits to disabled people taking part in sailing. The best go on to represent Britain at the Paralympics and there's no reason why anyone with any sort of disability can't take part. It's a great sport."