Residents along the coasts and near lakes have long known the exquisite pleasure of sailing: harnessing the mighty power of the wind to one's own modest purposes. It's an activity that brings one into contact with the very essence of humanity and to the patrimony left to us by our ancestors. Sailors' landlocked peers have long looked upon them with envy. Surely, the power of the wind cannot be used to move across a prairie or desert. Or can it?
Yes, it can. Land sailing has been around since Ancient Egypt, where it was used as a divertissement for the leisure classes. The sport sprouted independently in China and Belgium in the ensuing centuries, but it wasn't until the 20th century that it became widespread.
Modern land sailing began on the beaches of Belgium and France in 1909, and quickly spread overseas. The advancement of materials science in the 20th century gave birth to the contemporary land yacht, a magnificent fiberglass and metal cart carried by a massive polyester sail.
These beasts are still raced today across the world, and people are still improving their design. In fact, the land sailing speed record was set recently, in March 2009, by the Englishman Richard Jenkins, who sailed across a Nevada desert at 126 miles per hour.
 | Learning how to sail is the birthright of anybody born near the coast. Claim yours. |
 | Who knew there were so many types of sails? Sailors, for one. Read, learn and join them. |
 | Learning how to make a sail is a difficult task even for seasoned sailors. |
Do you dream of leaving dry land to live on a boat? Before you pack your bags, it is important to know what to expect from life on the water. |
 | Sailing terminology may sound like a different language, but you have to learn it before you take to the seas. |
