Our next Learn to Sail course starts on Saturday 19th October 2024. It runs over six Saturdays until the 7th December. We have a maximum of 12 senior and 12 junior places on the course. The senior course is now full but there are still places on the Junior course.
The enrollment form for the Learn to Sail course is here.
Our Head Instructors are qualified Yachting New Zealand Dinghy coaches.
Our Courses:
Our next Adults and Young Adults course starts on 19th October.
- Will be using the ILCA dinghy (Laser} to learn
- No experience required
- Six training Saturdays
- Free menbership for the 1st year
- The enrolment fee for the course is $190*
Juniors course:
- Juniors will sail in optimists.
- Boost confidence and problem solving skill
- a fun day on the water
- Six training days
- Free menbership for that year which runs to March.
- Enrolment fee: $160*
*Enrolment fee inclusive of boat hiring and safety gear.
The Adult and Junior courses start on the 19th October 2024.
The times vary with the tides so for all the dates and times go to the programme here.
If you would like to ensure you are enrolled on the next learn to sail training sessions, please fill out the relevant form above. Places are limited and classes do fill out fast, so please register promptly as we cannot guarantee that we can accommodate all applicants. Family concessions are available for a discount if you have multiple family members taking part in the training.
If you are enrolled in the course we recommend that you attend all 6 sessions.
What do I need to bring?
- New trainees will be required to do a 50 m Swimming Test in their first Training session, so please bring a change of clothes for this test.
- For sailing, please bring:
- Sneakers, aqua socks, Wetsuit booties or similar to protect your feet on the launching ramp, and for warmth,
- Hat and sunscreen, the sun can be even stronger when reflected off the water, so please be careful to use sunscreen even on a cloudy day. A hat is useful for both sun protection and warmth. Make sure you can tie it down so you do not lose it!
- Warm clothing (thermals) or Wetsuit and a change of clothing and towel. Do not wear jeans or track pants for sailing as these can become heavy and therefore dangerous when wet.
- At the beginning and end of the day juniors and their parent/s are also expected to rig/derig the boats, clean them and assist with stowing them.
- Click here to view training pictures of previous sessions.
Course Curriculum
The following is a brief outline of key points we will teach you for the Yachting New Zealand Level 1 & 2 sailing curriculum:
- Health and safety (both personal and the boat, eg life jackets, rescues and emergencies)
- Develop basic boat care
- Know the names of basic parts of the boat and rig
- Tie basic knots
- How to rig a boat
- Launch and retrieve boats safely
- Develop basic wind awareness
- Know the basic points of sailing
- Sail upwind, downwind, and reach with control
- Capsize and right boats
- Tack and gybe boats
- Get out of "irons" effectively
- Know the basic sailing rules, including laws of the sea
For any other questions or queries please contact one of our committee members whose contact details are here.