ADULT LEARN TO SAIL

We are excited to teach you to sail! 

We offer adult sailing lessons from September to December, focusing on centreboard yachts. Programmes are designed to teach basic sailing skills and encourage ongoing club participation. Learners also get to be involved with our race management team since this is both helpful to our club and provides an opportunity to observe sailing, race organisation and how to navigate your boat around a course.

Adult Learn to Sail (ALTS) 

Cost: $150 plus full club membership (Senior ~$270 or Family). Membership includes use of club facilities and full participation in club activities. Fees are not refundable once on-water coaching commences except in extenuating circumstances. 

Who: For beginners or those with limited sailing experience interested in centreboard yacht sailing. 

What you will need: Wetsuit, hat, booties and a waterproof jacket to stay warm. Sunglasses with a retainer cord if you don’t want to lose them. 

The course includes: 

• Learners Handbook provided to study, learn terminology and the practice of sailing. 

• Two evening classroom sessions to learn the basics. 

• Two practical sessions to learn how to rig the boats we use. 

• Six on-water sessions, initially with a coach in two-person yachts, progressing to single-handed sailing in suitable wind conditions. Friday evening or Sunday morning coaching may be used as a back-up to Wednesday evening if the weather is unsuitable on the Wednesday  of the same week. We will schedule eight sessions during the first half of the season so that learners can miss the odd session due to other commitments. Should weather conditions demand cancellation of scheduled sessions, the club will run additional sessions on a best endeavours basis.  

• Evening sessions will start from 5pm through to 7pm as daylight allows. Rigging, unrigging and putting boats away is included in this period.  Sunday morning coaching will start at 09:00 when scheduled. 

• You will be rostered on for Saturday afternoons of club racing support on either the start boat and a rescue boat with experienced crew. 

• Rescue boats and buoyancy aids are provided. 

• Participants typically have a single season in this introductory programme, except in cases where extenuating circumstances have limited an individual's opportunity to acquire the fundamental skills required for advancement. 

• Learners are able to use club yachts free of charge for the remainder of the season to participate in Saturday morning or afternoon races subject to competence and weather conditions. 

• Club yachts may be available (subject to assessed competence) for half-daily charter by members during the following season for a nominal charter  fee of $40 per session. 

• After two years of coaching, participants are normally expected to have their own boats. 

Boats Used 

• Two person 420 and Phase 2 centreboard yachts 

• ILCA 4 & 6 (Laser 4.7 & Radial) 

• Elliott 5.9 

Requirements 

• A genuine interest in learning to sail in order to participate in club activities. 

• No prior experience needed. 

• Must be able to swim confidently. 

• Buoyancy aids required at all times. 

Resources 

• Instructional videos and knot-tying guides provided. 

• Club’s excellent Introduction to Sailing Handbook included. 

• Helpful coaches with significant sailing experience. 

Get Involved 

• Contact: John Pitman – 027 669 3991 | [email protected] 

• Register interest via the application form. Places are limited so participants may be selected based on alignment with club objectives. 

What Comes Next? 

With the right commitment to learn, newcomers to sailing should be able to sail by themselves with confidence in light winds by the end of this programme. We will evaluate your learning against the course objectives and give you honest feedback on your skills in key areas. Competence comes with practice and some gentle help from club coaches and members.  It is easier to get access to practice if you have your own yacht since club boats can be in demand, especially on nice days.  

In the following season, if you have your own boat and are a full member of the club you are welcome to join in the coaching sessions and scheduled club sailing free of charge. Otherwise the boat charter option is available to you. 

This program alone is insufficient for bareboat yacht charters elsewhere. Responsible sailors should gain additional sailing experience and a formal boating qualification, such as the Coastguard Boatmaster course for independent charter.