Start Sailing
Start Sailing is an adult learn-to-sail course designed to take you from the dock to the water with no prior experience. Over two days, expert instructors guide you through every fundamental — from rigging and boat handling to understanding wind and weather — so you finish able to sail a basic course and keen for more.
Book Start Sailing
Flinders Flinders Yacht Club
Barwon Heads Barwon Heads Sailing Association
Metung Metung Yacht Club
Paynesville Gippsland Lakes Yacht Club
Williamstown Williamstown Sailing Club
- No upcoming datesRegister interest and be notified
Werribee Wyndham Harbour
- No upcoming datesRegister interest and be notified
Course Overview
This course is a combination of Australian Sailing’s Start Sailing 1 & Start Sailing 2 courses. Start Sailing offers adults an exciting opportunity to discover the world of sailing. Our program combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills, ensuring a comprehensive learning experience. Led by experienced instructors, you’ll gain confidence in both the fundamentals and nuances of sailing. By the end of the week, our goal is to have you sailing unassisted, ready to embrace the freedom and adventure that sailing offers.
Who it’s for
Adults with no sailing experience who want a safe, supportive and hands-on introduction to the sport.
What you’ll learn
What you’ll learn
Sailing
- Launch and retrieve a boat
- Tack and Gybe
- Sail positioning
- Up-wind sailing
- Capsize recovery
- Rigging and derigging
Theory
- Sailing rules
- Sailing terminology
- Points of sail
- Weather forecasting
- Gusts and lulls
- Buoyage and signage on the water
By the end you’ll be able to
- Rig and de-rig a dinghy
- Sail a triangular course unassisted in light winds
- Tack and gybe confidently
- Understand wind direction and points of sail
- Recover from a capsize
Course Outcomes
Preparation
- Learn how to use the appropriate safety equipment
- Identify weather conditions and prepare accordingly
Boats and Equipment
- Learn to set up (rig) a boat
- Identify the commonly used parts of the boat
- Identify all parts of the boat
- Demonstrate correct boat, sailing gear and sail care
Ropework
- Learn to tie a figure of eight knot, reef knot and a bowline
Safety and Emergencies
- Perform a capsize recovery
- Participate in boat towing
Skills and Techniques
- Launch and recover a boat
- Correctly tack and stop the boat
- Successfully sail a reaching course
- Demonstrate correct crewing, helming and sail setting methods while sailing on all points of sail
- Correctly gybe
- Successfully sail a triangle and windward/leeward course
- Perform man overboard recovery
- Use tiller extension during all manoeuvres
- Demonstrate correct centreboard positions on all points of sail
Sailing theory
- Port/starboard
- Windward/leeward
- Right of way rules on the water
- Buoyage and signage on the water
- Show an understanding of gusts and lulls
- Show an understanding of lifts and knocks
Meteorology and Tides
- Identify wind direction
- Source weather forecast