Learn to Sail Program

Encouraging people in the community to learn to sail has always been a prime objective of the Club. Sunday morning training of beginning sailor members is a regular and ongoing activity. Our major training initiative are the Learn to Sail Programs. These are conducted in November and February.

The Learn to Sail Program consists of:

three “chalk and talk” sessions conducted during the evenings; followed by
three “on the water” sessions on the following Sunday mornings in which the aspects raised during the evening sessions are explained in a hands on environment.

Learn to Sail Program participants learning to sail on 'What a Life'

Affordable
These sessions are offered to all including the wider community; and charges are set at rates to cover costs only. Participants receive a folder of printed notes and qualified and experienced sailors conduct all sessions. Currently the charge for these courses are set at $50.00 per individual class member or an entire family may participate for the same fee.

The Club had a stand at the 2008 Kingston Harvest Festival and offered a special rate of $10 for a similar course held in July. In this special winter case, the on-the-water sessions were confined to being afloat in the larger Trailable Yachts (where it was possible to remain warmer and drier than in the off the beach dinghies and catamarans). If a course member decides to join the Club the course fee is deducted from the first years subscription.

In recent years over 140 people have enjoyed an introduction to sailing during these sessions. Some have become committed members of our club. We are proud to have introduced others to sailing at charges far below the cost of other Learn to sail programmes. The feedback we have from participants from the wide ranging age grop involved has been most encouraging.