Weather Forecast

Sydney’s weather forecast can be a little unpredictable from week to week, but this is entirely expected for this time of year. As you will definitely get wet on the water, please check you have sufficiently warm and other spare clothes. Sometimes it can also be very windy on the odd day, so, should it prevent us from sailing safely, the Instructors are prepared with lots of shore-based theory sessions and plenty of fun activities and games to keep you warm. Do remember, sometimes if it’s windy and rainy in the morning, the afternoon can be absolutely perfect for enjoyable and safe sailing. Please note, we will NOT cancel a session due to bad weather. 

Lunch and BBQ

All participants are required to bring their own packed lunch and snacks each day and a drink bottle. In addition to bringing your own lunch on the last day, RSYS invites you and your parents to a social sausage sizzle BBQ and certificate presentation at approx. 3pm on the last day. We hope to see your Parents there!

Personal Floatation Device (PFD) & Clothing

All participants are required to use a PFD, which should fit correctly as per the manufacturer’s instructions and standards. Sailors can either bring their own or use one of the clubs PFD's. PFD’s can normally be purchased at Whitworths Marine & Leisure stores as well as other specialty type boating stores.

In addition to the above, you must also bring a hat, plenty of sun cream, a towel and closed non-slip shoes (either boat shoes/runners/trainers/wetsuit booties) which are essential.

Participants are also requested to bring warm clothing, as at times it can get quite cold on the water. A spray jacket, over a fleece, over a rash vest, would be the ideal combination to ensure you remain warm. Keep in mind that a spare change of warm clothes for after sailing plus a very big plastic bag for wet clothes is a good idea! Also, bring a wetsuit if you own one, especially for the cooler days.

Items that are recommended but not essential; sailing gloves, sunglasses, a drink bottle, snacks should you get hungry. Please make sure all valuables are left at home, however extra gear and bags may be kept in the Training Room whilst you are out on the water.

Parents Parking & Dining

Please be aware that car parking at RSYS is for Members only. The street parking in Kirribilli around RSYS is sometimes limited and in certain areas is also time restricted. Although parents are not required to assist with the Tackers Program, they are most welcome to have a coffee and a breakfast bite to eat or perhaps some lunch and a drink in the Club’s Careening Cove (Bar/Café) and watch the Tackers enjoy their sailing from the comfort of the balcony.

Active Kids Voucher

The Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron is proud to be an Active Kids provider. If you would like to use an Active Kids voucher, use the discount code 'Activekids', and put your voucher number in the additional registration field. The discount code field will show up in the payment section. Make sure you put in the discount code 'Activekids', as well as listing the number in the registration field. 

RSYS Sailing E-newsletter

By choosing the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron as your 'Discover Sailing’ Training Centre, we’d like to keep you up to date with all our future courses and the happenings of the Squadron Youth Sailing Community. The link to subscribe to our Sailing and Discover Sailing News can be found at the bottom of the Club webpage, https://www.rsys.com.au/

More Tackers Information from Australian Sailing

Australian Sailing provides some great information for Parents new to Tackers and answers to some frequently asked questions as well. You can find this information on the Australian Sailing webpage here,  https://www.sailingresources.org.au/tackers/

 

Should you have any further questions or inquiries, please contact the Sailing Office.

 

Kind Regards,

Angus Stranack

RSYS Sailing Academy Manager

P: 61 2 9017 0154

E: angus@rsys.com.au

W: www.rsys.com.au

---

Course Overview
This course aims to provide children aged 7-12 with a fun, safe and affordable way to get into sailing. 

Course Prerequisites

• Water confident
• 7-12 years-old

Who should do this course?

This course is designed for participants who wish to have fun and learn the basics of sailing through games on and off the water.

Course Outcome

By the end of the Tackers 1 course, the participants will be able to:

• Steer with tiller extension under towing paddling power
• Tie a figure 8 knot, round twice and two half hitches
• Tack (push turn)
• Gybe (pull turn)
• Reach around a figure of 8 course using both tacking and gybing
• Sail with tiller extension
• Sail upwind and downwind by following the safety boat

You will gain your Tackers 1 completion certificate.