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YMCA of Canberra Sailing Club

Learn To Sail

We offer a range of exciting training activities, making it easy for people of all ages and abilities to get into sailing. As are an Australian Sailing accredited training centre, our courses follow Australian Sailing syllabuses and are conducted to Australian Sailing standards.

Australian Sailing courses are offered at three levels:

  • Start Sailing 1 – An introduction to basic sailing techniques
  • Start Sailing 2 – Builds on Start Sailing 1 to complete your introduction to basic dinghy sailing techniques. Graduates of this course are ready to skipper a dinghy.
  • Better Sailing – Further develops your dinghy handling skills and introduces you to spinnaker handling and trapezing.

 

NOTICE For Course Participants

If you are enrolling in a course you must be a member of Australian Sailing. To do this you can sign up for a course participant membership with the club. The course participant membership does not allow you to sail with the club externally to the sailing course. 

Register HERE

 

⛵ Start Your Sailing Journey

We offer accredited Australian Sailing courses for all ages (8+) and abilities, whether you're brand new or looking to level up.

School Holiday Programs (Level 1 and 2)

Ages: 8–17
When: 5-day programs during ACT school holidays (9am–5pm)
Covers: Start Sailing 1 & 2
Outcome: Recognised skipper qualification (Australian Sailing)
 

Adult Sailing Courses (Level 1 and 2)

Ages: 18+
When:

  • Saturdays – Accelerated format (for physically fit, fast learners)

  • Sundays – Slower-paced with more on-water time

Covers: Start Sailing 1 & 2

Outcome: Confident independent dinghy sailing

 

Family Sailing (Level 1 and 2)

Ages: 8+ (Parent & child teams)
When: Four/Five Sundays (9am–5pm)
Covers: Start Sailing 1 & 2 (with shared family instruction)
Outcome: Learn to sail together — no prior experience needed

  
 

 

Better Sailing (Level 3) - no courses available

Ages: Juniors & adults (with Level 2 experience)
When: Two consecutive weekends
Covers:

  • Spinnakers and trapezing

  • Navigation buoys

  • Local wind/weather patterns

Outcome: Intermediate skill development & advanced boat control
Note: Must have completed Start Sailing 2 and at least half a season’s experience. Admission may be restricted.

 

Coaching Programs

YMCA Youth Squad

Ages: 8–16
When: Tuesdays, 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Covers: Skill development for sailing small boats
Outcome: Build sailing confidence and refine basic techniques

School Coaching – Marist & Merici Colleges

When: Wednesday (Green), Thursday (Racing)
Covers: Ongoing sailing skill development
Outcome: Support school sport programs and promote long-term participation in sailing

  

 

🚤 Powerboat Handling & Safety Boat Operator

These course help maintain a team of qualified drivers for club powerboats used during races, regattas, and training.

Outcome: Fulfills requirements for the NSW General Boat License

Eligibility:

  • Open to club members and non-members
  • Priority given to YMCA members if spaces are limited
  • Suitable for participants in other aquatic sports needing safety boat qualifications

📌A signup link will be provided when enrolment is open

 

🧾 Course Prerequisites

Minimum Age: 8 years
Swimming Ability: All participants must be able to swim at least 50 metres
Family Courses: Must include 1 adult and 1 child per enrolment
Advanced Courses:

  • Better Sailing and Safety Boat Operator require completion of prerequisite skills
    📅 Please refer to the Course Calendar for detailed prerequisites and schedules

🚫 Course Cancellations

Courses may be cancelled if minimum enrolment numbers are not met.
If a course is cancelled, we will contact you one week prior with the option to:

  • Rebook into a future course

  • Receive a full refund

🏅 Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

Many of our participants use sailing and club involvement to complete sections of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Visit this website website to learn how our programs can contribute to your Award progress.

 

 

Our instructors – 

All our instructors are fully qualified Australian Sailing Dinghy Instructors or Dinghy Assistant Instructors. A Dinghy Instructor must have:

·        an Australian Sailing Dinghy Instructor qualification;

·        an Australian Sailing Powerboat Handling qualification;

·        a state powerboat licence;

·        a Senior First Aid Certificate

·        a Working with Vulnerable People card; and

·        completed a Better Sailing (Level 3) course.

 

 

We Support

Play By The Rules