Term 1 2024 Learn to Sail. Absolute beginners. 330-530 Mondays. 12 February -18 March.

Learn to Sail. Absolute beginners!  

Never sailed before?  This 6 week course is for you! We will take you from zero to having experienced quite a lot of different sailing conditions in the warmest season of the year!  We have a weather contingency session on 25 March as well, in case there were simply too many unsailable days! 

Each class has a maximum of 6 students. We run 2 classes concurrently.

Expect lots of practical fun sessions as well as some classroom stuff  - we often save up those classroom sessions for windier days! Don't expect cancellations: our experienced coach and youth volunteer assistants have many options for those days and they are all make for quality learning sessions as well as inspire you to see what's in your sailing-future. Please don't phone to check each week: simply turn up ready for action!

The earliest recommended age for lessons is 9, although we sometimes make exceptions for muture "nearly 9" year-olds.  (please e mail learn@wanakayachtclub.co.nz to check) Given that most people attending Monday sessions are either new or "newish" to sailing, we may well shuiffle groups up a little to match ages and stages for the enjoyment of all.

For brand new-to-sailing students, the first lesson includes a "swim test".  Given that you will be wearing a wetsuit and lifejacket, and that there are no speed requirements, it is safe to say this is more just a case of not panicking in the water. You just need to complete 50m out of your depth at any pace, with your team mates and assistant coaches alongside for encouragement.

Please turn up as ready to go as possible, fully sun-screened. Bring a wetsuit, windproof jacket, any snacks you need, towel hat and change of clothes. We provide pfd's (=bouyancy aid) and helmets. Helmets are compulsory for "LTS1 & 2". Wetsuits need to be "full" in spring but in summer then those appropriate for the conditions are fine.

Want to jump a stage? Maybe a holiday program will get you there. Subject to good weather a 2 day holiday program can really get you a lot of time on the water. Perhapos even about a whole term's worth of evening lessons! See our website for details.

What's next? Over the next 2-4 years you will go through all the stages of "LTS 1, 2 & 3". By then you'll likely be a competent leisure sailor or ready to race.  You progress will depend on many things but at Wanaka Yacht Club we have heaps of ways to accelerate progress such as race regattas, extra sessions and Teams Sailing. Each new skill extends your wind range and the number of options avilable to you.  These opportunities arise more frequently in levels 2 and 3.