[sailing kids]
[Concept]
[Boats]
[Basin]
[Knot]
[Links]
[Impressum]

Kids just want to have fun.
If getting exercise is fun, they will do it.
If competing in a sport is fun, they will do it.
If acquiring a new skill is fun, they will do it.

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click here for more knots

And if it's really fun, they will want to do more.
We have a range of activities for kids that provide a high standard of instruction using our own proven method of teaching kids to sail on boats that have been specially modified to meet the needs of young sailors. Our experienced instructors are trained to provide safe and productive lessons that teach the kids the skills that they need while ensuring that they have fun on the water. If not sailing, then maybe paddling is more your child's style. Can't make up your mind? Make a real mariner of your child and enroll in both camps

The Vacation/Education Concept
Our program is based on the proven concept of intensive format within a fun vacation atmosphere. Professional instructors quickly dispel fears and rapidly build confidence and skills. Because our programs are active and offer unmatched practice time — your vacation time becomes exceptionally rewarding. In a relaxed and friendly environment, the staff shares its experience and its enthusiasm for sailing.
We've learned to guide you in rewarding sailing experiences and even in choosing the "right" boat. Our programs are both serious and fun. Non-sailing parents, listen to what Opti-moms and Opti- dads -yes, that’s what they call themselves —say sailing can do for your kids. Here’s the short list: Self-confidence, teamwork, seamanship, water safety, self-reliance, physical strength, quick thinking and love of the environment.

Is it Safe?

Ours is one of the few sailing schools that use unsinkable keelboats. Our kayaks are unsinkable, sit-on-tops that make for fun, easy, and safe paddling. Kids are put in groups of two, with their own boat AND their own on-board instructor or accompanieing with a power-boat. For kayaking, each child gets his/her own boat! ALL the kids are supervised ALL the time. And the entire camp has the assistance of life rescure swimmer who are "at the ready" for any unexpected surprises.

Private lessons
For the highest possible standard of instruction, kids take private lessons from one of our experienced instructors.Our individually programmed lessons are a great way to get kids started in sailing and to provide on-going coaching. Individual lessons can be either two or three hours each, and they can be held on weekends or in the late afternoon during school holidays. The number of lessons required for a full beginner course depends on the age of the kids and on the length of each lesson. Typically a course of four three hour lessons is all that is required for teenagers, with a few more required for younger kids. The lessons can be booked one at a time to suit when you are available, and you are welcome to start with just one to see how it works out.

Holiday camps and weekend sailing
Holiday camps and weekend activities are arranged as a progression of skill levels from beginners to advanced. During holiday camps sailors are divided into groups according to skill level. On weekends beginners sail in the morning while advanced groups sail in the afternoon when the wind is usually stronger.

Our Opti-boats for beginners
Imagine a bathtub with a sail. That’s what the Optimist looks like. The only thing pretty about the Optimist is what it’s doing for sailing and kids and families. Optimists are so easy to sail they can be handled by 8- year-olds. They’re light (77 Ibs), only one sail (108 sq.ft) short (7.6 feet) and popular. More than 150,000 people sail Optimists worldwide, and that number increases every day.  

Lasers
So you've grown out of Optis but love single-handed sailing? Try the most popular racing sailboat in the world; the Laser! You can race with a Radial rig, a smaller sail for 120-160 lbs. sailors, or the full rig if you weigh over about 160 lbs. You'll need to bring a Laser to these events, but we are looking for new or used boats.

Catamaran Workshop        
You've seen them... zipping along, with spray flying and sailors hanging on the edge.. and wondered "what would it be like to do that?" You may not have experienced the fun of lying on a soft, level deck as you swiftly sail to sparkling, distant beaches. We can show you how! We'll coach you to sail at higher speeds, read apparent wind changes and maneuver better. You'll start on shore, learn the rigging procedures, launch off the beach, position your rudders and boards, sail the cat in both crew and skipper position as you execute drills that give you the skills. You'll learn strategies to avoid capsize and techniques to quickly right the boat after you say "oops". We'll show you how to use the trapeze - "the most exhilarating part of cat sailing." Multihulls can tack and jibe quickly, we'll show you how to turn smoothly, with speed. Plan to get wet during this course. We may go swimming, but bring clothing to keep you as dry as possible. Water/wind resistant pants and jacket are recommended. Water shoes or sneakers that can be soaked are essential. Other recommended items are sunscreen, sunglasses with retention cord and previous sailing experience.

Holidays

Weekend activities

Holiday camps

Basic skills

Skipper skills

Race prep

Beginners to competent skippers

Beginners/crew

Basic skippers

Competent skippers

Ages 8-15

Ages 6-15

Ages 8-15

Ages 10-16

All holiday periods except winter.

Saturdays & Sundays 9.00 to 11.00 during the Spring and Autumn school terms

Saturdays & Sundays 11.00 to 1.00 during the Spring and Autumn school terms

Saturdays & Sundays 1.00 to 4.00 during the Spring and Autumn school terms

5 days $365
4 days $305
3 days $245
Group & family discounts available

$180 per 9 week term, or $30 per week if booked casually.
Mid term enrolments are usually available.

$180 per 9 week term, or $30 per week if booked casually.
Mid term enrolments are usually available.

$225 per 9 week term, or $35 per week if booked casually.
Mid term enrolments are usually available.

Our holiday camps provide a fun holiday sailing experience. We run separate beginner and advanced groups at each camp, and the activities are designed to provide ongoing training for kids who return to do further camps. Our staff ratio of at least 4 to 1 with professional instructors means we can enforce strict safety procedures as well as provide a superior standard of instruction.

 

Basic skills sessions are for beginners and those who have done a little sailing before. This includes kids who have attended Northside activities previously and received a ‘Crew’ certificate. The emphasis is on covering basic safe sailing skills, rigging and basic steering skills leading towards the award of a ‘Helmsman’ certificate. On reaching this level, students may move up to the skipper skills group.

Skipper skills sessions are intended for kids with basic steering skills who are ready to learn more about controlling the boat. We work towards the award of a ‘Skipper’ certificate at which point young sailors should be ready to take full command of a boat in light wind conditions. These sessions are suitable as an on-going activity allowing students to build up sailing hours in preparation for moving up to the Race Prep group which is conducted in stronger afternoon winds.

The Race Prep sessions provide advanced training in stronger afternoon winds. We cover solo sailing, high wind techniques and basic race skills, as well as providing opportunities to sail other types of sailing dinghies to broaden the sailing experience of the kids. A point score is run through each term to help build a spirit of competition with points awarded for skill acquisition, sailing style and race results. Kids joining this group should be keen on improving their sailing skills, and must be prepared to work hard at mastering new techniques.