Tauranga Yacht & Power Yacht Club (TYPBC), one of New Zealand’s top sailing clubs, has produced many New Zealand’s world, Olympic, and Americas Cup sailing champions, and many more who chose to pursue sailing as a life- long hobby.  Famous names such as Olympic and Americas Cup champion Peter Burling, 2021 World Laser champion Thomas Saunders spent their junior years growing up and sailing in Tauranga. Their success is attributed to the stunning sailing conditions prevailing on Tauranga harbor complemented by one of the best yacht club sites in New Zealand with expansive club rooms and spacious parking and rigging areas.  Tauranga is a safe, fun, and internationally renowned location for learning the art and science of sailing.      

TYPBC is committed to building the sport of sailing in Tauranga across all age groups and is offering dinghy and crewed yacht sailing courses for adults (18+) and youth (14 to 18). The learning process involves a mix of both team and individual sailing in RS Quest and Topaz dinghies for dinghy courses and club keel boats or trailer sailors for the crewed yacht course.  We will cover water safety, learning to sail individually and as part of a team, rope work, and boat preparation & maintenance.    

No sailing experience is necessary, just an ability to swim 50m in a life jacket and have a bit of water confidence, but most importantly the desire to learn and have fun.  We provide boats and lifejackets while you will need to supply suitable protective clothing including wetsuit, spray jacket, and hat. Also bring water bottles and sunscreen.

Our Coaches are Yachting New Zealand qualified, have completed a first aid course, and are trained in powerboat operation and safety.  We run one coach to a maximum of five adult sailors’ ratio to ensure that all participants are looked after in a supportive and stimulating environment.  Please contact learntosail@yacht.org.nz for further enquiries.

                                       Sailing Courses

Adult Learn to Sail - Dinghy

LTS Adult Dinghy is a five or 10 session course over five weeks for those aged 16 and above, designed to teach you the basics of dinghy sailing. There will be lots of fun and plenty of adventures including both group and individual sailing.  The sailing will be in club supplied Topaz dinghies and RS Quests.  On this course you will develop the core sailing skills while having fun and meeting new friends.  At the conclusion of the course, we will discuss with you the next step in your development as a competent sailor.  We eventually want to see you in your own boat either sailing for purely for fun perhaps or joining in our regular club racing and there are several ways to transition into this.

Adult Learn to Sail – Crewed Yacht

Learn to Sail Crewed Yacht is a five or 10 session course over five weeks, designed to teach you the basics of sailing a crewed yacht. This is an ideal course for those looking to cruise or race larger yachts.  The sailing will be in either a club supplied trailer sailor or small keel boat with a coach on board along with three learner sailors.  

Adult Learn-to-Sail - Groups

We welcome enquiries from individuals and organizations for custom designed learn to sail courses in either dinghies or crewed yachts.  Please contact our club coach to discuss possibilities at learntosail@yacht.org.nz.