Tauranga Yacht & Power Yacht Club (TYPBC), one of New Zealand’s top sailing clubs, has produced many of New Zealand’s World, Olympic, Sail GP and Americas Cup sailing champions. Whether your child has dreams of following in their footsteps or learning to sail for their own leisure, Tauranga is a safe, fun, and internationally renowned location for learning the art and science of sailing.
We offer a clear path for children from 8 years + to learn to sail and race using equipment provided by TYPBC. The learning process involves a mix of both team and individual sailing in Optimist and RS Quest dinghies covering water safety, learning to sail individually and as part of a team, rope work, and boat preparation & maintenance. Teens use the RS Quests and the Topaz dinghies.
No sailing experience is necessary, just an ability to swim 50m in a life jacket and having a bit of water confidence. Most important is 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.
Children progress from Level One/Two (Pink) into the next level Two/Three (Blue), before you decide if you wish to purchase your own boat and join the race fleet training and become members of the Club. All children progress at different rates, key competencies/skills must be learnt to progress to the next level, this will take some longer than others.
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 six children ratio to ensure that all children are looked after in a supportive and stimulating environment. Please contact learntosail@yacht.org.nz for further enquiries.
Please note; we do have minimum number requirements for courses to run. We will confirm your course is proceeding as soon as possible.
Learn to Sail Level One/Two - Pink - TERM 1 PROGRAMMES
In LTS Pink, children develop core sailing skills. LTS Pink aligns with Yachting New Zealand LTS Levels one and two categories. Learning the manoeuvres required for sailing.
Term One Dates:
Monday afternoons 4pm – 7pm (10 Weeks 3/2, 10/2, 17/2, 24/2, 3/3, 10/3, 17/3, 24/3, 31/3, 7/4)
Saturday mornings 9am – 12pm (7 weeks 8/2, 15/2, 1/3, 15/3, 22/3, 29/3, 5/4)
Saturdays is a slightly shorter course due to regatta requirements for club/harbour usage. You are welcome to come down and check out the action. There will be lots of boats on the harbour.
If your child is already enrolled and progressing to the next level please talk to their coach and we will place them in the appropriate group for this term.
Learn to Sail Blue - TERM 1 PROGRAMMES
LTS Blue is an exciting step up for children once they move on from LTS Pink. This course is based around speeding up their manoeuvres, becoming confident and learning the basics of how to race. Children have a natural inclination to want to compete and this is where we start to harness this. LTS Blue is also ideal for children who may have completed learn to sail courses in previous years and want to return to sailing. The next step form LTS Blue is to engage with regular club racing in your own boat. When your child gets to this point we can advise the best path forward including assisting with purchasing boats.
Term One Dates:
Saturday mornings 9am – 12pm (7 weeks 8/2, 15/2, 1/3, 15/3, 22/3, 29/3, 5/4)
Saturdays is a slightly shorter course due to regatta requirements for club/harbour usage. You are welcome to come down and check out the action. There will be lots of boats on the harbour.
Please speak to your childs coach or the office and they will confirm your child is ready to move into this group.
Schools Learn to Sail - TERM 1 OPTIONS AVAILABLE
We welcome enquiries from schools for custom designed learn to sail courses. Our regular learn to sail courses are also ideal inclusions in school sporting programs. Please contact our club coach to discuss possibilities at learntosail@yacht.org.nz
For more information, please contact us via email or 07 578 5512
