Start Crewing

A Keelboat Start Crewing course is the perfect start to becoming a skilled keelboat sailor. The course is Australian Sailing Accredited and instructed by qualified Australian Sailing Instructors. Start Crewing covers the basic safety, theory and practical skills involved in being a crew member on a small keelboat.

Our Start Crewing course is conducted on our club 7.5m (25ft) keelboats which are perfect for teaching and learning. We will provide you with a life jacket for your course and a wet weather jacket if you need one. You will not need any special clothing for your course, however we request that you wear non-marking (or light coloured) soled shoes and make sure to bring warm clothing that you are able to get wet. On rainy or windy days it is a great idea to bring a towel and a change of clothes.

Each participant will receive a theory book and a log book as well as a certificate of participation (this may be emailed after the course). Please remember to bring your books to the second day of the course!

We will have a lunch break each day and you are welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase lunch from our Member’s Bar. For safety reasons we are unable to take anyone on board who has consumed alcohol before or during the course.

Our Keelboat Programs are priced at $400pp and we do offer a member discount. If you would like to be notified when course dates are confirmed please email [email protected]

Click here for session times and dates

Length

12 hour Two Day course (2 x 6 hr days) – ONE Day Trial Course Available (day one of two only)

A makeup date is also scheduled in the event of bad weather.

Start Crewing Outcomes

Sailing Element	Criteria
Preparation	o Understands the importance of the correct fitting and wearing of lifejackets o Understands the importance of appropriate clothing and footwear
Boats and Equipment	o Has basic knowledge of sailing terms, can identify parts of a boat, rigging and sails o Can bend on, hoist, lower and stow sails
Ropework	o Can tie the following knots: figure of eight, bowline, round turn & two half hitches o Has basic knowledge of the use of sheets, halyards, winches, clutches, and cleats o Can coil and stow a rope
Skills and Techniques	o Understands the theory and basic principles of sailing including tacking and gybing o Has basic wind awareness o Can trim sails on all points of sail o Can tie up boat alongside using springs and mooring lines
Safety and Emergencies	o Understands the correct action to be taken to recover a man overboard o Understands the correct use of safety equipment on board o Is aware of hazards on board a boat and understands how to avoid them
Sailing Theory	o Has awareness of the basic rules of the road o Can maintain a continuous lookout

Start Crewing Pre-requisites

Water confident.

Over 16 years or 12 years with a guardian.

Who should do this course?

Anyone wanting to learn the basic fundamentals of crewing on a small keelboat.

Next Steps

Following the Start Crewing Course there are a number of options to continue your sailing:

Apply for a Season Pass membership for unlimited courses over 12 month
Repeat your Start Crewing course to consolidate your knowledge and achieve all outcomes
Continue onto a Start Helming course to learn the basics of helming (steering) a small keelboat
Consider a spinnaker course to learn more about using Symmetrical or Asymmetrical Spinnakers
Join a crew looking for members and start club racing
Explore our other courses

Saturday Courses
Sunday Courses
Weekend courses