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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 $380pp 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:

 

Saturday Courses

Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Saturday, May 10, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 17, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

1 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

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Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Saturday, May 24, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Saturday, May 31, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

0 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

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Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Saturday, June 14, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Saturday, June 28, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Saturday, July 12, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 26, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Saturday, August 09, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 23, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Saturday, August 30, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Saturday, September 06, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Saturday, September 13, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Saturday, September 20, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Saturday Courses

  • Sunday, September 14, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Sunday, September 21, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Sunday Courses

Start Crewing / Sunday Courses

  • Sunday, May 18, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Sunday, May 25, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

4 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

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Start Crewing / Sunday Courses

  • Sunday, June 15, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Sunday, June 29, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Sunday Courses

  • Sunday, July 13, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Sunday, July 27, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Sunday Courses

  • Sunday, August 10, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 24, 2025
    09:00 AM to 04:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Women Only

Start Crewing / Women Only

  • Wednesday, September 03, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, September 10, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, September 17, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, September 24, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Women Only

  • Wednesday, October 08, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, October 15, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, October 22, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, October 29, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE

Start Crewing / Women Only

  • Wednesday, November 12, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, November 19, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, November 26, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM
  • Wednesday, December 03, 2025
    09:30 AM to 01:00 PM

5 PLACES AVAILABLE

$380 NON MEMBER $360 SYC MEMBER

BOOK COURSE