How old does my child need to be to participate?
The Course is open for children between the recommended ages of 7 to 12 years of age for Tackers 1 and up.
Do you have to be a member of Sandringham Yacht Club to participate in Tackers?
No, one of the great things about Tackers is you do not need to be a member of the Club to participate.
Do kids need to be able to swim to participate in Tackers?
It’s best if kids have some ability to swim however they will be wearing lifejackets at all times. In the first session, the instructors will supervise the group in a 25m swim with their lifejackets on. Parents/guardians are encouraged to talk to the Tackers Club Leader or the Tackers Instructor if they have any concerns.
Are the kids out sailing on their own?
When kids start sailing in Tackers 1 they will be sailing in pairs. This can vary with the different sizes of the participants. The Instructors also take into account the sailing ability and confidence of the participants in the given weather conditions. There are usually 6-10 boats in a group and there will be an Instructor and an Assistant Instructor in a safety boat supervising the group. The safety boat stays on the water all the time the kids are sailing.
What types of boats are used?
We use International Optimists. They are ideal boats for their use in our training fleet due to their stability and layout. They have plenty of buoyancy and perform well with even with the weight of adult sized instructors aboard, should they need to help the participants.
Can my child sail on the same boat with their friends during the course?
Yes, however if required the instructors will allocate the children into teams if children come to the course on their own. Instructors will allocate specific teams for reasons associated with ability, safety, behaviour &/or confidence.
What if my child is a little nervous about sailing?
Our Instructors have years of experience in teaching juniors how to Sail. Our primary aim is to provide a fun, exciting and safe boating experience. Please don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns prior to the lesson with the Instructor.
What safety precautions are there for participants?
We take safety very seriously. We have on and off water policies that our instructor’s follow and use to base their decisions upon. When on the water all participants must wear PFD1’s (Australian Standards Approved) which we supply. The theme of water safety runs throughout the course. The Club Marine SYC Boating Academy and its instructors adheres to policy and procedures set by our governing body; Yachting Australia
Are the instructors qualified?
Yes, the instructors and assistants are qualified with Level 1 Australian Sailing Instructors Certificates and are trained specifically for the SYC Boating Academy courses. All of the coaches are very experienced dinghy sailors.
What happens at the end of the course?
At the conclusion of the course students will receive a certificate as well as information regarding further courses and club programs. Instructors will be available to discuss sailing pathways and general advice for those looking to continue their sailing experience.
Why sail at Sandringham?
Sandringham Yacht Club has some of the best facilities for small boat sailing on Port Phillip. When the weather is favourable the dynamic sailing environment of Port Phillip is an ever changing and challenging playground for junior sailors. Due to location and facilities, sailing is less likely to be cancelled at Sandringham than other bayside clubs. Club boats are stored and rigged just metres from the harbours sandy edge where the water is protected and flat, perfect for beginners and for sailing in stronger wind. A dedicated Off The Beach building with classroom, change room, registration room and equipment storage facilities is utilised for all junior programs. With more than 300 junior members, a full – time club coach, established sailing pathways and an active Youth Development Squad, Sandringham Yacht Club is THE perfect place to learn and continue to sail.