Learn to Sail for Adults

• Have fun and make new friends by enrolling in our Beginner-level sailing course at SBSC.

• You will learn and practice the fundamentals of sailing that will allow you to grow into a competent and confident sailor. 

• Our Adult Sailing Instructors have many years of experience in teaching to sail on the Brisbane River, and have competed in State and National Championships.
• Sail in one of our favourite Heron sailing dinghies.

Classes

Our beginner level classes are offered as a package of 10 weeks, with 8 classes on Saturday mornings at SBSC, and 2 classes on Sunday mornings at Lake Samsonvale Sailing Club.

• In weeks 1 to 5 you will learn the basics of sailing including: how to rig your boat, safe sailing practice, how to use sails and steer a sailing dinghy at different points of sailing, and fundamental seamanship skills about the weather and knots. You will be on the water most weeks and learn how to safely right a boat after a capsize.  
• In weeks 6 to 10 you will practice and apply skills learned in the first 5 weeks including refined tacking and gybing, weight placement and sailing between marks.

By the completion of the course, you will be proficient in boat terminology, able to rig independently, and able to safely sail at all points of sailing in light conditions.   

Class Times and Dates

Adult Learn to Sail classes (Start Sailing 1 and 2) are held on Saturdays and Sundays at following times:

• South Brisbane Sailing Club (8 weeks – Saturday morning)
  • 9:00am – 12:00pm Sat 25 Jan 2025 - Sat 29 Mar 2025
• Lake Samsonvale Sailing Club (2 weeks – Sunday morning)
  • 8:00am – 1:00pm Sun 2 Feb 2025 (departure and arrival times from SBSC)
  • 8:00am – 1:00pm Sun 16 Feb 2025 (departure and arrival times from SBSC)

Experience and requirements

No previous sailing experience is required. Because dinghy sailing can be physically demanding, you do need to be fit and agile.

This includes:

• ability to swim 50m
• sufficient upper body strength to pull yourself out of a swimming pool without assistance
• good balance and agility to move quickly when the boat is moving

Cost

• $590 for 10 weeks

What to bring

• Life Jackets are supplied. 
• Wear clothes that you don't mind getting wet - a light long sleeved shirt (for sun protection) and shorts
• Light footwear that you don't mind getting wet
• A hat and sun-screen
• Water bottle
• A towel to dry off.

Parking can be limited so please aim to arrive 15 mins before the allocated start time.

All participants must register and pay before attending. 

For more details go to our Adult Learn to Sail Page.

Course Overview
This course combines Start Sailing 1 and 2 together.

Course Prerequisites

Water confident.

Who should do this course?

This course is designed for participants who wish to begin sailing in a dinghy. All the equipment and gear will be provided by your accredited Discover Sailing Centre.

Course Outcome

You will gain your Start Sailing 1 And Start Sailing 2 completion certificate. 

We recognise that some of our course participants are completing the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award and may be using sailing and/or club membership to complete one or more sections of The Award. To learn more, click here.