Day sailing, keelboat handling and coastal navigation for children and adults in the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte and Tory Channel. Yachting New Zealand certificates from an RYA-qualified team since 2009.
See course dates & enrol →Sailing games in Optimists on Waikawa Bay. Confidence on the water, basic steering and sail trim. Saturday mornings, 8-week blocks.
$195 / termOptimist and Starling sailing with racing introduction. Points of sail, tacking, gybing, capsize recovery. Saturdays 10 am – 1 pm.
$285 / termCrew skills on our Noelex 25 "Tūī" — winch work, spinnaker handling, helming in the Sounds. Sundays 9 am – 3 pm, includes lunch.
$395 / termInvitation-only squad for Starling and 420 class sailors preparing for regional regattas. Training Wednesday 4 pm and Saturday afternoon. Coach: Ben Thatcher (YNZ Performance Coach).
One day on the water aboard "Kāhu" (Farr 7500). No experience needed — learn to helm, trim and tack in Queen Charlotte Sound. Includes morning tea and lunch.
$195Three Saturdays building crew competence: sail changes, anchoring, man-overboard drills, close-quarters handling. Leads to YNZ Competent Crew.
$485Four-weekend theory + practical: chart work, GPS, tides, passage planning and a two-day cruise to Ship Cove. Leads to YNZ Day Skipper.
$795One overnight passage, Picton to Tory Channel and return. Light recognition, radar, watch-keeping. Prerequisite: Day Skipper or equivalent.
$395We are an accredited Yachting New Zealand Sailability and Education centre. Certificates issued on completion of practical and theory assessments:
| Certificate | Course |
|---|---|
| YNZ Competent Crew | Intermediate Keelboat |
| YNZ Day Skipper | Coastal Navigation |
| YNZ Coastal Skipper | Night Navigation + experience log |
| VHF Radio Operator | 1-day VHF course (run quarterly) |
One-day Maritime NZ VHF Operator Certificate. Next dates: 12 October, 7 December 2026. $175 including exam fee.
Life jackets, harnesses and wet-weather gear provided for all courses. Students supply their own non-marking footwear and warm layers.
Annual membership ($85 adult / $45 youth) gives access to Wednesday twilight sails, the boat library and 10% off all courses. Members can crew on club boats for the Waikawa Bay Summer Series.
Sailing conditions
Queen Charlotte Sound and Waikawa Bay are among the most sheltered sailing waters in New Zealand. That's why we're here.
Enrol now
Courses fill early — especially Tackers and the Intro Day Sail. Enrol below or call 03 573 0000.