Learning to sail is one of the most satisfying, inclusive and fulfilling activities a child can do.
Particularly when you get to do it with your friends!
OutThere Sailing is for 11-17 year olds who want to try sailing in a non-competitive, social and fun setting
Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience or club membership to participate. All the equipment, including the boats and lifejackets, is provided.
A 1-day option to ‘give sailing a try’ before committing to a full course, or just because you want to have a fun day out on the water.
Most often conducted during the school holidays, running from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Absolutely no prior sailing skills needed, we cater for complete beginners. Come along with a friend and spend the day learning something new!
If you enjoy the day, you can enrol in one of our school holiday courses or join a term-based course.
An after-school youth sailing program on inshore keelboats.
Catering for absolute beginners as well as upskilling current sailors into keelboats.
The program allows both complete novices to learn to sail and experienced dinghy sailors a guided transition into keelboat sailing. By running the two levels of the program side-by-side sailors can see the progressions available.
We continue to build on individual sailing skills week to week so that the young sailors are always learning.
We aim to progress all sailors to the point that they can confidently, with their crew, sail a keelboat themselves without the instructor on board.
These courses can lead interested participants into our Youth Keelboat Squad program – a winter coaching program aimed at racing in events with teams from other yacht clubs in NSW. We encourage all OutThere sailors to join the Development Squad.
We also encourage our OutThere sailors to consider our Youth League sailing in the Elliott 6s on Friday afternoons, as well as our Youth Development Regatta and/or Academy Graduates Development Regatta.
Recommended Age – 11 – 17 years.
A holiday program focusing on sailing keelboats, learning about powerboats, navigation, how to row a boat and all things maritime!
A fun place, in the outdoors, to hang out with friends for the holidays!
School holiday courses run:
Sporting Schools is an Australian Government initiative designed to help schools increase children’s participation in sport and connect them with community sport opportunities.
Sporting Schools offers grant opportunities for primary schools, and targeted grant opportunities for secondary schools in relation to Years 7 and 8 students. Grants support the delivery of sport-based programs to help students build confidence and capabilities to be active for life.
We are proud to an an ‘approved coaching provider’ for sailing for both primary & secondary programs, offering opportunities in both junior dinghies & inshore keelboats.
If your school is interested in sailing with us, we offer a range of options, multi-session programs and single day experiences to cater for your learning needs and timetabling.
More information on Sporting Schools – https://www.sportaus.gov.au/schools/schools/sports/sailing
Please contact us here at the Sailing Academy for more information:
E: sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au
P: 4940 8188
If you are interested in school sailing activities for years 9 and above, or outside the Sporting Schools framework, we are very happy to work with you for a program that suits your needs. Whether it is part for your PDHPE program or Marine Studies, or even as after-school activities, we can assist you.
To discuss options, please contact the Sailing Academy.
E: sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au
P: 4940 8188
We welcome home school programs to join us for mid-week sailing experiences or series of lessons.
These are offered in both Tackers junior dinghies (7-12 years) or our OutThere Sailing keelboats (11-17 years).
Please contact the Sailing Academy to discuss options, which days of the week, times and program duration would suit you.
The costs are based on the number of students involved (number of boats needed), and the length of the program. We are happy to provide a quote.
For more information:
E: sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au
P: 4940 8188
Our OutThere Sailing programs are offered as multiple 5-weeks blocks during Term 1 and Term 4 of the school year, or as 4-day school holiday programs.
Our term-based program runs on Tuesday afternoons after school (4:30pm to 7:00pm), taking advantage of daylight savings.
School holiday programs run for a full day, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
We also offer 1-day OutThere Sailing Experiences around the school holidays for those who might like to ‘give it a try’ for just the one day.
1-day Experience – $87.50 per student
5-week Term Program – $215 per student
4-day School Holiday course – $345 per student
Course Fee includes:
The NSW Government is helping kids get active with the Active Kids program and Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club is an approved provider.
Parent, guardians and carers can apply for a $50 voucher for each school-enrolled child. Apply for your voucher online with Service NSW.
The voucher number will need to be submitted at the time of registration.
You must also please use the discount code ACTIVE50 when registering to deduct the $50 from your invoice total.
Families with three (3) children participating in our Tackers and/or OutThere Sailing courses together, receive a 5% discount on each course fee.
Families with four (4) children receive a 10% discount on each course fee.
For Example, Two children are doing Tackers 1 in week 1 of the school holidays, another sibling is doing Tackers 2 and the fourth sibling is doing the OutThere Sailing course in the second week of the school holiday – all four registration fees are discounted by 10%.
Please use the discount code – THREEKIDS or FOURKIDS in each child’s registration to apply the discount.
If you also wish to also use an Active Kids voucher, please contact us in the Sailing Office so we can assist in applying all discounts – sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au / 4940 8188.
Current financial NCYC members are offered a discount on training courses for their children or grandchildren.
10% for General Members.
5% for Crew Members.
Please use the discount code GEN-MEMBER or CREW-MEMBER when making payment and we will confirm against your NCYC Membership number.
All you need to wear are some comfortable, warm clothes that are suitable for outdoor activity and allow you freedom of movement, with a pair of enclosed shoes to protect your feet.
Active wear is suitable or shorts/trousers/boardshorts & t-shirt/polo shirt. A wind/spray jacket is a good idea for cooler days.
Joggers/sandshoes or any non-marking rubber soled shoes that provide support would be suitable.
For sun protection we recommend a hat with a chin strap or one that is firm fitting so as not to blow off in the wind. Don’t forget suncream! Sunglasses should be secured with a flexible strap if possible.
We will supply you with a correctly fitting self inflating life-jacket or personal flotation device(PFD).
Your ‘sailing gear’ may get slightly wet from occasional splashes.
It’s a good idea to also bring a waterbottle, and for the longer school holiday sessions, please pack lunch and snacks in an easily transportable bag/soft esky.
Our OutThere Sailing program is conducted on the Club’s fleet of ‘Force 24’ keelboats, which are 24 feet (7.31m) long and carry an Instructor and up to four course participants.
We will sail with a headsail or jib (small sail at the front) and a mainsail (large sail on the tall mast).
All sailing boats lean to the side with the wind but these boats were specifically designed for teaching beginning sailors and are very stable. They have a large lead keel for ballast that prevents the boat from tipping over.
As a course participant you will be actively involved in sailing the boats, pulling ropes, moving around the boat and most importantly ducking under the boom to swap sides as you tack or gybe to change directions. Your instructor will lead you through all of these sailing terms and will explain each of these actions.
We will be sailing inshore on the mainly flat waters of Newcastle Harbour, we do not go out onto the ocean.
We will be introducing the Pacer dinghy to the OutThere Sailing program so as to provide some variety and the opportunity to develop some different sailing skills.
The Pacer is sailed either two or three-up and has a jib and mainsail. There is the option to learn to use spinnakers on the Pacers.
And we can also learn how to right a boat after capsize to further develop all round skills.
Our wonderful team of instructors are all skilled and experienced sailors, many of whom actively sail themselves every weekend.
The all hold specific keelboat qualifications with Australian Sailing (AS) as well as additional & complimentary certifications.
NCYC has developed a comprehensive Sailing Pathway to help guide sailors of all ages and is one of only a few clubs in Australia that deliver all Australian Sailing pathway levels, from the beginnings right through to the advanced programs.
We are continually developing opportunities to support those who have come through the Sailing Academy and wish to continue on and progress their skills & knowledge in various sailing activities.
If you’re interested in our Youth Keelboat Program that runs during the winter months, please click through for further information.
You might like to also check out the Adult Sailing Pathway for even more options!
Do you have to be a member of NCYC to participate in OutThere Sailing?
No, one of the great things about OutThere Sailing is you don’t have to be a member of our club to participate.
How old does my child need to be to participate? 
The program is open for children between the recommended ages of 11 to 17 years of age. We do accept 10 year olds if parents feel their child works well in a team/group environment and is confident with new activities.
Do kids need to be able to swim to participate in OutThere Sailing?
A competent standard of swimming ability is desirable, however the kids will be wearing lifejackets at all times.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to talk to our Sailing Manager (sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au) or the Instructor if you have any concerns.
What type of boats will the kids be sailing?
The OutThere Sailing program at NCYC is delivered primarily in Force 24 inshore keelboats. We do on occasion use Pacer sailing dinghies.
There is more information and photos of the Boats We Sail on our website.
Can my child sail on the same boat with their friends during the course?
Absolutely! One of the big focuses of the OutThere Sailing program is spending time with friends as well as making new ones.
What if my child is a little nervous about sailing?
Our Instructors have a lot of experience in teaching young people how to sail. Our primary aim is to provide a fun, exciting and safe boating experience.
Please don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with our Senior Instructor or prior to the lesson with the Lead Instructor.
What safety precautions are there for participants?
We take safety very seriously. When on the water all participants must wear a correctly fitting Personal Floatation Device(PFD) or manual-inflating lifejacket (Australian Standards Approved) which we supply.
The NCYC Sailing Academy and its instructors adhere to policies and procedures set by our governing body; Australian Sailing.
Are the instructors qualified?
Yes, all of our instructors on the OutThere Sailing courses are qualified with Australian Sailing and hold Keelboat Instructor Certificates. Most also hold Dinghy Instructor and Powerboat Handling certificates/boat licences.
Our Instructors also hold First Aid Certificates and a Working With Children clearance.
Do the kids need any special clothing to participate in OutThere Sailing?
We recommend kids wear clothes and shoes that they don’t mind possibly getting a bit wet. Always ensure they bring a hat for sun protection.
There’s more information about What to Wear on our website.
The kids can bring a towel and a change of clothes as we have change room facilities in the main clubhouse, including showers.
Do you offer family discounts?
Yes, we do!
Families with three children participating in our Tackers and/or OutThere Sailing courses together receive a 5% discount on each course fee and families with four children receive a 10% discount on each course fee. Please click through to our Course Fees & Discounts page for full details.
Where do we go for the sailing activities?
Our OutThere Sailing program is run from NCYC’s marina – on F-Arm, just out the front of the clubhouse. Please meet your instructor at the top of F-arm.
Do I need to provide snacks & lunch?
Our weekly OutThere Sailing sessions run for 2.5hours so we generally don’t stop for snacks – we’re too busy! Our Instructors can take food on-water with them should a child require something within this period.
During our school holiday courses where we run for longer periods, we do encourage the kids to bring lunch & snacks with them in a waterproof easily transportable bag/pouch. It is very important that the kids bring a waterbottle with them. Please ensure your child’s name is clearly written on all items.
Where will the children be sailing?
On the waters of Newcastle Harbour. We do not sail offshore. On occasion we do adventure upriver. A support powerboat is with the sailing boats at all times, should we need to return to shore quickly or tow boats back to the marina.
My child loves the program, can they do more than one course?
Yes, absolutely! The program is designed to constantly extend and challenge the children’s skills & knowledge in sailing, seamanship, navigation, team-work and maritime activities. And to just keep having fun and enjoying being with friends.
We have many kids come along week after week and every school holidays because they just enjoy being on the water.
What other options can come next?
We are the only club in our region to offer structured keelboat sailing opportunities to youth sailors. We have developed (and continue to develop) options to keep the kids sailing – in a sport for life!
A popular option is to join the Youth Keelboat Squad which runs during the Autumn/Winter months and involves coaching to extend skills, learning to race and participating in youth regattas.
Our Youth Development Regatta is held in March each year and provides a fun opportunity for the kids to learn how to race in a regatta whilst being supported by on-water coaches. This is an ideal progressive step from our OutThere Sailing program.
For those who have developed some racing skill, our Youth League, sailed on Friday afternoons in our fleet of Elliott 6 inshore keelboats takes sailing skills to the next level.
If your child is keen to pursue sailing in offshore keelboats, our Transition to Yachting program is an ideal option to transfer their sailing skills onto a larger 40ft yacht. Participants must be 16years or older for this program.
If you would like to discuss which sailing options would be best for your child, please feel free to contact us in the Sailing Office 4940 8188 or via email sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au
Major Sponsor of the NCYC’s OutThere Sailing program
Number 1 National Keelboat Program centre in Australia
Number 2 Discover Sailing Centre in Australia
Number 4 Tackers centre in Australia
Number 5 OutThere Sailing centre in Australia
Australian Sailing Annual Participation Report for year end 2024
Contact Us:
For more information or assistance with booking, please contact us at the Sailing Academy!
(02) 4940 8188
sailingacademy@ncyc.net.au
