Sailing on the inshore waters of Newcastle Harbour gives us the opportunity to sail in a protected yet challenging waterway, with fantastic views and varied conditions.
We welcome you to join us and start your sailing journey with us today . . .
DISCOVER SAILING EXPERIENCE
Have you always wanted to ‘try sailing’?
Join us for one of our ‘Discover Sailing Experiences’ which provides that opportunity to get out on the water and see what it’s like.
Our experienced sailing instructors will take you out on one of our small inshore keelboats to “give you a taste” of what sailing is all about. You will spend 3 hours learning basic sailing skills, terminology, and boat handling manoeuvres.
Enjoy the unique opportunity to see our city from a different perspective!
This might just whet your appetite to join us for one of our Learn to Sail courses . . .
$80 per person, conducted on weekend mornings from 9:00am to 12:00noon.
“Just what I wanted with lots of hands on experience and guidance. Should have done it years ago.”
“Learnt heaps! Our instructor was very knowledgeable and sharing.”
“Emma was really good. Her personality and relaxed way made for a really enjoyable day.”
“The instructor was excellent and the boat was ideal for learning.”
“It was a fantastic experience that everyone should do one day.”
‘GIVE IT A GO’ RACING – Winter!
Join us on a Sunday morning* and sail alongside our Club Winter Ocean Pointscore racers!
No previous sailing experience is required, you’ll have an instructor onboard to guide you!
Sailing on our ‘Force 24’ inshore keelboats which carry a crew of five.
You’ll have the chance to quickly ‘learn the ropes’, then start the first race (near Honeysuckle), and chart your course around the marker buoys, then head to the finish. Up to three more races to see who’s crew reigns supreme!
This is a fun sailing experience to give you a taste of the skills & knowledge our learn-to-sail courses deliver.
We’ll meet at the marina at 11:00am for a briefing & boat rigging, the first race start will be at 11:30am.
Depending upon the wind, we’ll be back into the marina around 1:30pm to unrig.
We’ll then head up to the clubhouse with the rest of the NCYC racing crews for the presentation, to see who takes out the ‘Boat of the Day’ prize!
Secure your place on a racing crew for only $10 per person.
Why not organise a group of four friends and sail together with our instructor to make your crew of five!
Bookings are essential – Numbers are capped – Enrolments are open until 2:00pm on the Friday before our day of sailing.
Because the program is so popular, we’ve had to restrict it to a maximum of three sessions per person, so more people are able to Give Racing a Go!
*During Winter (May/June/July) only
‘GIVE IT A GO’ RACING – Summer!
Join us on a Wednesday evening* and sail alongside our Club Twilight Racers
No previous sailing experience required, you’ll have an instructor onboard to guide you!
Sailing on our ‘Force 24’ inshore keelboats which carry a crew of five.
You’ll have the chance to quickly ‘learn the ropes’, then start the race (near Queens Wharf), and head up to Nobby’s, round the marker buoy and then head back to the finish near the clubhouse – all whilst taking in the amazing view of our beautiful city from the water!
We’ll meet at the marina at 5:30pm for a briefing & boat rigging, the race start will be at 6:00pm.
Depending upon the wind, we’ll be back into the marina around 7:30pm to unrig.
We’ll head up to the clubhouse with the rest of the NCYC racing crews for the presentation, to see who takes out the ‘Boat of the Day’ prize!
Secure your place on a racing crew for only $55 per person.
Why not organise a group of four friends and sail together with our instructor to make your crew of five!
Bookings are essential – Enrolments are open until 12:00pm on the day of sailing.
*During Daylight Savings only
FRIDAY TWILIGHT SAILING
A great way to kick-start your weekend . . .
Walk or light-rail it down from the office, jump on-board for a casual easy sail and see our city from a totally new angle!
5:30pm meet at the top of F-Arm of our Marina (out the front of the clubhouse).
We’ll be back ashore around 7:30pm as the sun is setting, then we’ll head up to the Clubhouse for a free drink!
We run weekly on a Friday during Daylight Savings Time (DST).
You can join us either as a regular activity or just on the ad-hoc dates that suit your lifestyle.
We cater for complete beginners through to those enjoying a regular sail. Our Force 24 inshore keelboats carry a qualified instructor and up to four participants.
Bookings are essential – Enrolments are open until 12:00pm on the day of sailing.
Just $55 per person for a Friday sail and a drink in the clubhouse afterwards . . . and maybe stay for dinner!
FAMILY SAILING ADVENTURES
Time spent with family is worth every second . . .
Join us as a family group for a two-hour sailing experience which provides that opportunity to get out on the water and spend time together doing something fun!
Conducted on Friday afternoons during daylight savings times from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
$200 per boat, which can carry up to four family members plus our instructor (more kids? Please see our FAQs)
Suitable for children from 7 years of age onwards and at least one adult must be onboard.
We require a minimum of two participants, plus our instructor to sail the boat safely (pending weather conditions).
You’ll also receive a gift voucher to enjoy a free share bowl of chips back in the clubhouse while you share your ‘sailing stories’ . . .
So why not be intentional about planning some family time into your week.
You’ll be making great memories for you and your children and likely relieving stress in the process!
It can be a once-off session or make it a weekly habit . . .
Just wait for your kids to start asking, “can we do that again?”
WHAT TO WEAR
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 & 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.
FORCE 24s
Our keelboat sailing courses are conducted on the Club’s fleet of ‘Force 24s’, 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 (and support you through) 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.
INSTRUCTORS
Our wonderful team of Instructors are all skilled and experienced sailors, many of whom actively sail themselves every weekend.
All hold specific keelboat qualifications with Australian Sailing (AS) as well as additional & complimentary certifications.
- AS Keelboat Instructor certificate
- Instructor General Principles
- First Aid certificate
- Working with Children Check
- Powerboat Handling certificate and General Boat Licence
ADULT SAILING PATHWAY
NCYC has developed a comprehensive Sailing Pathway to help guide sailors of all ages and abilities in the right direction 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 to progress their skills and knowledge in various sailing activities.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Details are being updated and will be posted soon!
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