About

Parkdale Yacht Club offers two adult learn to sail courses over the sailing season 2024/25. Each course will consist of a 6-week program, held on Saturday mornings between 8:30am and 11:30am. Participants will learn the fundamental skills of dinghy sailing in a Pacer, off the beach, from our experienced instructors in a fun and supportive environment. A pacer dinghy is usually sailed with 2 people on board. As part of our Learn to Sail program we actively encourage students to transition to our afternoon club racing upon completion of the course. This is a great way to consolidate and build upon your new sailing skills.

Skills 

At the completion of the course, our participants will have these skills:

• Knowledge of boat parts and functions,
• How to rig and unrig a pacer dinghy,
• Basic rope work,
• How to launch and return the boat to shore,
• Correct sailing techniques and boat handling,
• Understand weather conditions and safety on the water/beach,
• Able to safely right a dinghy after capsizing.

Key information 

Participants should have basic swim skills; ideally be able to swim a short distance, be able to tread water comfortably and have water confidence.

If the weather is unsuitable, we will reschedule to another day. 

Experience the inner workings of our Club by either electing to join our rescue boat crew on the water or assist in the race-control tower during one Sunday afternoon's Club racing session. This experience allows you to observe how racing is conducted on the water and how we monitor the safety of our fleet from the race-tower, plus you get to meet and socialise with other members of our Club.

We train in small group sessions.

 PYC is Sunsmart. Our Club encourages sunsmart behaviour. 

 It is important for a lifejacket to be a good fit, age and weight appropriate. A Type 1 (level 100+) or Type 2 (level 50) lifejacket is a legal requirement and will be supplied by the club or may be purchased. A badly fitted lifejacket may become dislodged by going over the wearer's head. All straps should be secure to ensure the optimum performance of your lifejacket.  Life jacket Information

Cost 

•  $320 for 6-week program

Includes:

• Complimentary Adult membership for your first season,
• Shared use of Club training boats (Pacers),
• Use of appropriate life jacket supplied by the Club,
• Australian Sailing Membership,
• Coverage by Australian Sailing's Personal Accident Insurance Policy.

Register your Expression of Interest in our Adult Learn To Sail program.

Don't delay, places are limited!

 Pre-Christmas program HERE  

 After-Christmas program HERE 

What to bring 

• Hat and sunscreen,
• Sailing booties,
• Towel and dry change of clothes,
• Optional: A wetsuit and windbreaker jacket can keep you warm if the weather is cold and windy,
• Life jacket, Type 1 or 2,  (optional if you wish to have your own).

Dates & session times for 2024-25 

Saturday mornings 8:30am to 11:30am

Program #1

• November 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th
• December 7th & 14th

Program #2

• February 1st? (to be confirmed), 15th
• March 1st, 8th, 22nd, 29th