16 ft yacht club belmont

• Accommodation
• Travel Inspiration

• destinations
• north coast
• lake macquarie area
• food and drink

Belmont 16s Sailing Club

A National Premier Sailing Club situated over Lake Macquarie with various modern incredible dining offerings, water view event spaces, live shows as well as dedicated craft beer bar and rooftop cocktail bar, 'Martha'.

Belmont 16s Sailing Club currently features two bars and four dining offerings on ground level with a range of alfresco spaces, a tucked away play area for children and fore deck on the water boasting 180-degree views of Lake Macquarie.

On level one you will find a large auditorium and 2 event suites with unrivalled views, catering to in-demand concerts and ticketed shows as well as weddings, corporate events, private celebrations and community fundraisers.

Accessibility

Actively welcomes people with access needs.

Advise tour guides of the access needs of guests at the time of booking (includes pick up and drop off requirements)

Caters for people who are blind or have vision loss

Caters for people who use a wheelchair.

Caters for people with allergies and intolerances.

Caters for people with high support needs who travel with a support person

Caters for people with sufficient mobility to climb a few steps but who would benefit from fixtures to aid balance. (This includes people using walking frames and mobility aids)

Employ people with disability

Offer a range of contact methods for receiving complaints

Offer multiple options for booking - web, email, phone

Train your staff in communicating with people with learning or behavioural challenges

Train your staff in disability awareness

Use Plain English / easy read signage and information (includes menus and emergency information)

Welcomes and assists people who have challenges with learning, communication, understanding and behaviour. (includes people with autism, intellectual disability, Down syndrome, acquired brain injury (ABI), dyslexia and dementia)

More Like This

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay connected to Visit NSW for all the latest news, stories, upcoming events and travel inspiration.

Discover Somewhere New

All the insider news, tips and inspiration you need to plan your next trip, delivered straight to your inbox.

Destination NSW acknowledges and respects Aboriginal people as the state’s first people and nations and recognises Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners and occupants of New South Wales land and water.

• NSW Government
• Destination New South Wales (Corporate site)

VisitNSW.com is the official tourism site for Destination NSW. © Copyright 2024 Destination NSW. All rights reserved

• Interactive Map results

Belmont 16s Sailing Club

• [email protected]
• Visit website

A National Premier Sailing Club situated over Lake Macquarie with various modern incredible dining offerings and water view event spaces.

A National Premier Sailing Club situated over Lake Macquarie with various modern incredible dining offerings, water view event spaces, live shows as well as dedicated craft beer bar and rooftop cocktail bar, 'Martha'.

Belmont 16s Sailing Club currently features two bars and four dining offerings on ground level with a range of alfresco spaces, a tucked away play area for children and fore deck on the water boasting 180-degree views of Lake Macquarie.

On level one you will find a large auditorium and 2 event suites with unrivalled views, catering to in-demand concerts and ticketed shows as well as weddings, corporate events, private celebrations and community fundraisers.

Location & Directions

Sign up to receive the latest news, deals & travel inspiration, subscribe to our mailing list.

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Boats for sale

• Latest videos, from 2022
• Oldest videos, from 1947 onwards

• Club Competition Club Competition Club Competition Sailor & Boat Registration Race Documents Club Results Code of Behaviour Boat Storage 16ft Skiff Cherubs Lasers Flying 11 Pelicans O'pen Skiffs Boats for Sale Crew Register Historical Results
• TACKERS - Learn to Sail TACKERS - Learn to Sail TACKERS - Learn to Sail Upcoming Courses
• Volunteering
• Regattas Regattas Regattas Boat Trailer Parking Visiting Sailor Information Visiting Coach Information
• Trophy Room
• Membership Membership Membership Membership Renewal Club Policies Club History

Latest news

Upcoming events.

• Place an Ad

AIMEX Announces ASMEX 2025 Conference Dates

Belmont 16s celebrating a century of sailing in style.

A century of sailboat racing on Belmont Bay, Lake Macquarie, will be celebrated on October 8-9, with Belmont 16s staging a major two-day regatta for its dinghy classes and 16-Foot skiff fleet.

Original Belmont Club House

Rigging for First Race – 7 Oct 1922

The club is kick-starting the weekend on Friday night with a spectacular commemoration dinner, MC-ed by Vince Sorrenti and featuring entertainment by iconic Australian singer Kate Ceberano and the Ned Vermey Band.

It turns back the clock to October 7, 1922, when 400 people gathered on the Lake shoreline to watch the start of 16-Foot skiff racing at the newly formed Belmont club, which would subsequently grow to become one of the biggest and best in Australia.

Coming just seven years after World War I, the Lake community had rallied to build a humble sailing club for young men who were still licking their wounds. Seven skiffs and their crews, resplendent in uniform, set sail to greet the starter. At stake was prize money of £12, equivalent to a month’s wages in those days.

Prominent Newcastle businessmen John and Mark Reid – nephews of Sir George Houston Reid, fourth Prime Minister of Australia (1904-05) and NSW Premier (1894-99) – were major driving forces. The venture soon attracted 50 members, yet these intrepid forefathers couldn’t possibly have conceived that, a century later, membership would exceed 36,000.

Highlights for the club include hosting, and winning, numerous world, national and state sailing championships, along with the televised NBN sprint series and the Combined High Schools (CHS) regatta that was first contested in May 1967.

First Fleet – 7 Oct 1922

16ft skiff from 1939 season

The club’s evergreen Pelican trainer class was introduced in the early 1960s and, along with the VJ and Flying 11, has since produced some of the finest sailors to come out of Lake Macquarie, including Olympians and multiple world champions.

Today, Belmont 16s has a major extension and renovation project under construction, plus strong fleets of 16s, Cherubs, Lasers, Flying 11s, Pelicans and O’Pen skiffs as it reflects on the past and looks forward to the next 100 years. The Centenary Regatta is open to sailors from all other clubs who are currently sailing in these classes.

CHS regatta 1971

16s racing 2021-22 season

Website: 16s.com.au

Subscribe to our Newsletter

" * " indicates required fields

In other news...

Father-son duo take 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet past 50

Aussie to conquer 14,000km solo Pacific Ocean row on April 3

Limited exhibitor opportunities – Book now!

• Photo Library
• Jobs Vacant
• Jobs Wanted

• AMERICA'S CUP
• CLASSIFIEDS
• NEWSLETTERS
• SUBMIT NEWS

Belmont's 16-Foot skiff season off to a flyer

Related Articles

Quick Links

Belmont 16ft Sailing Club 100 years - club hits centenary milestone with redevelopment set to begin

Belmont 16ft Sailing Club will mark a major milestone on Friday with its centenary celebrations.

Subscribe now for unlimited access .

Login or signup to continue reading

Club historian Roger Steel said the meeting to form the club was held 100 years ago on May 13, 1922.

While many know the club as an entertainment venue, Mr Steel said the club's main purpose remained the promotion of 16-foot skiff sailing.

"That's just as it was 100 years ago," he said.

The first regatta in Belmont Bay took place on Easter Monday on April 18, 1881.

It was named the "Belmont and Pelican Flat Regatta" and had a program of sculling, sailing and novelty events.

Mr Steel said a sailing movement spread around the nation at the turn of the century.

"The rapid growth of the 16-foot skiff class was interrupted by war from 1914 to 1918," he said.

By 1922, Belmont was ready for a 16-foot skiff sailing club.

An advertisement was placed in the Newcastle Sun for people interested in the formation of a sailing club at Belmont.

They were asked to attend a meeting at the Belmont School of Arts at 8pm on May 13. "A young man from Marks Point named Albert Smith was listed as promoter," he said.

The meeting was a success, with a decision to start a sailing club at Belmont under Port Jackson sailing skiff rules.

Eight skiffs committed to compete under the new club's banner.

Work began immediately on fundraising, with a euchre card party and dance organised.

As the sailing season neared, the club had attracted about 50 members.

Several new boats were built in anticipation.

The opening day at Belmont was held on October 7, 1922, with 400 people gathered along the foreshore.

Mr Steel said the centenary of the club's first race on that date is planned to be marked with a ball and celebration.

"It's not confirmed yet, but there's talk of getting some historic skiffs from Sydney, the old wooden ones, to sail at the event."

Volunteers built the first clubhouse over the water on Brooks Parade in Belmont. It was opened on October 6, 1923.

The club moved to its present location in 1952.

Mr Steel said the centenary celebration would be an "acknowledgement of the roots of the club and gratitude for the people who built it".

"The club has served so many roles in the community.

"If there's a birthday or christening, Belmont people invariably go back to the 16-footers to have a meal.

"It's more than just a sailing club. It's a meeting place."

The club has long been a popular stop for bands in the Australian rock scene, from the golden era in the 1970s and 1980s to more recent years.

When Midnight Oil played there in 2016, frontman Peter Garrett told the crowd : "I got prawns in Budgewoi tonight. I'm king of the world."

The club first obtained a liquor licence in 1958.

"A lot of other classes of sailing boat clubs died off or reduced in numbers," Mr Steel said.

"But 16-foot skiff clubs got on board with registered clubs and poker machines.

"That's what kept the 16-foot skiff class alive. Manly 16ft Skiff Sailing Club is really successful. Similar to our club, they support sailing.

"It's the same thing with St George Sailing Club and Drummoyne Sailing Club."

He said the Belmont club runs junior sailing classes that "allow youngsters to develop and come through into the skiffs", along with the acclaimed Sailability program for people with a disability.

Club director and life member Garry Edwards said Belmont 16s was a philanthropic club.

It gives a lot of money to community groups, schools and sport.

Mr Edwards, a former Swansea MP, said the club recently gave $20,000 to the Pink Ladies at Belmont Hospital.

"Not long ago, the Valentine heated pool was having trouble. They needed money for urgent repairs, so they got $25,000.

"We are so proud of the club. The club itself is an amazing community institution."

He said the club had tremendous views across the lake.

"The sunsets are spectacular. All the different colours we get are amazing," he said.

Centenary Redevelopment

The 100-year milestone coincides with the club beginning a $20 million "centenary redevelopment".

Construction will begin in the next week, with the establishment of site offices.

The club won't close during construction, with the work to occur in stages.

Work is due to be completed by spring next year.

The construction contract was awarded to Newcastle company Graph Building.

The club's four dining outlets will be upgraded and function facilities will be redesigned for waterfront events and weddings. A roof-top bar is also planned.

"The best gift we can provide to our members to celebrate their club's centenary is modern and sophisticated facilities that meet their needs and showcase our magnificent location," club CEO Scott Williams said.

Mr Edwards said the renovations would transform the club.

"You won't recognise the place once it's finished."

The club's 600-seat auditorium has nine shows still to come this year, including the Angels, Screaming Jets and John Waters. Events won't be held at times due to surrounding construction, but the auditorium itself won't be redeveloped.

IN THE NEWS:

• Nikita Tszyu claims TKO victory, Gallen suffers second defeat in Newcastle
• Man arrested in Queensland allegedly trying to flee country in connection with $20m worth of cocaine found at Port of Newcastle
• Glendale now the focus for Newcastle Basketball's new stadium after Hillsborough rejected
• Man in John Hunter Hospital after car crashes into telegraph pole on Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae
• Lake Macquarie Private Hospital expansion: council approves $120m project to move to gateway determination

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

• Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
• Download our app
• Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Follow us on Google News

Damon Cronshaw

Health and medicine, science, research, nutrition, sport.

More from History News

Hunter pows experiences of nagasaki's 'hell on earth' 79 years on, meet the german 'gentleman pirate' who defied hitler, hunter collector's solid legacy built brick by brick, art at the heart of stroud spiritual site, from living in a migrant camp to serving in korea, vietnam, the rugged lives of the film pioneers behind old hunter cinemas, newsletters & alerts.

DAILY DURING PARALYMPICS

The Paralympic Breakfast

Get the best news and analysis from the Paris Paralympic Games in a daily update.

Your morning news

Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.

The latest news, results & expert analysis.

Note from the Editor

Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters.

Love footy? We've got all the action covered.

Explore Travel

Every Sunday explore destinations, deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around Australia and the globe.

Get the latest property and development news here.

What's On

Going out or staying in? Find out what's on.

The Echidna

Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more.

Red & Blue HQ

Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update.

TWICE WEEKLY

The Informer

Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday.

Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner.

Voice of Real Australia

Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over.

AS IT HAPPENS

Breaking news alert

Be the first to know when news breaks.

Today's Paper Alert

Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am!

Your favourite puzzles

Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

Advertisement

SKE Electrical, Scott Babbage. Pic - 16ft skiffs

QLD RW Retail. Pic - 16ft skiffs

Growthbuilt. Pic - 16ft skiffs

Insight Building Services, Rod Carter. Pic - 16ft skiffs

Bella Group, Georgia Steenson. Pic - 16ft skiffs

16ft skiff National favourites

An elite fleet of 45 boats is set to contest the 2021-2022 Red Pumps Australian 16ft Skiff Championships at Belmont, Lake Macquarie, from January 2-8, following the close of entries yesterday.

A further nine boats have nominated for the accompanying 13ft skiff titles.

On the weight of numbers, it’s shaping up to be city vs country stoush between the powerhouse Manly and Belmont clubs, whose on-water rivalry runs as long and deep as those of their 1997 NRL Grand Final counterparts, the Sea Eagles and Knights. 

The plucky Queenslanders are largely staying clear this year because of COVID-related uncertainty, with only two of a predicted six skiffs now venturing south of the Tweed – BGN from Brisbane, with Sarah Thorburn on the tiller, and Carlton Smith’s RW Retail from Darling Point Sailing Squadron.

Belmont 16s Commodore James Griffiths says the interclub competition adds some good-natured spice, with Manly having boasted some of the sport’s legendary surnames over past decades, including Treharne, Barnabas, Wilmot and Hyde.

“Manly dominated the results for a number of years and I guess we perceived them to be reasonably well-heeled, whereas the Belmont fleet comprises your tradies and miners who grafted a performance,” Griffiths explains.

That said, Belmont is hardly a poor cousin in terms of size, with almost 50,000 social members supporting the sailing activity, nor in its esteemed history.

“We’re entering our club’s 100th anniversary of sailing in 2022, so we’re thrilled to be able to continue the history and tradition with such strong fleets,” Griffiths adds. “And we’re delighted to host the Red Pumps national titles in this important year. There’s a real air of enthusiasm surrounding the club.”

Belmont’s River Wild and Newcastle Financial Planning Group (NFPG) claimed the quinella in the last nationals, a light-air affair held at Gosford. Manly then hit back in last month’s heavy-wind NSW titles via IMEI and Moonen Yachts, with Contender Sailcloth taking the final podium step for the Lake club.

Any thoughts of a home-ground advantage were erased in a recent Belmont club championship race where Manly’s Growthbuilt gate-crashed the party and won handsomely. Aboard were Nathan Wilmot and Malcolm Page, the most successful 470 class competitors in history, along with Lake legend and former Australian champion Brett Davis.

Insight Building Services played tug-of-war with the Sydney crew while gradually gapping their own fleet. In fact, ‘insight’ was the key word for skipper Rod Carter and crew Adam Gilson and Andrew Stone, who gained a valuable lesson in driving their skiff to its limits.

Rod Carter: “We can go into the nationals with a bit of confidence. The boat is certainly going quick and we’re sailing really well, but this will be an all-new ball game. Any one of about 10 boats can win, but we’ll give it a shake if we can string together a consistent series.”

Australian Moth champion Scott Babbage, who was also part of the Gotta Love It 7 18-Foot skiff crew, is helming the SKE Electrical skiff this season with sailmaker Scott Beeby on sheet and Joel Skelton on the bow. They’re the only crew to take a club championship race off Insight this season and remain a dark horse with impeccable DNA for the Australian title.

“We haven’t been starting overly well, but if we can get off the line with clear air we can be pretty quick at times,” Babbage says, modestly. “We’ve found a good mode with the big rig and it helps to have two big guys on the trap.”

Elsewhere in the fleet are a smattering of the old and new – Steven Chapman on One Too Many and Pepsi Max’s Ross Stutchbury in the former category as skippers – and 13ft Skiff graduate Will Divola in the latter. Bella Group’s Georgia Steenson, 17, is the youngest female skipper and she will be competing against her older brother Thomas and uncle Michael Quirk on Domino’s.

Family connections like this abound in the class. STA Building from Gosford, for example, is entirely crewed by the Akhurst clan, Steve, Troy and Will, and a number of boats have sibling or parent/child combinations.

Registration and measurement for the 2021-2022 Red Pumps Australian 16ft Skiff Championships will be held on January 1, racing to start the following day and run until Saturday, January 8. COVID-safe plans are in place for the event.

Details:  https://skiffs.org.au/event/2022-australian-skiff-championships/

By Mark Rothfield

ALSO ON MYSAILING

Emirates Team New Zealand win the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta

39th Edition of Hamilton Island Race Week Comes to a Close

Double bullet day for Aleph Racing at 44Cup Worlds

Changing fortunes on day 3 of Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta

The comeback king takes the win

Team Nika ahead at halfway stage of 44Cup World Championship Brunnen

Kiwis on top after day 2 of the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta

Women at the top at Hamilton Island Race Week

Edencraft Creative expands with Composites

Paris 2024 Olympians elected to World Sailing Athletes’ Committee

The Yacht Sales Co. Announces Special Dufour Yachts Showcase Event

Concord Ryde Sailing Club season start

Join Our Newsletter

• Name First Last
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Read all of the latest sailing news

Dinghy and Yacht Racing News

News from the offshore world

Cruising Stories from around the world

Boats & Gear

The latest boats and yachting gear

Watch everything sailing and boating

Latest Sailing News, Racing, Cruising, Boats, Gear and more

LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB

A charming active sailing club, bar, restaurant, function & wedding venue, 90 years of rich history on the lake, lake macquarie yacht club, home to lmyc bar and crusoe’s on the lake restaurant, is the perfect venue to dine and catch up with friends while admiring the beautifully unique view across belmont bay.

Waterfront Weddings

LAKE MACQUARIE YACHT CLUB GREATLY ACKNOWLEDGES OUR SPONSORS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE 2023-2024 SAILING SEASON.

Lake macquarie, one of the nation’s most popular sailing destinations.

LMYC is a strong club with a proud sailing history, boasting 90 years of service to Lake Macquarie and it’s surrounds.

No matter what class of boat you sail, you’re always welcome at Lake Macquarie Yacht Club. The Club offers a comprehensive year-round calendar to satisfy any competitive sailor.

LOVE TO CONNECT?

Sailing - Lake Macquarie Yacht Club

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

LATEST NEWS

THE FORECAST – JULY 2024

THE FORECAST – JUNE 2024

THE FORECAST – APRIL 2024

Sailors celebrate a century of skiffs on Lake Macquarie

By Scott Bevan

ABC Newcastle

Topic: Sailing

Gary Beecham holds a trophy his great-grandfather won on Lake Macquarie in 1911. ( ABC News: Scott Bevan )

For Gary Beecham, sailing a skiff on Lake Macquarie not only provides him with pleasure, it connects him with the memory of his forebears.

Key points:

• The Belmont 16s are celebrating 100 years of skiff sailing on Lake Macquarie
• Formed in 1922, the Belmont sailing club is now one of the biggest in Australia
• A two-day regatta is being held to celebrate a major milestone

"I was born into a skiff sailing family," 83-year-old Mr Beecham reminisced.

"My first adventure in a skiff was back in the 1957-58 season."

Mr Beecham is a fourth-generation skiff sailor and still has the silver cup his great-grandfather won in a regatta at Toronto, on the western side of the lake in 1911.

The Beecham family's history and that of a Lake Macquarie institution are entwined this weekend, as Belmont 16-Foot Sailing Club celebrates a significant milestone.

On October 7, 1922, about 400 hundred people stood along the shoreline to watch the first 16-foot skiff sailing race run by the newly formed club at Belmont Bay.

Preparations for the first 16-foot skiff race on Lake Macquarie in 1922. ( Supplied: Belmont 16s )

A century on, crowds will gather once more by, and on, the water at Belmont to be part of a two-day regatta.

Belmont 16s president David Berryman said about 100 boats will participate in the centenary regatta, including an event featuring historical 18-foot skiffs from Sydney.

"It's a celebration of our first race 100 years ago," he said.

"Our sailors get to celebrate by sailing, which is what we're all passionate about. 

"Belmont Bay is regarded as a premium sailing venue.

"It's a great stretch of water."

Mr Berryman said that contrary to the image of sailing being an elitist sport, many of Belmont's skiff sailors were local workers, including miners.

"It was a working class sport."

A club of champions

Through a century of sailing, the club has created national and international prize-winners.

"This club has produced world-class sailors, not only in 16-foot skiffs but also many, many other classes," Mr Beecham said, as he gestured toward a group of young sailors cleaning their dinghies after a race.

"The production line is continuing, as you can see on the rigging area there at the moment."

Sixteen-foot skiffs compete on Lake Macquarie during the 2021-22 racing season.  ( Supplied: Belmont 16s )

In 1922, the sailors were competing for prize money of 12 pounds, the equivalent of a month's wages.

One hundred years on, there is still prize money, but Mr Berryman said that was not the reason why sailors were taking part in the regatta.

"It is to celebrate and to be part of history," he said. 

For Mr Beecham, the regatta is an opportunity to honour both his family and a club he loves and is a life member of.

"If you can last 100 years sailing the one class of boat, it says something," Mr Beecham said.

"I think it says something for our wonderful sailing waters out in front of us.

"We just keep producing great sailors and our records stand up with anybody."

World Class Sailing

Belmont 16s Sailing Club are active ambassadors for the sport of sailing, from our fast growing learn to sail program “Tackers” through to the development of World Champions and Olympians.

Our Club is dedicated to 16′ skiff and its affiliated classes. 16′ skiffs are a uniquely designed Australian high-performance three-man dinghy. Other associated crafts we sail are o’pen skiffs, pelicans, lasers, cherubs and flying 11s.

Our sailing facilities offer an extensive race control with enhanced technology connectivity, a panoramic viewing deck, two flexible training rooms and custom skiff storage to cater for our growing and dynamic fleet.

We thrive to always provide the best and safest possible experience for all our junior and senior sailors, sailing teachers, volunteers, and spectators.

Belmont 16s Sailing Club hosts various exciting sailing events annually including state, national and world championships, for details on our next sailing event email our sailing management team .

Sailing Club Website

Sailing Club Schedule

Sailing Club Handbook

Race Results

Boat Storage Application

We have a rich sailing history that stretches over 100 years, along with many accolades that we recognise and share within our honour boards.

World class sailing, learn to sail tackers.

Belmont 16s sailing Club is an Accredited Discover Sailing Centre , offering Learn to Sail courses for juniors with experienced instructors during school holiday periods, week days and weekends throughout the warmer months of the year.

Tackers is a fun introductory, games-based kids learn to sail program designed for ages 7 to 12 years. Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience or club membership to participate. All the equipment, including the boats and lifejackets, is provided.

Tackers is delivered in small dinghies specifically designed for the program and supervised by Australian Sailing qualified Instructors and Assistant Instructors who are on the water all the time the kids are sailing.

Programs are either 4 or 5 days during the school holidays or over 8 – 10 weeks during term time. Each course is focused on having fun and playing games while learning the basics of sailing.

We accept NSW kids’ active vouchers towards school holiday and sport term tackers.

Want to understand how to progress through our sailing pathways from Tackers to Seniors? Here is an easy guide to show how our sailors progress through our sport.

If you are a sailing veteran or want to be a sailing volunteer please contact our sailing management team.

Do you have to be a member of the club to participate in tackers.

No, you don’t have to be a member of a club to participate.

Do kids need to be able to swim to participate in Tackers?

Some ability to swim would be preferable, however they will be wearing life jackets at all times. It is recommended that all participants can swim at least 25m. Parents/guardians, you are encouraged to talk to our Sailing Manager ( [email protected] ) or the Tackers Instructor if you have any concerns.

What type of boats will the kids be sailing?

The Tackers program is only delivered in a boat called an Opti. This boat was specifically designed for the program and is an ideal introduction to dinghy sailing. The boats allow two kids to sail together. The boats have built-in buoyancy which means they provide extra stability.

Are the kids out sailing on their own?

When kids start sailing in Tackers 1 they will be sailing in pairs. There are usually 6-10 boats in a group and there will be an Instructor and an Assistant Instructor in a safety boat supervising. The safety boat stays on the water all the time the kids are sailing.

Do the kids need any special clothing to participate in Tackers?

We recommend kids wear clothes and shoes that they don’t mind getting wet – swimmers, boardshorts, rash shirts, maybe a wetsuit if you have one and a pair of old sandshoes or slip on wet-shoes. Always remember to bring a hat for sun protection.

How many levels are there in Tackers?

There are three levels to the Tackers program that kids can progress through. When they finish Tackers Level 3 they can progress through to our junior sailing pathways. These classes introduce kids to racing in a fun environment.