Junior Sailing School
Parents writing about our 2018/2019 courses:
“We loved the relaxed atmosphere at the course and the gentle, polite attitude of your instructors. It made for an amazing, productive experience for the kids”
“I think it’s fantastic to see the teenagers providing the lessons. Great spot and I loved the emails on a daily basis. Good communication.”
“Wonderful, relaxed yet careful atmosphere. Andy, you are great and an excellent ambassador for the club and its values. The trainers were amazing. Thank you”
“Very well run course, especially the young instructors”
“The course was fabulous and my son loved it.”
“Thanks so much for a wonderful introduction and first day on the water…created a very welcome environment today, and it was lovely to see some people that we already knew and meet others that we didn’t – everyone was so friendly”
“She absolutely loved it, when asked what her favourite part of the day was her response was… pretty funny. Her favourite part was capsizing…….She just loves being in the water”
“The kids are absolutely loving it and are very happy with their new boats”
Save on sailing courses!
NSC is now a registered Active Kids provider, and Active Kids vouchers can now be used for NSC courses. This gives you a $100 effective subsidy.
To obtain a voucher, click here! You’ll need a MyService account and your Medicare card. You can then enter the 16-digit code for our courses on checkout.
The 2019/20 NSC Sailing courses
The 2019/20 Learn-to-Sail programme consists of two intakes, sailing in the club Optimist and Pacer dinghies. The Spring intake starts with an intensive all-week course during the October school holidays, with the Level 2 course over three weekends in October.
Update: sold out of the October course – January intake now available…
The Summer intake occurs during our legendary Live-In camp in January (booked separately), with Summer course participants encouraged to participate in the camp – the highlight of our sailing season for many of our young sailors.
All courses are taught by our talented and enthusiastic teenage/young adult instructors.
The Spring “intensive” intake commences their Level 1 course on Monday 30th September through Friday 4th October (8:30am to 5pm) and then progresses to the Level 2 course held over 3 weekends from 12/13th, 19/20th and 27th October, with the Green Fleet course the remaining Sunday mornings of the season (to 19th April 2020) – graduating to sailing independence!
The Summer intake Level 1 course is held during our Live-In camp (8:30am-5:00pm) starting 20th through 24th January; with the Level 2 course held over 5 consecutive Sunday mornings starting 2nd February; with the Green Fleet course the remaining Sunday mornings of the season (to 19th April 2020). Summer Intake sailors are encouraged to also sign up for the residential Live-In camp to experience the unique atmosphere of NSC’s yearly highlight!
All persons undertaking a course must also pay for and hold club membership.
Club membership is currently (including joining fee) $240 for Junior members, $220 for junior siblings, $600 for a family.
Book Spring Intake Courses
Book Summer Intake Courses
New Junior Member Information Pack
| Spring Intake | Start | Finish | Cost | |
| Level 1 | 30th September | 4th October | Daily 8:30am – 5pm | $350 |
| Level 2 | 12th October | 27th October | Saturdays 8:30-3pm, Sunday mornings 8:30-12:30 | $300* |
| Green Fleet | 3rd November | 19th April | Sunday mornings 8:30-12:30 | $330 |
| Live In | 20th January | 24th January | $375~ |
| Summer Intake | Start | Finish | Cost | |
| Level 1 | 20th January | 24th January | Daily 8:30am – 5pm | $260 |
| Level 2 | 2nd February | 1st March | Sunday mornings 8:30-12:30 | $260* |
| Green Fleet | 8th March | 19th April | Sunday mornings 8:30-12:30 | $140* |
| Live In^ | 20th January | 24th January | $375~ | |
~ Second and subsequent siblings $275 each
* $100 discount when Level 1 and Level 2 courses are booked together, $130 discount when Level 1, 2 and Green Fleet courses are booked together.
^ Includes usage of club boats during Live In. See here for more details.
In addition, club membership must be taken up and current for all courses (for liability and insurance coverage):
| 1 junior | 2 juniors | Family | |
| Club membership (incl joining fee) | $240 | $220ea | $600 |
Sail Enrolment
The training scheme at Northbridge Sailing Club Sailing School provides sailing dinghy training from beginner to racing. Students should be able to swim confidently (without panic), and want to learn to sail (being pushed into it by parents is invariably an unhappy experience for all).
As a voluntary organisation we offer a program designed primarily for families interested in sailing as a lifetime sport.
Parents enrolling their children need to be aware a boat will become necessary sooner rather than later (by the start of the Green Fleet course). It doesn’t need to cost a lot and it is a really worthwhile Christmas/birthday present; at worst you’ll likely get almost all your money back when the kid is finished with it – the boats hold their resale value quite well. Have a look at our Classes page for boats sailed at NSC, at the boats for sale page, at the club notice-board, and do some web searches to find suitable boats.
Our program is in 4 stages:
- Level 1 – run using club boats. Kids share a club PE Optimist (or a Pacer for older kids) in pairs and the group undertakes confidence building exercises on the water near the club. Participants need to supply their own sailing gear including lifejacket. More advanced participants will start sailing independently by the second or third session. Teenagers tend to grasp the concepts and practical skills more quickly than 8 year olds. This is followed by:
- Level 2 – run using the club PE Optimist and Pacer boats. Transition to independent sailing. This course uses a combination of club boats and boats purchased for young sailors by parents who are confident their child will be keen to continue. This is followed immediately by:
- Green Fleet – Sunday mornings in their own boat. Transition to independent sailing (typically one-up), understanding the effects of wind and waves, improving techniques all the time. By the end, participants will be able to rig their boats by themselves, sail around a course in an orderly fashion, and cope with all common dinghy situations.
- Our legendary annual Live-In Camp – 5 days in January with a structured program of sailing training for all levels of sailor from novice to racing. The majority of club kid sailors and teenagers attend this NSC institution, most wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Graduates then sail on Sunday mornings, starting in the Green (novice) Fleet and eventually into the Open Fleet, all still under the supervision of professional coaches. The emphasis is on improving sailing technique, tuning the boat performance, going faster, and having fun!
Learn to Sail 
There are two courses this year. Both are likely to be over-subscribed.
If you are particularly keen to ensure your child is able to take part in a course please apply early.
Applications open after the club Open Day which is held in the last weekend in August each year.
Coaching
Fleet coaching is conducted every Sunday morning. The primary objective is to lift the standard of the new sailors at the back end of the fleet by giving them confidence and skills.
Advanced coaching is organised on a class by class basis. It includes bringing in professional coaches to provide additional insight into the various classes being sailed at the club.
Zhik – Official Live-in Sponsor
