QUEEN CHARLOTTE ​​​​​​​YACHT CLUB​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

LEARN TO SAIL IN THE BEAUTIFUL MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS​​​​​​​

Learn to Sail courses for 8-15 year olds are run each season in the September/October and Summer School Holidays (Dec/Jan).

We run 3 day block learn to sail courses for children aged 8-15years old. Over the 3 days of the course sailors receive:

  • 12 hours of sailing tuition by our YNZ Qualified Yachting Instructor (mostly on the water.) 
  • Use of the club plastic Optimist dinghies. 
  • Use of the club facilities.

Courses start at 10:00 am each day and finish at approximately 3:00 pm (weather dependent). 

QCYC is a volunteer run club. Our Learn to Sail course is not a drop and leave course. A family member is expected to be present throughout the day to help with launching, retrieving, and supporting the children. Be prepared to wade into the water's edge!

There is plenty of time to relax with other families and grab a coffee from the galley, sit on the deck and enjoy watching your child start sailing.


QCYC's Learn To Sail course is water-based with some classroom and onshore activities. The course covers:

  • Water safety
  • Sailing
  • Boat handling
  • Capsizing
  • Rigging
  • Basic knots used in sailing
  • Sailing rules
  • Hiking
  • Upwind, Downwind and Reaching sailing
  • Launching and retrieving

Upon completion your sailor will receive Yachting New Zealand Learn to Sail: Level 1 Start...Sailing!