Junior & Youth Sail Training
BLAIRGOWRIE YACHT SQUADRON
JUNIOR & YOUTH SAIL TRAINING
Make sailing your sport
Our Junior & Youth Sail Training program is for young sailors who want to make sailing their regular sport, develop their skills and have fun with friends.
It is a season-long program, with most groups training weekly on Sundays from November through to mid-February, plus additional sailing days during January.
Whether your sailor is new to regular sailing or already racing, we’ll help them develop their skills, confidence and experience as they progress through the program.
Learn → Develop → Race → Regattas & beyond
If you would like to chat about getting your child into sailing, simply call the Sailing Office on 03 5925 9620. Registrations are now open.
JUNIOR & YOUTH SAIL TRAINING
A season of sailing, learning and fun
Junior & Youth Sail Training gives sailors the opportunity to develop their skills through regular practice and time on the water.
Sailors are grouped according to their age, experience, current skills and boat. Our instructors work with each sailor to develop the skills and competencies for their group, with sailors progressing when they’re ready.
Most sailors sail their own boat. The exception is first-year junior sailors in Tackers Season, who can use a BYS OziOpti while they develop their skills and become ready to take the next step.
Regular sailing helps sailors progress
Sailing skills develop through practice and time on the water. The more regularly sailors participate, the more opportunity they have to build on their skills, develop confidence and progress with their group. We understand that sometimes sailors can’t attend every session. If they miss sessions, their progress may simply take a little longer.
Why sailing?
For kids, sailing is a fabulous character builder. It teaches independence, quick thinking and decision-making, while getting them outdoors and on the water.
It’s also a supervised environment where young sailors can develop skills they’ll use for a lifetime of sailing, supported by our experienced instructors, patrol boats and the Club’s control tower.
And it’s not just about what happens on the water. Sailing is a social sport where kids make friends, develop friendships and become part of a team. At BYS, there’s plenty of opportunity to enjoy sailing together, from regular training sessions to class events and special activities that build fun and team spirit.
Why BYS?
BYS is a welcoming place for young sailors to develop their skills and become part of a sailing community.
Our experienced instructors create a supportive environment where sailors can learn, challenge themselves and have fun with friends. Regular training provides continuity and the opportunity to build skills over time, while the Club’s racing and regatta programs give sailors opportunities to put those skills into practice as they become ready.
With sailing programs, Club racing, class events and a strong volunteer community, BYS provides opportunities for young sailors to keep developing and stay involved as their skills and interests grow.
THE JUNIOR & YOUTH SAILING PATHWAY
Sailors don’t all follow exactly the same journey. Our program provides different pathways for junior and youth sailors, with groups based on their age, experience, current skills and boat.
Junior Sail Training
Approximately 7–12+ | Junior dinghies
Junior Sail Training is for younger sailors developing their skills in junior dinghies. The majority of our sailors sail in the Minnow class, and we also support the Optimist and O’pen Skiff classes.
New to regular sailing? Tackers Season is the starting point for new junior sailors. First-year juniors can use a BYS OziOpti, so they don’t need to own a boat straight away.
As sailors develop, they can progress through Developing Sailors, Novice Fleet and Club Racing & Development, building their skills and working towards regular racing and regatta participation.
Boat requirement: Most junior sailors need their own boat. The exception is first-year sailors in Tackers Season, who can use a BYS OziOpti.
Program fees: $710 for non-members | $480 for BYS Junior Members or $340 for subsequent Junior Members
Includes an Australian Sailing registration fee
Tackers Season
Start sailing regularly
Tackers Season is the entry point to our Junior & Youth Sail Training program for young sailors who are ready to make sailing a regular part of their summer.
It is different from our short school-holiday Tackers courses. Tackers Season is a longer-term program, with regular Sunday sessions from November to February, plus additional sailing days during January.
New sailors learn the fundamentals of sailing, build confidence and develop towards the competencies of the Tackers syllabus. First-year juniors can use a BYS OziOpti, so there’s no need to own a boat to get started.
Participants will progress from sailing in pairs to sailing on their own. They will also experience sailing in Pacers with instructors, broadening their sailing experience. By the end of the season, sailors will be ready to move into their own Minnow, Opti or O’pen Skiff.
We will be learning from the Tackers and Start Sailing syllabus.
Developing Sailors
Build your skills
For sailors who have developed the fundamentals and are ready to take their sailing further.
Participants will learn to rig and derig their boats. Training focuses on developing boat handling, sailing skills and confidence, with sailors working towards the competencies needed to begin racing.
As the season progresses, sailors will be introduced to the skills and knowledge needed for Novice Fleet racing.
We will be learning from the Better Sailing and Start Racing syllabus. This group is suitable for “2025-26 Green Group sailors” and 2025-26 White Group sailors still building their confidence. Sailors move into Novice Fleet when they are ready. The timing will vary between sailors.
Novice Fleet
Train and race
Novice Fleet combines training and racing in the same session.
Sailors spend part of the session developing their skills with their coach, then put those skills into practice through Novice Fleet racing.
This provides a supportive introduction to racing while allowing sailors to learn from the experience.
Novice Fleet racing will begin in week 4. Short, supported racing will be held between 10.30 – 11.30 when the wind strength is suitable. Parent volunteers are needed on the start boat. The Novice Fleet will have a supported excursion to the “big course” and join club racing on Wednesday 6 & 13 January if the weather is appropriate.
This group is suitable for 2025-26 Orange Group sailors or any sailors who aren’t yet competing in club racing. Sailors will be guided by instructors on when they are ready to try club racing on a regular basis. It is strongly recommended that sailors enter the Victorian Minnow Championships in February at McCrae Yacht Club, and Youth Sail Green Fleet in April.
Club Racing & Development
Race, improve and grow
For sailors who are ready to regularly participate in Saturday Club racing and want to continue developing their boat handling and racing skills.
Training supports sailors to become more confident and capable racers, with opportunities to work towards participating in regattas.
Sailors in this group race regularly on Saturday afternoons, and use the Sunday training sessions to extend their boat handling, racing skills and rules knowledge. Many sailors will be working towards specific regatta goals at state and national level.
Youth Sail Training
Approximately 12–17 | Youth dinghies
Youth Sail Training is for older sailors developing their skills in larger dinghies, primarily ILCAs and Sabres.
Sailors may progress from the junior program or join BYS with experience from Tackers, OutThere or another sailing program. Where they start will depend on their current skills, experience and confidence.
Youth sailors will need to have their own boat. Transition groups support sailors learning to sail a new or larger boat, while more experienced sailors can progress into advanced training and regatta development.
Program fees: $710 for non-members | $480 for BYS Junior Members or $340 for subsequent Junior Members
ILCA Transition
Learn your new boat
For sailors moving into an ILCA and developing the skills and confidence needed to sail their new, larger boat.
Sailors may spend more than one season in the transition group while they develop their boat handling and racing skills.
Regular Club racing is encouraged.
Sabre Transition
Learn your new boat
For sailors moving into an Sabre and developing the skills and confidence needed to sail their new, larger boat.
Sailors may spend more than one season in the transition group while they develop their boat handling and racing skills.
Regular Club racing is encouraged.
ILCA Advanced Squad
Develop your racing
For experienced ILCA sailors who are competent Club racers and ready to develop their racing skills further.
The ILCA Advanced Squad follows a different training schedule, with sessions designed to complement Saturday Club racing.
Sailors are encouraged to attend relevant State and National events, with BYS working towards providing regatta support at selected events.
Progress at your own pace
Our training groups are designed around developing specific sailing skills and competencies, but sailors don’t all progress at the same rate. Some will develop quickly, while others benefit from more time and practice.
Instructors will work with each sailor throughout the season and recommend when they’re ready to progress to the next group. Progression is based on their skills, confidence and readiness, rather than simply their age or how long they’ve been in a group.
Completing a previous Tackers or OutThere course doesn’t automatically determine a sailor’s current skill level. We’ll look at where they are now and help them find the right starting point.
Ready for more?
Junior & Youth Sail Training is part of a much bigger sailing journey.
Learn → Learn more → Novice Fleet → Club Racing → Development → State & National Regattas → and beyond!
There are many ways for sailors to continue developing their skills, whether their goal is to race at Club level, compete at regattas, move into a new boat or simply keep enjoying sailing with friends.
Parents are part of the program
Junior sailing relies on a team effort. Parents are asked to be involved in helping our sessions run, with opportunities including assisting with launching and recovery, tower duty, race management and supporting individual groups.
No sailing expertise is required for many of these roles, and we’ll help you learn what you need to know.
PROGRAM DATES & TIMES
Regular Sunday sailing throughout summer
Most Junior & Youth Sail Training groups train weekly on Sundays from November through to mid-February, with additional sailing days during January.
The ILCA Advanced Squad follows a different training schedule, designed around Saturday Club racing.
VIEW ALL JUNIOR & YOUTH SAIL TRAINING DATES & TIMES →
Registering for a program
Please register using your child’s details. If you’re unsure which group is right for your child, please contact the Sailing Office before registering.
Individual program listings include information about the group, boat requirements and any prerequisites.
Register for Junior Sail Training – $710 for non-members | $480 for BYS Junior Members or $340 for subsequent Junior Members
Register for Youth Sail Training – $710 for non-members | $480 for BYS Junior Members or $340 for subsequent Junior Members
Register for Youth Sail Training – ILCA Advanced Squad – BYS members only