KEELBOAT SAILING
BLAIRGOWRIE YACHT SQUADRON
DISCOVER KEELBOAT SAILING
Learn to sail, build confidence and become part of a crew
Whether you’re completely new to sailing or looking to develop your skills, our adult keelboat courses are a practical, social and enjoyable way to get on the water.
BYS is an Accredited Discover Sailing Centre, with experienced Australian Sailing qualified instructors providing a safe and supportive environment to help you build your sailing skills and confidence.
If you would like to chat about any of the courses offered, simply call the Sailing Office on 03 5925 9620.
LEARN TO SAIL KEELBOATS
About our Keelboat Courses
Our keelboat courses use J/70 sportsboats, giving you the opportunity to learn on a stable, responsive and lively boat while working as part of a crew.
You’ll learn different roles on board as you progress, building your sailing knowledge, practical skills and confidence.
- Learn by doing: Courses are practical and hands-on, with plenty of time on the water.
- Learn as a crew: Work together and experience different roles on board.
- J/70 sportsboats: Learn on a modern, responsive sportsboat that is fun to sail.
- Experienced instructors: Learn from qualified instructors in a safe and supportive environment.
- Everything you need is provided: BYS provides the boats and lifejackets.
- No boat required: You don’t need to own a boat to learn to sail or get involved in keelboat sailing.
- Build your skills: Progress from learning the basics through to helming, skippering and racing.
Why learn at BYS?
BYS is a welcoming place to learn to sail, with experienced sailors who enjoy helping new sailors develop their skills.
Our instructors focus on practical learning, building confidence and making sure you enjoy your time on the water. Whether your goal is to sail socially, join a crew, develop your skills or eventually race, we’ll help you take the next step.
Keelboat or Dinghy?
Not sure which type of sailing is right for you? Both are great ways to get on the water, but the experience is quite different.
Keelboat sailing is a team experience. You’ll sail a larger J/70 sportsboat, learning different roles on board and developing your skills as part of a crew.
Dinghy sailing is active and hands-on. You’ll be directly involved in handling a small, responsive boat, developing your sailing and boat-handling skills. Expect to get wet!
Prefer a hands-on, active sailing experience? Check out our Dinghy Sailing courses.
Want to learn as part of a crew on a larger boat? You’re in the right place!
Course Overview
Discover why people from around the world fall in love with sailing during a discover sailing experience on a keelboat. It’s the perfect introduction and can be the ideal way for you to begin your sailing journey.
Course Prerequisites
Over 16 years of age
Course Outcome
Following the course, you will receive a completion certificate.
Course Overview
The start crewing course introduces participants to the basics of sailing on keelboats, including boat handling, safety and sailing theory. Ideal for those who wish to begin sailing in a keelboat, whilst staying relatively dry! All the equipment and gear will be provided and you’ll learn from a qualified Sailing Instructor.
Course Prerequisites
Water confident, over 16 years of age
Course Outcome
You will gain your Start Crewing completion certificate.
Cost
$415, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee
$380, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee – discounted for BYS members
Course Overview
The start helming course develops both your theory and practical skills to take control on the helm. The course is designed for participants who want to learn how to helm (steer) a keelboat, and continue their skill development as crew.
Course Prerequisites
Water confidence and the skills, knowledge and experience you gained from Start Crewing. Over 16 years of age.
Course Outcome
You will gain your Start Helming completion certificate.
Cost
$415, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee
$380, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee – discounted for BYS members
Course Overview
For BYS members, you will now learn the basic racing rules of sailing, skills and tactics and gain an understanding of what is expected of a racing crew on a small boat. This course is designed for participants who wish to begin racing in a keelboat and join in with some twilight racing at the Club.
Course Prerequisites
Water confidence, the skills, knowledge, and experience you gained from Start Helming and Crewing courses, and a BYS membership. Over 16 years of age.
Course Outcome
You will gain your Start Racing completion certificate.
Cost
Pricing varies depending on days included.
Learning to sail is just the beginning.
Start Crewing → Start Helming → Start Racing → Club Racing → and beyond!
Whether you want to join a crew, develop your skills, sail socially or get involved in racing, there are plenty of ways to keep sailing at BYS.
You don’t need to own a boat to keep sailing. BYS can help connect sailors who have completed their training with keelboat skippers looking for new crew, helping you take the next step and get more time on the water.
From joining a crew to becoming a skipper, there’s plenty of opportunity to keep developing your skills and enjoying keelboat sailing at BYS.
UPCOMING COURSES
Ready to get on the water?
Course bookings are open throughout the year. Check out our upcoming courses and find a date that works for you.
Start Crewing 1
Dates coming shortly
Dates coming shortly
Start Crewing 2
Dates coming shortly
Registering for a course
Please register using your own details.
If you already have an Australian Sailing number, you’ll need this during registration. If you don’t have one, select Sign Up → New Member and enter your details. You’ll receive your Australian Sailing number by email.
Please check the individual course listing for any prerequisites before registering.
You can search for existing Australian Sailing numbers online.
Child Safeguarding
We are committed to sport environments that are safe, supportive and friendly for children and young people. We have zero tolerance for any behaviours that put the well-being of children and young people at risk. All employees that will work with Children undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.
Keelboat courses are full?
If the course you’d like to attend is fully booked, you can join our Keelboat Sailing Waiting List.
We’ll contact people on the waiting list if a suitable place becomes available. Joining the waiting list does not guarantee a place.