Tackers 7-12
BLAIRGOWRIE YACHT SQUADRON
Tackers 7 - 12 years
Start out on the right course. Registrations now open.
When thinking about getting their kids into sailing many parents ask, what’s the best age to start? At BYS, where we’ve had generations of kids learn the skills they need to feel confident and in control on-the-water, we believe that’s an individual decision. But in our experience, new sailors from age 7 -12 have what it takes to start their sailing life, and that’s what Tackers is all about.
If your kids are keen to sail but don’t know how or they just want to get into a boat this pathway program helps lay down the skills they need that will be with them for life.
It’s a fun, games-based sailing program designed for kids with no sailing experience. And no club membership is needed to get started. All they need is to get ready to have fun!

FIND THE RIGHT COURSE FOR YOU
How does Tackers work?
- The program is a 4 or 5-day holiday program run in the January school holidays.
- The program is delivered in small groups by an Australian Sailing qualified Instructor and Assistant Instructors.
- All equipment is provided.
- Children receive a Tackers kit and a certificate of achievement at the completion of each program.
And best of all, parents get to join in the fun with a ‘parents Coffee & Club Tour’ on Mondays and a Free Sailing Experience on Thursdays of the Tackers Course. Sounds like Fun?
What’s covered in each course?
Tackers 1 – is all about having fun! Kids sail in pairs in small boats, this is a great way to introduce kids to the water and the feeling of being on the water in a boat. Sailing with others in their group is a great way to meet friends.
Tackers 2 – is about learning tricks and techniques to help the kids sail the boat, and if they are feeling confident, they can sail the boats on their own with lots of support, supervision and encouragement from our Australian Sailing qualified Instructors and Assistant Instructors.
Tackers 3 – is all about sailing fast! This is a chance for the kids to sail a boat on their own, learning how to make the boat go faster and playing more games, all whilst under the guidance and supervision of our Australian Sailing qualified Instructors and Assistant Instructors.
UPCOMING COURSES
Learn to Sail & Training
Tackers 7 - 12
september 2022
Event Details
Dates & Times Monday 26 September, 9 am – 12.30 pm Tuesday 27 September, 9 am – 12.30 pm Wednesday 28 September, 9 am – 12.30 pm Thursday 29 September, 9 am – 12.30
Event Details
Dates & Times
Monday 26 September, 9 am – 12.30 pm
Tuesday 27 September, 9 am – 12.30 pm
Wednesday 28 September, 9 am – 12.30 pm
Thursday 29 September, 9 am – 12.30 pm
Tackers Sailing Pathway
The Tackers Sailing Pathway is a fun introductory, games-based sailing program designed for kids aged 7-12 years. Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience or club membership to participate.
All equipment, including the boats and lifejackets, are provided. The Tackers Sailing Pathway program has 3 levels, each level involves 15-20 hours of participation over 3 to 5 days.
Tackers 1 is all about having fun! It’s a great way to introduce kids to sailing and the feeling of being on the water in a boat. Tackers is the perfect opportunity to meet new friends as kids sail in pairs in the boats, and also have the chance to sail with others in their group.
Every Tackers registration receives a ‘Tackers Showbag’ full of goodies!
Parents also get to join in the fun with a ‘Parents Coffee & Club Tour’ on every Monday of the Tackers Course, and a free sailing experience on every Thursday of the Tackers Course.
Parents can register for the Free Sailing Experience below!
Tackers 2 and 3 are next in the Tackers Sailing Pathway.
Cost $350 inc GST + $17.50 Australian Sailing registration fee.
COVID Safe Plans
https://www.bys.asn.au/covid-19/
Head to our website for the most up to date information on how we are operating, and what we need from you to help us operate safely. Our COVID Safe plans will be updated in line with any changes to government restrictions so check back regularly.
Course Overview
This course aims to provide children aged 7-12 with a fun, safe and affordable way to get into sailing.
Course Prerequisites
- Water confident
- 7-12 years-old
Who should do this course?
This course is designed for participants who wish to have fun and learn the basics of sailing through games on and off the water.
Course Outcome
By the end of the Tackers 1 course, the participants will be able to:
- Steer with tiller extension under towing paddling power
- Tie a figure 8 knot, round twice and two half hitches
- Tack (push turn)
- Gybe (pull turn)
- Reach around a figure of 8 course using both tacking and gybing
- Sail with a tiller extension
- Sail upwind and downwind by following the safety boat
You will gain your Tackers 1 completion certificate.
Time
26 (Monday) 9:00 am - 29 (Thursday) 12:30 pm
Location
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
2900 Point Nepean Rd
Organizer
Sailing Office
Book Now
Book NowEvent Details
Dates & Times Monday 26 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm Tuesday 27 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm Wednesday 28 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm Thursday 29 September, 1 pm – 4.30
Event Details
Dates & Times
Monday 26 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Tuesday 27 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Wednesday 28 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Thursday 29 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Tackers Sailing Pathway
The Tackers Sailing Pathway is a fun introductory, games-based sailing program designed for kids aged 7-12 years. Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience or club membership to participate.
All equipment, including the boats and lifejackets, are provided. The Tackers Sailing Pathway program has 3 levels, each level involves 15-20 hours of participation over 3 to 5 days.
Tackers 2 is about learning tricks and techniques to help them to sail the boat, and if kids are feeling confident, they can sail a boat on their own, with lots of support, supervision and encouragement from our Australian Sailing qualified Instructors and Assistant Instructors.
Every Tackers participant receives a ‘Tackers Showbag’ full of goodies!
Once Tackers 2 has been completed, Tackers 3 is next up!
Cost $350 inc GST + $17.50 Australian Sailing registration fee
COVID Safe Plans
https://www.bys.asn.au/covid-19/
Head to our website for the most up to date information on how we are operating, and what we need from you to help us operate safely. Our COVID Safe plans will be updated in line with any changes to government restrictions so check back regularly.
Course Overview
This course aims to build on the fun participants had in Tackers 1, to progress their sailing skills.
Course Prerequisites
- Water confident
- 7-12 years-old
- Skills, knowledge and experience gained in Tackers 1.
Who should do this course?
This course is designed for participants who have completed Tackers 1.
Course Outcome
By the end of the Tackers 2 course, the participants will be able to:
- Get out of irons on their own
- Safely gybe the boat
- Correctly use the tiller extension
- Sailing around a triangle course, including:
- Upwind – on a close-hauled course tacking through the ‘no go zone’
- Downwind – with centreboard up
- Reaching – correct sail position
- Demonstrate a 360 and 720-degree turn
You will gain your Tackers 2 completion certificate.
Time
26 (Monday) 1:00 pm - 29 (Thursday) 4:30 pm
Location
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
2900 Point Nepean Rd
Organizer
Sailing Office
Book Now
Book NowEvent Details
Dates & Times Monday 26 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm Tuesday 27 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm Wednesday 28 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm Thursday 29 September, 1 pm – 4.30
Event Details
Dates & Times
Monday 26 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Tuesday 27 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Wednesday 28 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Thursday 29 September, 1 pm – 4.30 pm
Tackers Sailing Pathway
The Tackers Sailing Pathway is a fun introductory, games-based sailing program designed for kids aged 7-12 years. Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience or club membership to participate.
All equipment, including the boats and lifejackets, are provided. The Tackers Sailing Pathway program has 3 levels, each level involves 15-20 hours of participation over 3 to 5 days.
Tackers 3 is about sailing fast! This is a chance for the kids to sail a boat on their own, learning how to make the boat go faster and playing more games, all whilst under the guidance and supervision of our Australian Sailing qualified Instructor and Assistant Instructor.
After completion of the Tackers Sailing Program is the Junior Sail Training Program, check out the link for the next Junior Sail Training Program!
Cost $350 inc GST + $17.50 Australian Sailing registration fee.
COVID Safe Plans
https://www.bys.asn.au/covid-19/
Head to our website for the most up to date information on how we are operating, and what we need from you to help us operate safely. Our COVID Safe plans will be updated in line with any changes to government restrictions so check back regularly.
Course Overview
This course aims to build on skills learned in Tackers 2 and focuses on advanced sailing skills through games and adventures on the water.
Course Prerequisites
- Water confident
- 7-12 years-old
- Skills, knowledge and experience gained in Tackers 2
Who should do this course?
This course is designed for participants who have completed Tackers 2.
Course Outcome
By the end of the Tackers 3 course, the participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate the correct method and understand the theory of roll tacking and gybing
- Stopping the boat in a confined area for a period of time
- Sail backwards
- Understand the theory behind gybing and can demonstrate the action downwind
- Show a sound knowledge of the five essentials:
- Centreboard position
- Boat trim
- Boat balance
- Course made good
- Sail trim
- Start and finish races on a triangle and trapezoid course
- Always use tactical mark roundings in races
You will gain your Tackers 3 completion certificate.
Time
26 (Monday) 1:00 pm - 29 (Thursday) 4:30 pm
Location
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
2900 Point Nepean Rd
Organizer
Sailing Office