Volunteer Training
BLAIRGOWRIE YACHT SQUADRON
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At Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, we’re committed to supporting our volunteers with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to get the most out of their time on and off the water. A wide range of training opportunities is available, from flexible e-learning courses, to hands-on race management workshops, and practical training courses designed to build capability and confidence in key roles. Whether you’re new to volunteering or looking to build on your experience, there’s something for everyone.
We’re always looking to welcome new volunteers so we’d love to hear from you. To become part of our team, just email us here or call 03 5925 9620.
E-LEARNING
E-Learning and the Australian Sailing Learning Centre
The Australian Sailing Learning Centre is your go-to hub for education and training. BYS members have access to a comprehensive range of FREE online courses, developed by Australian Sailing, the Australian Sports Commission and Sport Integrity Australia. These courses support learning and development across all sections of the sailing community.
Accessing the Learning Centre
All current Australian Sailing members and participants can access the Australian Sailing Learning Centre directly through your Australian Sailing online profile. Log in to your account – www.sailing.org.au
E-learning is completely free and available at any time, so you can work through and re-visit courses at your own pace whenever it suits you.
Powerboat Program Essential Skills
Recommended for: all on-water volunteers, including boat skippers and crews.
This course will teach you the safety equipment and procedures, maritime regulation and navigation and boat handing techniques, as well as more advanced manoeuvres such as the rescue and righting of crafts, towing and the laying and recovering of racing marks.
The Powerboat Program Essential Skills online course is a prerequisite to the courses Powerboat Handling, and Safety Boat Operator.
Race Officer – Mark Layer
Recommended for: all course boat skippers and crews.
The Mark Layer course is part of the Race Official discipline. The course will provide you with the knowledge required to become a valued member of the race management team as a mark layer and the responsibilities associated with the role. It covers best practice for equipment selection and course setting techniques.
Race Officer – Committee & Finish Boat
Recommended for: all start boat team members, and helpful for start box (tower) team members.
The course will teach you the processes and responsibilities associated with each role onboard the committee/start vessel. You will learn about race documents, personal equipment selection, start and finish procedures, including timekeeping and scribing. Many of the tasks performed by a committee/start boat team are also conducted by tower teams when races are started and finished from the tower.
coming soon
Race Officer – Introduction
Recommended for: all start boat team members, interested in becoming Club Race Officers, for Club Race Officers wanting a re-fresher, or for any sailors wanting to better understand how racing is conducted.
The course will teach you the processes and responsibilities associated with each role on board the committee/start vessel. You will learn about race documents, personal equipment selection, start and finish procedures including timekeeping and scribing. Many of the tasks performed by a committee/start boat team are also conducted by tower teams when races are started and finished from the tower.
This course assumes the learner has completed the courses Committee & Finish Boat, Mark Layer, and Scorer.
Introduction to Safety & Risk Management
Recommend for: all Race Officers and Pricipal Race Officers, all Sailing Committee members, Regatta Managers, and anyone interested in learning more about safety and risk management.
This course is designed to equip individuals across all roles within the sport of sailing with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage safety and minimise risks. It will assist you in gaining a better understanding of the safety framework, risk management principles, and the implementation of safety measures, assisting you to fulfil your legal and ethical duty of care.
Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport Induction
Recommended for: all volunteers and members
This course is designed to help you understand Safeguarding Children and Young People in your sport, including the Children and Young People Safe Practices, and how to recognise and respond to possible breaches.
Keeping children and young people safe is a shared responsibility of all club members.
Judge – Protest Committee Member
Recommended for: sailors wanting to be part of a Protest Committee team, and sailors wanting to better understand the hearings process.
This course will provide you with the knowledge required to become accredited as a Protest Committee Member. The course includes education and best practice for being a Protest Committee Member and Club-level Arbitrator.
Equipment Auditor – Club
Recommended for: sailors with an interest in safety
This course is for anyone interested in volunteering with clubs to provide a safety service for sailing racing. The course will educate learners to assess category 3-7 racing vessels and their compliance to the Special Regulations, helping to ensure that safety standards are consistently met through equipment compliance.
RACE MANAGEMENT WORKSHOPS
Race Management Workshops 2025-26
We have a busy and exciting program of race management workshops planned for the 2025-26 season. These sessions are open to all BYS volunteers – no prior experience or specialist knowledge is required, just enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. It’s also a great way to meet others and build confidence in supporting our racing program. Why not bring a friend or encourage a fellow volunteer to come along?
Registering for Workshops
All workshops are free for BYS members, but registration is required to help us plan and deliver the best experience for everyone. You can view the full list of workshops on offer below and click the links to register for the sessions that suit you.
The Mark Laying & Buoy Zone workshop is designed for all on-water volunteers – from boat skippers and crews to sailors, or anyone keen to gain a better understanding of how race courses are set.
The session combines land-based theory with hands-on practice. You’ll learn about the different course types and marks used at BYS, and get introduced to Buoy Zone – a free mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play) that provides GPS guidance for accurate mark placement.
The practical component takes place outdoors, where you’ll inflate and handle marks and anchors, and even lay out a mock course on the lawn. Don’t forget to bring a jacket if the weather is cool!
This workshop runs on the same mornings as the Race Officer Essentials Workshop, and we encourage participants to stay on for both – even if you’re not quite ready to take on a Race Officer role just yet.
Before attending
Completing the Mark Layer e-learning course beforehand is a great way to build your foundation knowledge and get the most out of the workshop.
Register here 〉 10-11.30 Saturday 20 September 2025
Register here 〉 10-11.30 Sunday 14 December 2025
The Race Officer Essentials Workshop is recommended for all start boat and course boat volunteers, Race Officers and OODs looking to refresh or refine their knowledge, and sailors wanting to gain a racing advantage by understanding how a Race Officer operates.
This classroom-based session is designed to provide you with the skills and confidence to be proficient at the Club Race Officer level. Topics include:
Roles on the committee boat
Starting and finishing procedures
Key racing rules and their application
Race Officer tasks before, during, and after racing
Course options at Blairgowrie and how to select locations
Monitoring conditions throughout racing
The On-Water Emergency Response Guidelines
It’s the essential introduction (or refresher) for anyone involved in race management. The workshop is held on the same day as the Mark Laying & Buoy Zone Workshop, and we encourage you to take part in both.
Before attending
Completing the e-learning courses Committee & Finish Boat and Race Officer is highly recommended, to strengthen your knowledge and help you get the most out of the session.
Register here 〉 11.30-1 Saturday 20 September 2025
Register here 〉 11.30-1 Sunday 14 December 2025
The Race Officer Elevated Workshop is designed for current Race Officers, OODs, and anyone aspiring to take the next step in their officiating journey. Building on the Essentials Workshop, this longer session dives deeper into the skills needed to deliver race management at a State or National Championship level.
The workshop covers:
Detailed race management rules and their application
Starting penalties and managing rule infringements
The full conduct of a race, from planning to execution
Event organisation and coordination
Blairgowrie-specific conditions, including managing tide and local challenges
Whether you’re looking to refine your skills at Club level or begin the pathway towards becoming a Regional or National Race Officer, this workshop is a valuable stepping stone.
Register here 〉 10-1 Sunday 9 November 2025
Register here 〉 10-1 TBA March 2026
The Start Boat Procedures Workshop is perfect for anyone interested in joining the start boat team or learning more about how races are started and finished at BYS. No prior experience is necessary – just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. It’s also a great option for anyone keen to volunteer in sailing without taking on a physically demanding role.
This practical workshop will cover:
Flags, timekeeping, scribing, and the step-by-step procedures used for starting and finishing races
What to expect during a day volunteering on the start boat team, including what to wear
A walk-through of our start boats and equipment
How the role relates to start box team members, who carry out similar tasks from shore
We also encourage existing start boat and start box volunteers to attend as a refresher and to get up to speed with new updates and changes. It’s an excellent way to stay confident in your role and continue supporting our racing program.
Before attending
Completing the e-learning course Committee & Finish Boat is recommended to complement the workshop and build your foundation knowledge.
Register here 〉 10-11.30 Saturday 25 October 2025
Register here 〉 10-11.30 Saturday 10 January 2026
The VHF Radio Refresher Workshop is open to all volunteers and sailors keen to sharpen their knowledge and build confidence in using marine radios. It is especially valuable for those who already hold a Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate of Proficiency (VHF licence) but have limited hands-on experience, as well as those interested in learning more before pursuing their certificate in the future. Please note this workshop does not replace the Certificate of Proficiency exam.
Confident radio skills are essential for every sailor, skipper, and crew member. You never know when you may need to relay an urgent message, respond in an emergency, or assist with on-water coordination.
This workshop will cover:
Basic operation and functions: channel selection, squelch, volume, and lock
Performing a radio check and understanding radio protocol and language
Routine calling procedures and distress calling procedures
BYS race day procedures: channels in use, race management radio calls for volunteers, the role of the tower radio operator, logkeeping, and emergency response
Familiarisation with BYS radio equipment
We also encourage existing volunteers who regularly use radios on race day to attend as a refresher. It’s a great way to stay current with BYS procedures and practise your skills in a supportive environment.
Before attending
We recommend participants familiarise themselves with the Marine VHF Radio Operators Handbook, produced by the Office of Maritime Communications, Australian Maritime College on behalf of the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The handbook is available here: Marine VHF Radio Operators Handbook.
Register here 〉 10-11.30 Saturday 15 November 2025
Register here 〉 10-11.30 Saturday 28 February 2026
PRACTICAL TRAINING COURSES
For those looking to develop practical skills on the water, BYS also provides access to accredited training courses. These include Powerboat Handling, Safety Boat Operator, and the VHF Marine Radio – Australian Waters Qualification. Each course is designed to give you the confidence and capability to support our sailing and racing programs safely and effectively.
Plan Ahead
Places in these courses are capped to ensure quality instruction, so we encourage you to plan ahead and register early. Regular BYS volunteers are invited to contact the Sailing Office before registering – we’ll be happy to provide a discount code to remove the course fee as a thank you for your ongoing contribution.
Course Overview
The Powerboat Handling course designed to introduce you to practical driving skills, trip planning, boat maintenance and safety equipment knowledge. It will help improve your boat handling abilities, especially in confined areas such as marinas, and in challenging conditions like swell and waves.
This course is ideal for individuals looking to develop their powerboat driving skills, such as recreational boaters or race day volunteers. It is also a prerequisite for those aiming to become a Dinghy and/or Windsurfing Instructor.
Course Prerequisites
Water confident. The skills and knowledge gained in Start Powerboating or equivalent powerboating experience. The minimum age is 12 years. Must have a marine licence.
Before attending the face-to-face course, you must have completed the Powerboat Program Essential Skills eLearning Course. You can access the course via the Australian Sailing Learning Centre in your Australian Sailing profile. Log in here
Course Outcome
This is a one-day intensive course, with participants receiving their Powerboat Handling certificate on completion.
Cost
$280, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee
$210, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee – discounted for BYS members.
For course dates and registration, visit our powerboating page.
Course Overview
The Safety Boat Operator course is designed for individuals with a desire to be in charge of a safety boat, particularly those who wish to assist their clubs or associations with the control and support of racing programs and other training courses. During this Course you will acquire the skills necessary to operate a safety boat and assist with various water-based activities. You’ll also learn about racecourse design, practice on-water rescues of dinghies, and develop techniques to support kite surfers and kayaks.
This course is intended for individuals who wish to assist their club as a safety boat operator. It is also a prerequisite for obtaining the Club Coach qualification.
Course Prerequisites
Participants should be confident in the water and have the skills and knowledge gained from the Powerboat Handling course or equivalent powerboating experience. The minimum age requirement is 16 years; you must possess a marine licence.
Before attending the face-to-face course, you must have completed the Powerboat Program Essential Skills eLearning Course. You can access the course via the Australian Sailing Learning Centre in your Australian Sailing profile. Log in here
Course Outcome
This is a one-day intensive course, with participants gaining their Safety Boat Operator certificate upon completion.
Cost
$280, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee.
$210, inclusive of $20 Australian Sailing fee – discounted for BYS members.
For course dates and registration, visit our powerboating page.
Course Overview
A VHF Marine Radio Licence (Certificate of Proficiency) is a legal requirement for everyone who uses a marine VHF radio. Be confident, competent and legal in marine radio usage.
The course covers theory and practical hands-on instruction, followed by a theory and practical test. The 4-hour session is held at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron.
Who should do this course?
Ideal for casual boaters who only need to operate a marine radio in Australian waters (within 12 nautical miles of the coast).
Sailors participating in club racing tasked with using their boat’s marine radio.
Volunteers helping to deliver club racing, on radio duty in the tower or on start and patrol boats.
Course Prerequisites
It is recommended that participants review the Marine VHF Radio Operators Handbook prior to beginning the course.
Course Outcome
You will gain your VHF Marine Radio Licence, Australian Waters Qualification (AWQ)
We also offer the International Radio Licence (SROCP) licence for $275.
Peninsula Boat Training delivers all radio licence training.
Cost
$210, inc GST
For course dates and registration, visit our theory training courses page.