Adult classes

Start Sailing 1

• Have fun and make new friends by enrolling in our Beginner-level sailing course at SBSC.
• You will learn and practice the fundamentals of sailing that will allow you to grow into a competent and confident sailor. 
• Our Adult Sailing Instructors have many years of experience in teaching to sail on the Brisbane River, and have competed in State and National Championships.
• The club’s beginner level program is an official Australian Sailing Start Sailing course (Start Sailing 1).
• Participants who successfully complete the course will receive an Australian Sailing accredited certificate.

Our beginner level classes covering the Australian Sailing (Start Sailing 1) are offered over a weekend (both Sat and Sun).

You will learn the basics of sailing including: how to rig your boat, safe sailing practice, how to use sails and steer a sailing dinghy at different points of sailing, and fundamental seamanship skills about the weather and knots, and  able to safely right a boat after a capsize.  

By the completion of the course, you will be proficient in boat terminology, able to rig independently, and able to safely sail at all points of sailing in light conditions.  

Start Sailing 2

After completing Start Sailing 1 you can progress to the next level in your sailing journey by participating in Start Sailing 2 course over 10 weeks on Saturdays at SBSC (7 Saturdays) and Lake Samsonvale Sailing Club (3 Saturdays).  

Better Sailing

A course for students who have mastered all the skills learned in Start Sailing 2. Sailors in Better Sailing will continue to improve their boat handling skills, learn and practice boat handling and skills necessary to participate on a race course. 

Class Times

Adult Learn to Sail classes are held on Saturdays and Sundays at following times:

• Start Sailing 1 
  • 9:00am - 4:00pm Sat and Sun at South Brisbane Sailing Club (1 weekend)
• Start Sailing 2
  • 9:30am - 12:30pm Saturdays at South Brisbane Sailing Club (7 Saturdays)
  • 9:00am - 12:00am Saturdays at Lake Samsonvale Sailing Club (3 Sundays)
• Better Sailing: 
  • 1:30pm - 4:30pm at South Brisbane Sailing Club (7 weeks on Sunday afternoons)
  • 1:30am - 4:30pm at Lake Samsonvale Sailing Club (3 weeks on Sunday afternoons)
• Start Racing: 
  • 1:30pm - 4:30pm at South Brisbane Sailing Club (7 weeks on Sunday afternoons)
  • 1:30am - 4:30pm at Lake Samsonvale Sailing Club (3 weeks on Sunday afternoons)

Dates

• Please refer to our Whats On page for full details on upcoming classes.

Costs

• Start Sailing 1
  • $350.00 minus any applicable discounts.
• Start Sailing 2
  • $620.00 minus any applicable discounts.
• Better Sailing
  • $620.00 minus any applicable discounts.
• Start Racing
  • $620.00 for 10 weeks, minus any applicable discounts.

* This course fee also covers the cost of your SBSC annual membership. 

Discounts

• 20% discount for second and successive family members OR
• 20% discount for concessional members
• For more information see our Learn to Sail Discounts

Fitness

Because dinghy sailing can be physically demanding, you do need to be fit and agile. This includes:

• ability to swim 50m
• sufficient upper body strength to pull yourself out of a swimming pool without assistance
• good balance and agility.

Refund Policy

• Full refund for any full course if seven (7) days notice is provided.
• Full refund or make-up classes provided if a block of classes or any individual class is cancelled by SBSC due to weather etc.
• Full refund after you complete your Discover Sailing Experience if you decide that river sailing is not for you!

Type of boat

• You will learn to sail in a Heron. The Heron is a two person dinghy sailed in all states of Australia.  
• The Heron offers a safe entry-level sailing experience and provides an ongoing challenge for experienced sailors who are seeking to optimise performance.
• We also offer training in Lasers as part of the Better Sailing program

How to enrol

• Go to our How to Enrol page or

Enquiries

• Contact our Learn to Sail Coordinator