Getting started in sailing at Otago Yacht Club

We offer a variety of ways to get started.

For the younger aspiring sailor we offer sailing school classes in the Spring and Summer

In conjunction with these we can offer a few sailors dinghy sailing classes for young adults who are prepared to get wet.

For others, or the more mature aspirants, we offer classes in trailer yachts, both in our club trailer yachts and in some of our members’ personal trailer yachts.

These classes are usually held on Sunday mornings. We employ a professional, qualified instructor to run the dinghy sailing. Our trailer yacht coaches are very experienced sailors who are keen to share their knowledge. After a few sessions learners are encouraged to sail club boats on their own as soon as they consider they are ready.

We have social sailing on Tuesday evenings during the sailing season during daylight saving. These are impromptu sessions using a mix of club and member’s boats, depending on the wind and weather. Beginners are matched up with more experienced sailors. If there are less experienced dinghy sailors a rescue craft is available for support.

If you’d prefer to talk about it first, our bar is open on Saturday afternoons. There are usually committee members there who can give advice on getting started.

If you already have a boat and just want a place to keep it, you should contact our caretaker who manages the berthing and storage of boats.

We welcome all sailors with their own boats into our races and social sailing events. Details of sailing and social activities are on this website