Level 1: Start... Sailing!
The basics, to get you up and going.
Pōhara Boat Club
Learn to sail
Here is everything you need to know about our courses and Sunday Sailing.
Intro to Sailing course
- When
- Sunday 8 November or Sunday 15 November, 11am to 1pm. The course is one day, so choose one date.
- Where
- Pōhara Boat Club, Port Tarakohe, Golden Bay. [Committee to confirm: where to meet on the day]
- Who
- Adults and children, all welcome. [Committee to confirm: youngest age, and whether children need to be able to swim]
- Cost
- $20 per person for members, $30 per person for non-members. Member rates need a full single or family membership (social membership is not included).
- Bring
- Sturdy shoes, a sun hat, water, sunscreen and a towel. [Committee to confirm: whether life jackets and wetsuits are provided]
- Questions
- admin@poharaboatclub.org
How to sign up
- Not a member yet? Join online first to get the member rate.
- Fill in the online course registration form, or download the paper form (Word document) and email it to admin@poharaboatclub.org.
- Pay by direct credit to our NBS account 03-1354-0614952-00, using the contact person's last name as the reference.
Check the wind, weather and tides for Port Tarakohe
Spaces are limited and your place is confirmed once payment is received. If your chosen date is full, you will be offered the other date or a full refund.
Sunday Sailing
From October to April, members can sail every Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. It is a relaxed way to have a go, build your skills and enjoy the water in a safe setting.
Everyone is welcome, from complete beginners to experienced sailors, and coaching is there for anyone who wants it. All sessions follow our club safety standards, with support boats on the water run by trained volunteers.
Not sure about joining yet? Come along to one of our "have a go" sessions, which run from time to time through the season. [Committee to confirm: dates of upcoming have a go sessions]
The bar and restaurant upstairs is open from 12pm on Sundays for a drink and a bite to eat. [Committee to confirm: current bar and restaurant hours]
Yachting New Zealand Learn to Sail courses
Yachting New Zealand's Learn to Sail programme is the only nationally recognised learn to sail programme in New Zealand, and it is also recognised internationally by World Sailing. Courses are run by qualified coaches and each level comes with a certificate.
Level 2: Sailing... Fast!
Builds on level 1 so you become a more skilled sailor, more confident with manoeuvres and stronger winds.
Level 3: Go... Racing!
Covers the basics of racing, boat speed, weather and race strategy.
Levels 1 and 2 are often taught together and take 20 to 30 hours. Our club offers levels 1 and 2 to members over 6 weeks, with each session about 2.5 hours of theory and practice on the water.
[Committee to confirm: whether Learn to Sail levels 1 and 2 are running this season, the dates, cost, and how to book]
For parents and newcomers
First time at the club?
Answers to the questions new families often ask before their first course.
Do we need to be club members to do the Intro to Sailing course?
No. Non-members are welcome at $30 per person. Members pay $20 per person, and the member rate needs a full single or family membership (social membership does not count).
How old do children need to be?
[Committee to confirm: youngest age for the Intro to Sailing course]
Do they need to be able to swim?
[Committee to confirm: swimming requirement, if any]
What should we bring?
Sturdy shoes, a sun hat, water, sunscreen and a towel. [Committee to confirm: whether life jackets and wetsuits are provided]
Is it safe?
All club sailing follows our club safety standards, with support boats on the water run by trained volunteers. On the course, everyone follows the instructions of the course instructors.
Can parents stay and watch?
[Committee to confirm: whether parents can stay, and where they can watch from]
Where do we go when we arrive?
The club is at Port Tarakohe, Golden Bay. [Committee to confirm: where to meet and where to park] See the map.
What happens if the weather is bad?
[Committee to confirm: what happens if the weather is bad, and how families are told]
How do we pay?
Pay by direct credit to our NBS account 03-1354-0614952-00, using the contact person's last name as the reference. Your place is confirmed once payment is received.
What if our date is full?
You will be offered the other date or a full refund.
Can we get food or a drink?
The current website says the bar and restaurant upstairs is open from 12pm on Sundays. [Committee to confirm: current bar and restaurant hours]
What comes after the intro course?
Members can come to Sunday Sailing every Sunday from October to April, 1pm to 4pm. The club also offers Yachting New Zealand Learn to Sail levels 1 and 2 to members. [Committee to confirm: whether levels 1 and 2 are running this season]
For parents
- Juniors can join learn to sail courses with a single or family membership.
- The club also runs after school sailing and holiday programmes. [Committee to confirm: days, times and ages for after school and holiday sailing]
- Every session has support boats on the water run by trained volunteers.
- [Committee to confirm: what happens if the weather is bad on a course day, and how parents are told]