Course Contents

   Dinghy Courses           Keelboat Courses              Application form

Royal Perth Yacht Club follows the guidelines suggested by the Australian Yachting Federation to ensure a safe and enjoyable introduction to both dinghy and keelboat sailing.

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Dinghy Courses

Our dinghy sailing courses follow the Yachting Australia ‘Get into Small Boat Sailing’ (GISBS) Scheme. To teach this, we use :

• The Optimist which is the ideal boat for those learning to sail from a young age (8-14yrs). For more info please see http://www.optiworld.org/ or http://www.aioda.com/.
• The 2-person Pacer which is a very popular training boat best suited to those aged 10 and up. For more information please see http://www.pacersailing.org.au/.
• The Laser which is a 1 person dinghy suited for those aged 14 and up. Be prepared to go fast and get wet. For more information please see www.laserinternational.org or www.laserwa.asn.au.

Basic Skills

This course takes students through Levels 1 & 2 of the GISBS scheme. The course is an introduction to sailing dinghies and provides the students with the skills and safety knowledge to feel comfortable sailing with minimal assistance in light winds and enclosed waters.

• For beginners to sailing
• Optimists, Pacers or Lasers
• Saturday Morning courses 8.00am to 12.00pm – runs over 4 Saturdays
• School Holiday Courses 9am to 12.00pm - or Level 2+ on Lasers from 1pm to 4.00pm, runs Monday to Friday
• Cost: $220 includes:
  • Learn-to-sail booklet
  • YA GISBS logbook
  • YA Insurance cover
  • 2 vouchers to use the Club boats on a Sunday morning training session or race
  • Discount on the nomination fee if subsequently joining the Club as a Member

Click here for upcoming course dates

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Keelboat Courses

Those wishing to learn to sail on a yacht will enter a course adopted from the Yachting Australia TL4 Competent Crew scheme. This course is flexible and suits those that just want to get a basic on-water introduction, to those wanting a more complete learning experience.

The course will qualify you in the Competent Crew Certification from Yachting Australia and includes an official logbook at no extra cost. This qualification is a very useful starting point in the yachting industry and recommended if you are keen on chartering yachts around Australia or overseas.

Basic Sailing- Competent Crew

This course places you straight onto a keelboat where qualified instructors will take you through the basics of sailing and the major crewing positions onboard a keelboat, including skipper. Following the course you will be knowledgeable enough to jump aboard a boat and help out as an active crew member. Many students go straight from this course to crewing regularly on member’s boats during Wednesday and Saturday Racing. The twilight sail in the summer season is also a great avenue into the social side of the yacht club where you can meet new friends and potential skippers.

• Perfect for beginners to sailing who are interested in just getting out there and having a go
• Excellent initiation into keelboat racing at Royal Perth Yacht Club
• Saturday Morning courses 8.00am to 12.00pm – runs over 5 Saturdays
• Thursday evening twilight from 5.30pm (except for courses run during the off season).
• Cost: $330 includes:
  • Learn-to-sail booklet
  • YA Insurance cover
  • Assistance in finding a regular crewing position
  • Discount on the nomination fee if subsequently joining the Club as a Member

Click here for upcoming course dates 

Advanced Sailing Course

This course provides you with more advanced skills in the area of racing/cruising (spinnaker hoists and drops, sail trim, boat handling and race strategy). This is the next step in the learning process and will make you more accomplished in all the crewing positions on the yacht. This course is useful for those wishing to further develop the skills and knowledge already gained through the basic sailing practical course and increasing the level of confidence taking on any crew position on a boat. The course consists of 5 sessions on a Saturday Morning, from 8am-12pm and will be a mixture of theory and practical. Open to all sailors that have completed both the basic sailing Theory and Practical courses. $300.00pp.

The course will be made available from the 29th of May and it is planned that this course will run every Saturday Morning through- out the year, dependent on weather conditions.

For further information please contact Hayden Swanson- Club Development Officer at sailtraining@rpyc.com.au

Crew Skipper

Designed for the Partners of Boat Owners who would like to be able to operate a boat in an emergency. There is a focus on safety in a fun course with plenty of practise with boat handling. Participants could complete their RST as a component of this course. Contact Hayden on 9423 5518 or sailtraining@rpyc.com.au for details of potential dates.

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Private Lessons

Fancy some one-on-one coaching with an elite sailing coach?

Whether it be learning the basics, perfecting your spinnaker work, learning about race tactics or brushing up on your navigation - we have an experienced coach ready to help. For those a little more serious about their yachting we can cater for all levels up to and including preparation for your Offshore Yachtmaster exam.

Contact the Club Development Officer Hayden Swanson on 9423 5518 for more details.

All courses are subject to numbers enrolled. Courses may be re-scheduled if minimum number is not met.

Classes may have alternatives offered if weather conditions are unsafe for sailing, please contact the club on 9389 1555 for any enquiries.