Royal Yacht Club of Victoria is the perfect venue for families, and children in particular, to learn to sail. The Club understands the importance of quality training for both adults and children. Tackers is a program aimed at giving every junior Australian the opportunity to go sailing in a professional, safe and fun environment.

The Tackers Junior sailing program is a program for primary school aged children 7-12 years of age. Designed around kids, for kids, the Tackers junior sailing program seeks to provide a vibrant new approach to sail training that recognises that the learning styles of children differs from those of adults. We also offer Youth OutThere programs for 13 – 17 year olds and Adult keelboat programs for those coming into sailing later in life

The program is based around some core values that inform everything that is delivered and communicated about the program. Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience and they don’t need to have their own boat. All the equipment, including life jackets and boats, is provided. They don’t even need to be a member of the Club to participate, though of course we would be delighted if ultimately they decided to join up.

To enrol in a course you can click the course you are interested in and enrol online.

Tackers Values:

• Kid Centric

• Non-competitive, fun and social

• Delivered by professional, young, instructors

• Program consistent across locations

• Branded modern presentations

• Target kids outside of existing yacht club membership

• Value for money relative to programs in other sports

• Graduate pathway over several steps and seasons

Tackers Intro

Ideal for first-time sailors that are not yet ready to commit to a full Tackers 1

Tacker Intro is the first day of a Tackers 1 course and is great for children that are not sure if they will enjoy Sailing.  We keep a spot available for the Tackers Intro children to continue for the full Tackers 1 course if they enjoy the Intro.

Tackers 1 – Having Fun

Ideal for first-time sailors

Tackers 1 introduces children to the basics of sailing in a safe and exciting environment. No prior sailing experience is required. Participants learn how to rig their boat, sail across the wind, steer, stop, and return safely to shore — all while playing games and making new friends.  Two children per boat.

Skills covered include:

• Basic boat parts and rigging

• Sailing across the wind

• Steering and stopping

• Safety on and around the water

Tackers 2 – Tricks and Techniques

For sailors who have completed Tackers 1

Tackers 2 builds on the fundamentals with kids now sailing in a boat by themselves and introduces more sailing skills and confidence. Children learn to sail in different directions, improve boat control, and begin racing-style activities in a fun, supportive setting.

Skills covered include:

• Sailing upwind and downwind

• Tacking and gybing

• Improving boat balance and control

• Capsize recovery

• Introduction to sailing courses

Tackers 3 – Sailing Fast

For confident sailors ready to advance

Tackers 3 focuses on refining skills and sailing faster with better control. Sailors start to think tactically, sail independently, and are introduced to more advanced racing concepts, setting them up for ongoing sailing or club racing pathways.