SAILING PROGRAMS
Programs for every age and stage.
Whether you’re brand new to sailing or looking to build confidence on the water, there’s something for everyone at PPSC.
Our programs support juniors, youth, families, and adult beginners, with qualified instructors and a welcoming club community.
LEARN TO SAIL
Your Sailing Experience Awaits
Our Learn to Sail courses are designed to equip students with the essential skills and confidence to safely sail a small dinghy in light to moderate weather conditions. While these courses do not cover the full Australian Sailing syllabus, they focus on practical, fundamental skills to get you sailing quickly and safely.
Most beginners gain basic sailing ability after three 2.5-hour sessions. By the end, you’ll know how to control a dinghy, manage wind and balance, handle common on-water situations, and understand weather, tides, safety procedures and basic sailing rules.
Open to ages 6 to 106, our sessions are fun, supportive and require no prior experience. We emphasise safety, environmental awareness and skills that help you sail independently or with others.
Qualified club instructors
Safety boats on the water
Helmets & life jackets supplied
Wind limits on every session
How to get started
Pick a program, let the team know you’re coming, and we’ll see you at the club!
1
Compare the sessions below by age, day and cost. Not sure which one suits? Start with Sunday Juniors or Saturday Intro to Sailing.
2
Give John a call or text on 0407 145 397 to confirm your spot. Please do this each week you plan to sail.
3
Come down and sail
Find us at Esplanade South Park, 25 The Esplanade. Helmets and life jackets are supplied, and club boats are available.
Compare All Programs
Every session at a glance. Full details for each program are below.
| Program | When | Age | Cost | Membership | Boats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday Juniors | Sundays, 8:30am – 10:30am | 6 – 16 | $20 per person | Not required | Club boats supplied |
| Opti-Navigators (10-week series) | Saturdays, 1:30pm – 3:30pm, 3 Oct – 5 Dec 2026 | 6 – 16 | $30 own boat / $45 club boat per session | Not required | Optimist, 5 club boats for hire |
| Sunday Youth Green Fleet | Sundays, 10:30am – 12:30pm | 9 – 12 | $12 own boat / $20 club boat | Financial member | Lasers, Bic Skiffs, RS Sabots, Optis |
| Youth Fleet Racing | Sundays, 1:30pm – 4:00pm | 9 – 18 | $12 own boat / $20 club boat | Member + Australian Sailing Number | Bic Skiff, RS Tera, Sabot, Opti |
| School Holiday Camps | School holidays, 9:00am – 3:00pm | 6 – 16 | $140 for 2 days / $85 for 1 day | Not required | Boat, wetsuit and gear provided |
| Saturday Intro to Sailing | 8:00am – 11:00am, 4 sessions | 18+ | $395 per person | Not required | Laser and Pacer dinghies |
| Saturday Skilled Practice | 12:30pm – 3:30pm | Adults, Level 1+ | $20 own boat / $35 club boat / $50 two-sail dinghy | Not required | Lasers, Pacer, 420, Caper Cat |
The Junior Pathway
All junior sailors begin at Level 1 and progress at their own pace. There is no rush, and no need to race unless you want to.
Step 1
Sunday Juniors
Levels 1 to 3. Rigging, tacking and gybing, capsize recovery. No membership needed to try.
Step 2
Youth Training Group
After Level 3. Sails as far as Runaway Bay Marina, working on angles, speed, stability and teamwork.
Step 3
Sunday Green Fleet
Entry to racing, by instructor assessment. Builds confidence and introduces youth racing pathways.
Step 4
Youth Fleet Racing
Club racing each weekend, plus local regattas, away events and state titles with club support.
▸ Our programs
Junior & Youth Sailing
▸ Introduction to sailing
Sunday Juniors
This session introduces children to the basics of sailing, including rigging, tacking/gybing, and capsize recovery. Ideal as a first try-out or entry pathway into ongoing sailing programs.
Beginners sail with at least two students per boat under the guidance of club instructors. Full club amenities available.
Please call or text John on 0407 145 397 to confirm your attendance each week.
TIME
Sundays, 8:30am – 10:30am
AGE
6 – 16, with basic swimming ability
COST
$20 per person, pay by cash or card at sign-on. Bulk lessons: 5 for $90. No membership required.
SAFETY
Wind limit 12 knots. Helmets & life jackets supplied.
▸ Sailing & learn to race
Sunday Youth Green Fleet
A progression from Sunday Juniors. Students advance to this level following assessment by senior instructors. This program builds sailing confidence and introduces participants to youth racing pathways.
Boats: Lasers, Bic Skiffs, RS Sabots, Optis
Please call or text John on 0407 145 397 to confirm your attendance each week.
TIME
Sundays, 10:30am – 12:30pm
AGE
9 – 12
COST
$12 own boat / $20 club boat. Must be a financial member of PPSC.
SAFETY
Wind limit 16 knots. Helmets & life jackets supplied.
▸ Sailing & learn to race
Youth Fleet Racing
Youth Fleet Racing is held each weekend, with championship races scheduled on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month, weather dependent. All other Sundays feature general, non-points racing focused on skill development and race practice. If conditions are unsuitable, the group completes sailing drills and simulated racing.
Youth sailors also represent PPSC at local regattas, away events and state titles, with club support. Club boats may be leased, conditions apply.
Boats: Bic Skiff, RS Tera, Sabot, Opti
TIME
Sundays, 1:30pm – 4:00pm
AGE
9 – 18
COST
$12 own boat / $20 club boat
REQUIREMENTS
Green Fleet & Level 3 training. Current Australian Sailing Number. Financial member of PPSC.
SAFETY
Wind limit 16 knots. Safety boats always on the water.
▸ Our programs
School Holiday Camps
Two-day sailing camps
A fun, hands-on introduction to sailing for children of all experience levels.
Across two days, participants learn the basics of rigging, balance, steering and boat handling through practical activities, games and supervised time on the water. It’s all about building confidence, learning new skills and having fun along the way!
We provide: Safety helmets, life jackets, wetsuits & sailboats.
TIME
School holidays, 9:00am – 3:00pm
AGE
6 – 16
COST
$140 per person for 2 days, $85 for 1 day
▸ Our programs
Adult & Open Sailing
Saturday Intro to Sailing
A structured introduction to sailing held over four consecutive 3-hour sessions, solo or in pairs. Participants learn core skills like rigging, steering, tacking and gybing in Laser and Pacer dinghies. Perfect for adults with little or no experience who want to build confidence and understand the fundamentals of sailing.
Please call or text John on 0407 145 397 to confirm your place.
TIME
8:00am – 11:00am, 4 sessions
AGE
18+
COST
$395 per person
Saturday Skilled Practice
This weekly social sailing activity includes structured training supported by an instructor and a rescue boat. Participants must hold at least Australian Sailing Level 1 and demonstrate sound practical sailing ability.
Boats: Lasers, Pacer, Caper Cat. Skilled practice runs only in suitable conditions and when qualified instructors are present.
Call or text John on 0407 145 397 for availability.
TIME
12:30pm – 3:30pm
COST
$20 own boat / $35 club boat / $50 two-sail dinghy
REQUIREMENTS
Australian Sailing Level 1 or equivalent
All sessions are weather permitting
Please call or text John on 0407 145 397 to confirm each week — cancellations are posted on our Facebook page.
Your First Session
A quick rundown so you know what to expect before you arrive.
What we supply
- Club boats, sails and rigging
- Helmets and life jackets
- Wetsuits for holiday camps
- Instructors and safety boats on the water
What to bring
- Clothes you don’t mind getting wet
- Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Drink bottle and a towel
- A change of clothes and closed shoes
Good to know
- Sunday Juniors is pay at sign-on, cash or card
- Juniors need basic swimming ability
- Beginners sail two to a boat with an instructor
- Canteen and club amenities are open on sailing days
Common Questions
I've never sailed before, where do I start?
We offer programs suitable to a range of different levels and ages to suit all participants from new to the sport to experienced sailors wanting to race.
Do we need our own boat?
No. Club boats are available for every learn-to-sail session, and holiday camps include a boat as well as a wetsuit, helmet and life jacket. If you do have your own boat, session fees are lower.
Does my child need to be able to swim?
Juniors aged 6 to 16 need basic swimming ability. Helmets and life jackets are supplied and worn at all times, and safety boats are on the water during sessions.
Do we have to join the club first?
Not to try sailing. Sunday Juniors requires no membership, so it is the easiest way to start. Green Fleet and Youth Fleet Racing do require a financial PPSC membership, and racing also requires a current Australian Sailing Number.
Can we hire a boat for Opti-Navigators?
Yes, club Opti training boats are available at $45 per session instead of $30 if you bring your own. There are only 5 club Optis in the fleet, so hire spots are allocated first in, first served.
What happens if the weather is bad?
All sessions are weather permitting, with wind limits of 12 knots for Sunday Juniors and 16 knots for youth sessions. Cancellations are posted on our Facebook page, and it is always worth a quick call or text to John before heading down.
How long before I can sail on my own?
Most beginners gain basic sailing ability after three 2.5-hour sessions. By then you will be able to control a dinghy, manage wind and balance, and handle common on-water situations.
Can adults learn here too?
Yes. Saturday Intro to Sailing runs over four 3-hour sessions for ages 18 and up, solo or in pairs, in Laser and Pacer dinghies. Saturday Skilled Practice is a weekly social session for sailors who already hold Australian Sailing Level 1.
JOIN THE CLUB!
Membership Options
PPSC Membership Form
Membership Renewal Form
Ready to give sailing a go?
Call or text John to confirm your spot, or send us an email if you have questions first. Everyone is welcome, whatever your experience.