The course at a glance.
- Programme
- Australian Sailing
- Level
- beginner
- Delivery
- on water
- Published duration
- 12 hours
Confirm how these published details apply to the school’s current programme.
About this course.
Start Sailing 1 is the first proper course on Australian Sailing's dinghy pathway: a hands-on introduction to sailing a small boat, run at accredited centres that supply the boats and gear. You'll learn the language of sailing, get the boat on and off the water, and practise what to do when it tips over. That last part is what gives most beginners the confidence to keep going.
Who it suits
- Teenagers and adults who have never sailed, or who have only been out once or twice
- Graduates of a Discover Sailing Experience who want structured lessons
- Parents of junior sailors who would like to understand what their kids are doing on the water
- Anyone planning to move on to keelboats later who wants to learn the basics where the boat responds instantly
The only listed prerequisite is that you are water confident. Younger children usually start with Tackers 1 instead.
What you'll actually do
Australian Sailing recommends about 12 hours for the course. Centres run it in different ways: a weekend intensive, a few weekday sessions in the school holidays, or a run of weekly evening lessons. Expect short briefings on shore, then plenty of time on the water in small groups, usually with an instructor nearby in a rescue boat.
You'll learn the names of the parts of the boat and the gear, then launch from the beach or ramp and return to shore. You'll get used to steering and trimming the sails in light, sheltered conditions and do a supervised capsize so that tipping over feels routine rather than scary. Plan on getting wet.
Key ideas explained
- Windward and leeward: windward is the side the wind is coming from; leeward is the side it blows towards. Nearly every instruction on the water uses these words.
- Points of sail: how the boat is angled to the wind. You can't sail straight into the wind (the "no-go zone"). Across the wind is a reach, and with the wind behind you is a run. The sails are let out further as you turn away from the wind.
- Tacking and gybing: two ways to change direction. In a tack the bow turns through the wind. In a gybe the stern turns through the wind and the boom swings across, so you keep your head down.
- Sheets and trim: sheets are the ropes that control the sails. A useful rule is to ease the sail out until its front edge starts to flutter, then pull it in just enough to stop the flutter.
- Capsize recovery: stay with the boat, because it floats and is easier to spot than a swimmer. Keep hold of the boat, get the bow pointing roughly into the wind, then stand on the centreboard to lever it upright.
Where it fits
| Stage | Course |
|---|---|
| Before | Discover Sailing Experience (optional taster) |
| This course | Start Sailing 1: basics, launching and landing, capsize recovery |
| Next | Start Sailing 2, which some centres combine with this one |
| Later | Better Sailing, then racing courses |
If you're comparing systems, Start Sailing 1 is broadly comparable to entry-level dinghy courses elsewhere. It is not an official equivalent to any overseas certificate.
Getting ready
- Wear quick-drying layers, a hat, sunglasses on a strap, and shoes that can get wet and won't slip. Avoid bare feet and cotton if it's cool.
- Bring sunscreen, water, a snack and a full change of clothes. Ask whether the centre supplies wetsuits.
- Check that the centre provides a correctly sized lifejacket and that it fits snugly.
- Tell your instructor about any medical conditions, and whether you're nervous about capsizing. They'll plan for it.
- Ask the centre how many students there are per boat and per instructor, and what happens if the wind is too strong or too light.
Good to know in Australia
A dinghy course certificate is not a boat licence. If you later want to drive a powered boat, recreational licensing is handled separately by each state, so check your state's maritime authority.
What you learn.
- Understand basic sailing terminology
- Identify dinghy sailing equipment
- Launch a dinghy
- Return a dinghy to shore
- Recover from a capsize
Prepare for your booking.
Published prerequisites
- Water confident
Plan your learning experience.
Choose the boat and the group together
A course photograph does not tell you whether you will sail alone, with another student or with an instructor aboard. Ask about the usual boat arrangement, the instructor-to-student setup and how support is provided on the water. Two friends booking together may want shared learning, while a solo student may prefer a group where partners rotate. Neither arrangement is automatically better. What matters is having enough turns, a clear explanation of the exercise and a way to ask for help without feeling that you are holding the whole group up.
Plan the practical details before paying
Request the full session schedule, arrival instructions and a clothing list. Find out which equipment is supplied, where you can change, whether there is somewhere to leave a dry bag and what happens if conditions prevent sailing. Compare the total commitment, including travel and any membership arrangements, instead of only the advertised lesson price. Avoid buying specialist clothing before the school explains what is needed for its boats and season. A straightforward packing list and a confirmed meeting point are more useful for the first day than a cupboard full of unfamiliar gear.
Turn one course into a sailing habit
Before the final session, ask the instructor what to practise next and whether Start Sailing 2 is the appropriate progression. A course certificate and confidence are not always the same thing; you may value an extra supervised session before moving on. Ask about club practice, boat access and opportunities for returning beginners. Write down two skills that improved and one that still needs attention. That short record makes your next conversation with an instructor far more useful than saying you have already done a beginner course.
Australian Sailing Start Sailing 1: enquiry checklist
Use this to prepare your first enquiry. Print a copy to keep with your notes.
0 of 6 ready · Checks reset when you leave this page.
A useful first message.
Replace the bracketed details with your own. Leave unknown information marked as unknown.
Hello, I found your YouSail-linked Australian Sailing Start Sailing 1 course on Sailing Directory. My recent experience is [details] and my goal is [goal]. Please confirm current dates, prerequisites, recognition, delivery format, group size and the complete cost.
Source updated . School schedules and places require direct confirmation.
Before you make the next move.
Open a question for practical advice to help with your next decision.
Do I need my own dinghy?
Ask the centre what is included. Many beginner programmes use school boats; confirm boat access, personal equipment and any additional charges for your particular booking.
Should I choose dinghy or keelboat lessons?
Choose dinghy sailing for an active small-boat experience. If your immediate goal is crewing a larger yacht with a group, compare Start Crewing before deciding.
What if I am nervous about the water?
Tell the school before booking. Ask how water confidence is assessed and supported, how recovery exercises are taught and whether the format suits your needs.
