How To Get Involved

Sailing is a great sport to be outside in the open air where you can have lots of fun, make lifelong friends and learn a new skill! There are a huge range of learn to sail options to choose from, suitable for all ages and abilities at Discover Sailing Centres all over the country.

Getting started in sailing is easier than you might think. Whether you want to try it for the first time, meet new people, or build your skills, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

New to Sailing?

The easiest step is to head down to your local club, have a chat, and see what’s happening. Sailing clubs are welcoming, and there’s always someone happy to help you get started.

Many clubs run Discover Sailing Days and come and try sessions, where equipment is provided so you can get out on the water in a safe and supportive environment. Some of these are women-only, so you can learn alongside others in the same position.

You can also join social sailing, like twilight sails. These are held at many clubs and are a great way to get involved without any experience. You’ll be paired with a skipper and crew, and it’s just as much about meeting people as it is about sailing.

You don’t need to commit straight away either — most clubs offer a Sail Pass, allowing you to get out on the water at little or no cost before committing to a course or membership.

Find a Discover Sailing Day

Find Your Local Club

Learn the basics

If you’re ready to build your skills, a course is the next step.

There are a range of learn to sail courses, workshops and programs designed for all ages and experience levels, including women and girls specific opportunities.

Many courses are run in a supportive, social environment, and often led by female instructors. If you’re happy to join mixed groups, there are even more options available.

If you’re not ready for a full course, shorter workshops and sessions are a great way to ease into it.

Browse Courses

Find the right type of sailing for you

If you like excitement, you'll love off the beach sailing. There's no better way to improve your sailing skills while having heaps of fun and making life-long friends!

There are a huge range of boat options for all ages, abilities and budgets. You can sail on a bay, on the coast, or on a lake. You can sail alone or with a crew. Off the beach boats are also trailable which mean you can travel the country with your off the beach dinghy or catamaran.

Off the beach:

Dinghies and Catamarans

A more hands-on style of sailing in smaller boats
Sail on your own or with one other person
Launch from a beach, lake or shoreline
Great for building skills quickly

Windsurfing & Winging

A fun, active way to get on the water
Easy to transport and quick to set up
Can be done in a range of locations
A good mix of balance, movement and freedom on the water
Great for those who prefer to sail solo
Other activities at your club, like paddleboarding

From marinas:

Keelboat sailing (yachts)

A more social option on larger boats
Sail as part of a crew (usually 4 or more people)
Learn different roles on board
Focus on teamwork

We recommend getting down to your local club to talk about what sort of boat or board best suited to you. You don’t need your own equipment to get started — many people begin by crewing on someone else’s boat, learning through a course or accessing club boats and boards at a Discover Sailing Day.

Find Your Local Club

Get more involved

Once you’ve experienced sailing, there are plenty of ways to stay involved, develop your skills and connect with other sailors in your local club.

Courses: Discover Sailing courses are available around the nation, and offer small groups of participants with a similar level of experience the opportunity to learn and develop confidence with qualified instructors, where boats/boards and lifejackets are provided.

Racing - If you enjoy a bit of competition, you can get involved in club racing. You can start as crew and build up over time, with options ranging from relaxed races to regattas.
Volunteering - Clubs rely on volunteers to run events and activities. You might help with race days, events, admin, media, or on-water support. It’s a great way to meet people and be part of the community.
Club committees - If you want to make more of an impact, joining your club committee is a great step. It’s a chance to help shape programs, events and the club environment.

Find Local Club Opportunities

Pathways beyond sailing

There are also opportunities to get involved off the water or take things further, including:

Officials and race roles (race officers, judges, protest committees)
Instructors (teaching learn to sail programs)
Coaches (supporting sailors as they progress)

These pathways are supported by training and can lead to opportunities at larger events.

Explore Pathways

Getting back into sailing?

You might have sailed as a child or not been sailing for a few years. There are plenty of opportunities for female sailors to practice and improve your sailing skills, be it through social sailing or competitive racing.

We recommend getting down to your local club to talk about what sort of sailing and boat or board is best suited to you now. Find your nearest club here or you can find crewing opportunities across the country here.

Check the Events page for upcoming SheSails events and you can also take a look at SheLearns for various on demand opportunities and view upcoming face to face courses.