Young sailors welcomed

On the water: Junior boaters out on Lake Wendouree as part of the Ballaarat Yacht Club’s spring racing calendar. Photo: FILE

THE Ballaarat Yacht Club is inviting children to jump on the lake and learn to sail from next week.

Between 9am and 1pm each day, from Monday, 11 to Friday, 15 January, trained volunteers will guide seven to 12 year olds through the basics of sailing in a fun and safe environment.

When the budding sailors complete this Australian Sailing ‘Tackers 1’ course, they will have the ability to travel up and downwind while following a safety boat, steer with tiller extension under towing paddling power, sail with tiller extension, tie a figure-eight knot, undertake push and pull – or tack and gybe – turns, and navigate a figure-eight course.

Visit revolutionise.com.au/ballaratyacht/events/85195. Participants must already be comfortable and confident in and around water.

On the same days, between 1.30pm and 5.30pm, children within the same age group are welcome to build on the fun and skills experienced and gained in the earlier sessions.

Those who complete ‘Tackers 2 – tricks and techniques’ will be able to gybe a boat safely, get out of irons independently, sail up and downwind around a triangular course with correct reaching, use the tiller extension in the right manner, and turn the boat 360 and 720 degrees.

Visit revolutionise.com.au/ballaratyacht/events/85198.