Young sailors find their sea legs at Lake Wendouree

GETTING out on the water and learning to sail has been a highlight of summer for 11 local children who took part in Ballarat Yacht Club’s tackers’ course.

The Tackers’ Learn to Sail program returned to Lake Wendouree last week after a couple of years’ hiatus, giving children aged eight to 13 the chance to learn the fundamentals of sailing.

“It’s about building their confidence and just learning the basics of sailing: how to turn the boat, get the wind in the sail,” club committee member Lesley Davies said.

“We have a fleet of boats for the kids to use – Opti’s, Pacers, and we’ve just bought some new O’pen BICs, which are quite fast little boats for the kids to progress to as they become better.”

The children had benefited from an instructor from Australian Sailing this year, she said.

“They learn to tie knots, steer with the tiller, how to jive and tack, how to turn the boats and how to go around a figure of eight course,” Ms Davies said.

“They learn to sail up wind and down wind following the safety boat and we have two safety boats out with them.

“They don’t want to go home when the parents come to get them. This group have absolutely loved it.”

The multi-day course, which took place last week between 20-22 January, has been running for about ten years in Ballarat and is sponsored by Australian Sailing.

The program aims to attract a new generation of keen sailors and local yacht club members.

The club will have more opportunities coming up in February and March for both juniors and adults, including beginners, to learn windsurfing and sailing.

To register your interest, head to the club’s website.