Royal Geelong Yacht Club (Geelong)
Royal Geelong Yacht Club is a historic sailing club on Geelong's waterfront, offering sailing lessons, introductory sailing experiences and activities for children, teenagers and adults on Corio Bay.
The club is home to an Australian Sailing accredited Discover Sailing Centre, with programmes designed to introduce beginners to sailing in a supportive environment.
Children as young as four can participate in introductory sailing activities, while older children and teenagers can progress through structured courses and sailing programmes.
The club is also associated with the annual Festival of Sails, one of Australia's major sailing events.
Little Tackers (Ages 4-6):
Little Tackers introduces younger children to sailing and the water through short, games-based activities.
The programme focuses on building water confidence, learning basic safety skills and enjoying the experience in a supportive environment.
Children can develop familiarity with boats and sailing equipment before progressing to longer Tackers courses.
Tackers Sailing Courses (Ages 7-12):
Tackers is a structured learn-to-sail programme developed by Australian Sailing for children aged 7 to 12.
No previous sailing experience is required for Tackers 1.
The programme has three progressive levels:
- Tackers 1: Introduction to sailing, basic safety, steering, sail control and teamwork.
- Tackers 2: Developing boat handling, steering, turning and sailing in different directions.
- Tackers 3: More independent sailing, improved boat handling, confidence and practical seamanship.
The courses generally involve 20 hours of instruction, with boats and essential sailing equipment supplied.
There are also shorter Tackers Intro sessions for children who want to try sailing before enrolling in a course.
See Tackers courses and bookings.
OutThere Sailing for Teenagers:
OutThere Sailing is designed for teenagers aged 12 to 17 who want to learn sailing in a relaxed, social environment.
The programme focuses on developing sailing skills, having fun on the water and building confidence without an emphasis on racing.
Beginners are welcome, and activities are supervised by qualified instructors.
See sailing courses for teenagers.
Discover Sailing:
Royal Geelong Yacht Club also offers introductory sailing experiences for people interested in trying the sport.
Activities include:
- Introductory sailing sessions for children.
- Discover Sailing experiences for teenagers and adults.
- Beginner dinghy sailing courses.
- Keelboat sailing courses.
- Opportunities to become involved in club sailing and racing.
What to Bring:
Children participating in sailing activities should bring:
- Drink bottle.
- Hat and sunscreen.
- Snacks.
- Towel and change of clothes.
- Closed-toe shoes that can get wet.
- Suitable clothing for the weather.
- Spray jacket or wetsuit during cooler conditions, if available.
Children do not necessarily need previous sailing experience or strong swimming skills to join introductory courses, although parents should discuss water confidence and individual requirements with the Sailing Academy.
Facilities:
- Victorian Sailing Centre and Sailing Academy.
- Sailing dinghies and training equipment.
- Qualified sailing instructors.
- Lifejackets and safety equipment.
- Marina and sailing facilities.
- Clubhouse and member facilities.
- The Yot Café.
- Nearby public parking and waterfront walking paths.
Opening Hours:
Reception: Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, and Saturday, 9 am to 12 noon. Closed Sunday and Monday.
Sailing lessons and programmes operate at scheduled times.
See Sailing Academy courses and availability.
Cost:
Fees vary depending on the sailing course or experience. Free introductory sessions are offered at selected times.
See current sailing courses, fees and bookings.
Review:
Royal Geelong Yacht Club provides an excellent opportunity for children and teenagers to experience sailing on Corio Bay.
The Little Tackers programme introduces younger children to the water, while the Tackers courses provide a clear progression from beginner skills through to more independent sailing.
One of the major advantages is that beginners do not need to own a boat or have previous sailing experience. The club supplies training boats and essential equipment, with qualified instructors supervising the sessions.
The availability of short introductory experiences is particularly useful for families wanting to see whether their children enjoy sailing before committing to a longer course.
Teenagers can also participate in OutThere Sailing, which provides a relaxed approach to learning rather than focusing entirely on competition.
As sailing is an outdoor water activity, lessons are subject to suitable weather conditions. Families should also consider their child's confidence around water and discuss any concerns with the instructors.
For children interested in boats, outdoor adventures and learning a new skill, Royal Geelong Yacht Club is an appealing option in a beautiful waterfront setting.
Location
25 Eastern Beach Road, Geelong 3220 View Map
✆ (03) 5229 3705
Email Enquiry
Web Links
→ rgyc.com.au
