I’ve never sailed before. Can I start?

Yes. We teach complete beginners as well as sailors progressing toward skipper qualifications. Our beginner pathway and Try Sail experience are designed for people with little or no sailing experience.

What to expect from your first sailing lesson?

Your first sailing lesson or Try Sail with AusSea Sailing School isn’t a classroom lecture. It’s hands-on from minute one, out on the water, learning by actually doing.

What do I need to bring?

Make sure you bring a hat, sun screen and some water. If rain is forecast, please bring a spray jacket. 

Does a sailing lesson get cancelled when it’s raining?

No. Rain isn’t going to stop us. AusSea Sailing School will cancel a sailing class if there is more than 25 knots of wind or no wind at all.

Where can I find AusSea Sailing School?

The address is 44 Endeavour Street, Sans Souci, with plenty of free parking and only 20 minutes from Sydney CBD.

Where do we sail?

AusSea Sailing School teaches on Kogarah Bay and Botany Bay – arguably the best waters to learn how to sail in Sydney. Unlike crowded Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay is very safe and we usually enjoy more consistent winds as well. Botany Bay isn’t as choppy and busy as Sydney Harbour nor as exposed as Port Hacking and Cronulla.

What time do the sailing lessons start and finish?

We operate 7 days a week, with multiple sessions a day. The first session starts at 9.30 am, the second at 11.30 am and the third at 1.30 pm on all weekdays and in the weekends. The sailing lessons run for two hours. During the summer season we also have a 3.30-5.30 pm session during the weekends. Please make sure to be at the sailing school five minutes before the start of your lesson.

What type of yachts does AusSea Sailing School use?

For our IYT Inshore Skipper pathway we’ll take you out in one of our J24’s, the most popular keel race yacht in the world. A J24 is ideal for training purposes, because they are stable and safe, yet very responsive and fun to sail. For our racing courses we use J24’s and an S111 for ocean racing. We also use Renegade, our comfortable and fast S111, for the offshore courses.

What is the maximum number of students on board?

AusSea Sailing School likes to keep the groups small, so every student gets plenty of time on the helm, trim and lots of attention. Three students and one instructor is usually the maximum. This will give everyone plenty of time to practice.

What to look for when choosing a sailing school?

Look for consistent teaching from one experienced instructor, a clear learning pathway and accredited courses in safe, sheltered waters. Add a professional outfit with flexible times, and you’ll keep progressing.

Is it hard to find a crewing position with sailing clubs?

Once you’ve finished the Inshore Skipper Level and the J24 Spinnaker Course you’ll be a popular crew member. We have partnerships with sailing clubs around Sydney, Botany Bay, Port Hacking, Cronulla and Wollongong. We’ll help you to find a suitable yacht or sportsboat to race on and get you in contact with the skipper.

Do I need a licence to sail?

No, you don’t. However, charter companies in the Whitsundays and other parts of Australia require you to have basic sailing skills and experience. The only valuable certificate for the recreational sailor is the International Certificate of Competency (ICC) which enables the holder to charter a yacht up to 24 meters in most parts of the world. This is the goal for the majority of our students.