Kids who dream of being out on the water will love the Tackers kids’ learn-to-sail program at Hillarys Yacht Club. Run in the sheltered waters of Hillarys Boat Harbour, this nationally recognised Australian Sailing program is designed especially for 7 to 12-year-olds and is a brilliant, confidence-building introduction to sailing. You don’t need to be a club member and no prior experience is required – just a willingness to have a go and get a little bit salty.
Courses are delivered in small groups by Australian Sailing–qualified instructors and assistant instructors, with all boats and safety gear, including lifejackets, provided. The focus is firmly on fun, games and adventure rather than dry theory, so most kids barely realise how much they’re learning. Sessions typically run as multi-day blocks over the school holidays (and at times during term), giving children time to settle in, make friends and progress their skills across the week while parents enjoy a few free mornings. Families meet under the club’s covered area for a safety briefing at the start, then parents can either head off or grab a coffee at the club and watch the action from the beach or balcony.
Tackers is structured into three levels – Tackers 1 “Having Fun”, Tackers 2 “Tricks & Techniques” and Tackers 3 “Sailing Fast” – so kids can keep coming back and building on what they’ve already learned. Early sessions cover the basics: parts of the boat, how to launch and bring boats ashore safely, steering, tacking and simple sail trim, all wrapped up in games and challenges. As they progress, children learn more advanced techniques and spend more time out on the water, sailing in pairs or small groups with coach boats close by for guidance. Capsize drills, like unexpectedly going for a swim when boats bump or tip, are treated as learning opportunities, helping kids understand how to stay calm, work as a team and get themselves safely back upright.
The atmosphere at Hillarys Yacht Club is very welcoming for families. Kids quickly bond over the shared challenge of the wind and waves, and by the end of a course they usually come home happily exhausted, full of stories and noticeably more confident in and around the ocean. For those who catch the sailing bug, there’s a clear pathway from Tackers into the club’s Green Fleet program, Sunday Dinghy Sailing and teen learn-to-sail courses, giving keen young sailors the chance to progress into racing or simply continue enjoying time on the water with new friends.
With professional instruction, a focus on safety, and the bonus of being based at one of Perth’s most family-friendly marinas, the Tackers program at Hillarys Yacht Club is a fantastic way for kids to build lifelong skills and a love of the sea.
Hillarys Yacht Club – Kids Learn to Sail (Tackers)
Address: Hillarys Yacht Club, 65 Northside Drive, Hillarys WA 6025, Australia
Opening hours: Course dates and session times vary by program and season; check the website for current kids’ learn-to-sail and school holiday schedules.
Official website: https://hillarysyachtclub.com.au/kids-learn-to-sail
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Lorraine is co-owner of Buggybuddys and is a mother to Blake (15) and Lollie (12).
