Goolwa Sailing Club (GSC), is a vibrant, community-focused sailing club located on the scenic banks of the Murray River in South Australia. Founded in 2011, the club grew from a junior sail training program that began in 1995 into a full sailing club offering structured learning, racing, and adventure experiences. With calm waters and beautiful surroundings, GSC provides an ideal setting for sailors of all ages and abilities.

Operating as a family-oriented, volunteer-driven community, GSC delivers a wide range of Discover Sailing programs. Courses include Start Sailing 1 & 2, Safety Boat Operator and Powerboat training, as well as coaching programs for juniors and youth, particularly within the ILCA and Opti fleets.

GSC’s Commodore, Adam Spees, said becoming a Discover Sailing Centre has strengthened the Club’s ability to deliver safe, high-quality sailing experiences. “It gives us a strong platform to get people on the water safely, with the right systems, insurance coverage and support in place. It also allows us to deliver consistent, positive experiences for everyone who comes through the Club.”

He also highlighted the role SailPass plays in welcoming new sailors to the Club. “SailPass is a great tool for us. It makes it easy for people to try sailing, gives them the right coverage, and removes barriers to getting on the water.”

On-water coaching is a key feature of GSC’s Discover Sailing programs, with a hands-on approach that extends into racing. “We coach sailors during some of the actual races because that’s where the learning really happens. On championship days, coaching is off limits to ensure fairness, while on non-championship days, we focus on development. This approach has helped our sailors progress faster than in many other programs.”

Another key focus at GSC is mentoring and team teaching, which helps Assistant & Full Instructors develop both their instructing skills and leadership abilities. “We highly promote team teaching,” said Spees. “We involve our Assistant Instructors in training and conferences, giving young sailors real opportunities to grow as instructors and as people. Several of my AI’s joined me at a recent instructor conference, and they were so keen to get involved. It really instilled confidence in them and showed them they’re a valued part of the club. Australian Sailing was even impressed by the number of instructors we have from such a small club.”

A unique part of GSC’s program is its strong focus on balancing adventure sailing with racing, which keeps every session interesting and fun. “We try to take the kids somewhere different each time. We don’t want it to be the same experience every week,” continued Spees. “There’s a lot of freedom to explore different destinations or set up a destination race, rather than just going around the usual trapezoid course. It keeps sailing exciting and gives everyone a chance to experience something new on the water.” 

That spirit of exploration also underpins the Club’s annual sailing trip, delivered in partnership with a local high school. Each March, students take part in three-day outdoor education excursion that combines sailing and camping in Coorong National Park, using dinghies and keelboats. “It’s about giving students an experience they’ll remember,” Spees said. “They’re learning to sail, working as a team and spending time outdoors.” The club is also planning to host Discover Sailing Days in the upcoming season, creating even more opportunities for new participants to get on the water.

Participation is a major focus for GSC, with a strong emphasis on getting girls actively involved in sailing according to Spees. “Girls made up 40% of our recent Learn to Sail Week, and we’re seeing growing interest from female sailors across all programs.”

The Club also takes part in SheSails initiatives and hosts girls’ clinics in partnership with the International Optimist Dinghy Association of South Australia (IODASA), creating pathways for young women to build skills, confidence, and a love for sailing.

Over the last three years, GSC has overcome significant environmental challenges. Major flooding in 2023 forced the Club to close for six months, followed by widespread algal blooms in 2024 and again in 2025 severely restricted where sailing could safely take place.

During these periods, the Club was required to avoid affected beaches and lake areas, instead shifting activity where possible to clearer sections of the river system or pausing on-water programs altogether. 

“There were long stretches where we simply couldn’t operate as normal,” said Adam. “We had to be extremely cautious about where we sailed, and, at times, make the call not to sail at all.”

Despite these challenges, GSC adapted by adjusting its programs and making the most of safe sailing periods, ensuring that participation remained strong and courses stayed at full capacity. “With all the heavy media coverage about the algal blooms, we took a heavy hit, particularly with our Learn to Sail programs,” said Spees. “But by January, when conditions improved, we were able to increase capacity by 50% and get more sailors out on the water than usual.” This flexible approach allowed the Club to maintain engagement across all programs, make up for lost opportunities, and ensure that both juniors and youth could continue developing their skills safely and confidently.

Discover more about Goolwa’s upcoming programs, events, and ways to get involved here.