Located at Oyster Cove Marina in southern Tasmania, Kettering Yacht Club has long been a hub for sailing and community connection. Established in 1995, the club took the next step in its participation journey with the establishment of its Discover Sailing Centre in 2025, creating new opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to get involved in the sport. 

The Discover Sailing Centre was developed to support the club’s vision of engaging its local community and youth while providing pathways into sailing as a lifelong sport and recreational pursuit. Operating through Discover Sailing Days and two-day Start Crewing courses, the centre is already making a significant impact in a relatively short period of time. 

Although still in its early stages, demand has continued to grow steadily. Three two-day Start Crewing courses have already introduced more than 12 participants to keelboat sailing, with strong interest emerging for future programs. 

One of the most encouraging outcomes has been the diversity of participants taking part. The courses have attracted an even gender balance, while many attendees have been people who recently moved to southern Tasmania and had never sailed before. Just as importantly, the club is beginning to see participants transition from Discover Sailing courses into Kettering Yacht Club membership, creating a clear pathway from first-time sailor to active club member. 

The club plans to expand its Discover Sailing activities throughout winter and beyond, building on the momentum already generated. A key focus has been providing a pathway for youth sailors to progress from off-the-beach dinghy classes into keelboats, helping young sailors remain engaged in the sport as they develop new skills and interests. At the same time, the programs continue to demonstrate that sailing is accessible to anyone, regardless of age or previous experience. 

Supporting this transition is a strong emphasis on welcoming and retaining new participants. Kettering Yacht Club has established a dedicated new member liaison role to help introduce newcomers to the club environment and support their ongoing involvement. A crew matching service also helps place sailors onto keelboats quickly while ensuring skill levels, expectations and crew dynamics are aligned to create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved. 

The club is further strengthening its participation pathways through the refurbishment of a donated Flying 15. The project will provide youth sailors and newcomers with opportunities to develop fundamental sailing skills and knowledge before progressing to more advanced and exciting sailing experiences. 

Adding to the club’s unique character is its connection to the Derwent Class Association. Kettering Yacht Club is home to a dedicated division of these locally designed and built wooden keelboats, preserving an important piece of Tasmanian sailing heritage while providing members with another avenue to get involved on the water. 

Just over a year into its Discover Sailing Centre journey, the club has refined its processes and expanded its capability. The program is now supported by three instructors, several assistants and a dedicated Discover Sailing Principal, ensuring activities are delivered professionally while maintaining a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere. 

As a small regional club, Kettering Yacht Club sees significant opportunity to continue growing participation and supporting the transition from beginner sailors to regular social and recreational sailors. The club’s strong community connections, flexible approach and vibrant membership base have all contributed to its early success. 

For Kettering Yacht Club, the greatest achievement has been the combination of community engagement, gender balance, youth participation and the successful conversion of Discover Sailing participants into club members. Together, these outcomes are helping build a stronger sailing community and ensuring more people can discover the lifelong enjoyment of being on the water. 

With growing demand, a clear pathway for participation and a strong focus on community, Kettering Yacht Club’s Discover Sailing Centre is creating lasting opportunities for sailors at every stage of their journey.