OutTHERE Sailing Program
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| FIND A CLUB | COURSES | FOR CLUBS & CENTRES |
Have fun. Make friends. Find your next adventure.OutThere Sailing is Australian Sailing's program for 12–17 year olds who want to try sailing in a non-competitive, social and fun setting — leave your homework onshore. Whether you've never sailed before or you've already done Tackers or a school program, OutThere Sailing gets you out on the water with your friends, trying everything from dinghies and keelboats to windsurfers, stand up paddleboards and powerboats. There's no pressure to race and no experience required. |
No matter where you're starting, there's a place for you in OutThere Sailing.
Your OutThere journey starts here
OutThere Sailing keeps friends together as they progress, so you and your mates can move through the program side by side.
All you need to decide is dinghy or keelboat — we've got the rest covered!
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Dinghy small, light, tips over (a lot). You are the ballast. Lean out, hike hard, and hold your line. Simple, exciting, and the best classroom on water. |
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Keelboat bigger, heavier, and basically refuses to tip over thanks to a big weighted keel underneath. More crew, more rope, more teamwork on deck. |
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Your first taste of on-water fun, sailing alongside your friends. |
Build your skills and confidence out on the water with friends. |
Sharpen your skills and take on new challenges with your crew. |
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Not ready to commit? |
Want to try them all? |
| You don't need to pick one boat type and stick with it — centres run OutThere Sailing using dinghies, keelboats, windsurfers, SUPs and powerboats, so you can try a bit of everything. |
Why join OutThere Sailing?
OutThere Sailing is about more than learning to sail — it's about spending time with friends, trying something new, and being part of a club community without the pressure of competition.
You'll pick up genuine, transferable sailing skills — helming, crewing, boat handling — while getting to try a range of watercraft your centre has on offer. Many OutThere sailors go on to discover a real love of the sport, whether that leads to club racing, further training, or simply more time out on the water with mates.
It's social, it's varied, and it's run by instructors who are just as passionate about the fun of sailing as they are about the sport itself.
Learn with Australian Sailing
OutThere Sailing is delivered by qualified Australian Sailing Instructors at accredited Discover Sailing Centres nationwide.
Instructors are trained to create an inclusive, supportive environment where the focus stays on fun, friendship and confidence-building on the water — not competition.
Keep sailing
OutThere Sailing is just the beginning.
From here, you can keep progressing through OutThere Sailing 2 and beyond, join your local club's junior or youth squad, or explore other Australian Sailing programs like Dinghy, Windsurfing or Powerboat.Younext adventure starts on the water.
| Frequently Asked Questions |
Got questions about OutThere Sailing? Here's everything parents and guardians need to know before getting started.
No experience needed at all.
OutThere Sailing is designed for complete beginners as well as anyone who's done a bit of Tackers or a school program before. You'll be looked after either way.
OutThere Sailing is for 12–17 year olds. Some centres split sessions by age (12–14 and 15–17) so you're grouped with people your own age.
No — you don't need to be a member of a club to take part in an OutThere Sailing program.
Depending on what your centre offers, you might try dinghy sailing, keelboat sailing, windsurfing, stand up paddleboarding, or powerboating. It's varied on purpose — the idea is to try a few things, not master one straight away.
Not at all. OutThere Sailing is a non-competitive, social program — it's about having fun and spending time with friends, not racing or performance.
Clothes you don't mind getting wet (bathers or exercise gear, avoid cotton), a towel, closed-toe shoes that can get wet, a change of clothes, a hat, a water bottle, and a snack. If you have them, a wetsuit, sailing gloves, and a windproof/waterproof jacket are handy too.
Yes. All instructors hold current Australian Sailing qualifications, along with first aid and Working With Children checks. Life jackets (PFDs) are provided
Yes — the program is specifically designed to keep friends together as you progress, so you and your mates can move through the levels side by side.
Use the Australian Sailing course finder to search for OutThere Sailing sessions at your nearest Discover Sailing Centre.
You can progress through OutThere Sailing 1, 2 and 3, join your local club's junior or youth squad, or move into other Australian Sailing programs like Dinghy, Windsurfing, or Powerboat.
