Waka Adults
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? Waka Adults is our adult learn to sail programme. If you've got a little sense of adventure, sailing would be great for you. We sail in pairs, so it's a fun way to meet new people while getting out on the water.
Wakatere offers courses for adults using the club-owned RS Quest & RS Feva dinghies, which accommodate either 2, or 3 to 4 people. You'll learn about both helm and crew positions. Coaches can pair up sailing partners.
We offer a Level 1 course for complete beginners and a Level 2 course for those looking to build confidence. For 2025 we will split the Level 2 & 3 groups into separate courses to better manage the different skill levels.
Upcoming sailing courses (ages 18 and above)
SUMMER 2025
We have 4 courses on offer for the ADULT group to either take the first steps to learn to sail or the next steps to build skills and confidence this summer. Level 2 and Level 3 will run as separate courses for 2025.
ADULT LTS LEVEL 1 - January 2025
Take advantage of our long summer evenings and informal work hours in January and LEARN TO SAIL. This course is for complete beginners covering the basics like rigging, tacking, points of sail, launching and landing and how to stay safe.
Held over 4 consecutive summer evenings in late January. Sailed in the club-owned two-person RS Feva and 4-person RS Quest. More details below.
Course details
ADULT LTS LEVEL 1
DATES: Tues 28th - Fri 31st Jan 2025
TIME: 4pm - 7pm for 4 consecutive afternoons
COST: $350 ($250 course + $100 LTS Invitational Membership)
Boats provided (RS Feva & RS Quest)
YNZ qualified coaches
YNZ Level 1 certified course
*This course is more affordable than our term courses due to the reduced hours. Please proceed to the booking for the January 2025 fee.
*Refer to the FAQ below for what to bring
ADULT LTS LEVEL 1 - Mar/Apr 2025
The LEVEL 1 course is for complete beginners to learn the fundamental basics of sailing like rigging, tacking, points of sail, launching and landing and how to stay safe - essential skills to progress from.
This course will run over 5 Saturday mornings using the club's two-person RS Feva and 4-person RS Quest. You will learn both helm & crew positions in a fun & social environment. More details below.
Course details
ADULT LTS LEVEL 1
DATES: 8th Mar-5th April 2025 (5 consecutive Saturdays)
SAVE DATE: 12th April
TIME: 9am - 12pm each day
COST: $400 (Includes LTS Invit Membership)
Boats provided (RS Feva & RS Quest)
YNZ qualified coaches
*Refer to the FAQ below for what to bring
ADULT LTS LEVEL 2 - Mar/Apr 2025
The LEVEL 2 course builds on fundamental skills and confidence while learning to keep the boat balanced and going faster. It will introduce new techniques and foster greater independence.
The course will run over 5 Saturday afternoons using the Club's 4-person RS Quest and 2-person RS Feva fleet. Level 2 sailors must have completed Level 1. More details below
LEVEL 2
Course detailsÂ
ADULT LTS Level 2
DATES: 8th March-5th April 2025 (5 consecutive Saturdays)
SAVE DATE: 12th April
TIME: 1pm - 4pm each day
COST: $400 (Includes LTS Invit Membership)
Boats provided (RS Feva & RS Quest)
YNZ qualified coaches
*Refer to the FAQ below for what to bring
ADULT LTS LEVEL 3 - Feb/Mar 2025
The LEVEL 3 course will take your skills to the next level for improved boat control, and enhanced speed. It will cover race techniques, tactics and the use of spinnakers sailing the Club's RS Quest & RS Fevas.
The course will run over 5 Friday evenings. To enrol as a Level 3 sailor, you must have completed Level 2 or be able to demonstrate capable skills in sailing. More details below.
LEVEL 3
Course detailsÂ
ADULT LTS Level 3 only
DATES: Friday 28th February, 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th March 2025. SAVE DATE 4th April
TIME: 4 - 7pm each day
COST: $400 (Includes LTS Invit Membership)
Boats provided (RS Feva & RS Quest)
YNZ qualified coaches
*Refer to the FAQ below for what to bring
FAQ
Who should sign up for a course?Â
To sail in Adult LTS, you must be:
able to swim 50 metres unaided wearing a PFD (personal floating device) and sailing gear
of reasonable fitness
18yrs and over
have English language proficiency
Level 1 or Level 2 or 3?Â
Level 1 is designed for complete beginners and covers basics about how to control the boat & sails and how to stay safe on the water.
Level 2 builds skills like keeping the boat balanced and how to go faster, as well as an introduction to racing. Sailors are encouraged to attend social sailing on Thursdays and Green fleet club racing on Sunday afternoons to reinforce their learnings.
Level 3 continues building skills for improved boat control, and enhanced speed. It will cover race techniques, tactics and the use of spinnakers sailing the Club's RS Quest & RS Fevas.
Sailors with full membership are encouraged to attend social sailing on Thursdays & Green fleet club racing on Sunday afternoons to reinforce learnings.
Sailors must complete Level 1 before starting Level 2 and Level 2 before starting Level 3.
If you have recent sailing experience, contact our coaching team at Wakatere to assess where your skills are at.
Do I need to be a member?Â
Yes, membership is required.
A Learn to Sail Invitational membership ($100) is already included in the total course fee. This is a temporary membership to cover the period of the LTS course and is offered for both L1 & L2 & L3.
Ready for another Adult LTS? If want to continue beyond Level 1 to Levels 2 & 3 in the same season, a new LTS Invitational membership must be taken out each time.
Ready for Club Racing or Social Sailing?
If you want to continue to club racing, or social sailing after your LTS course has finished you can upgrade to a full membership (Senior). The LTS Membership ($100) will be credited to a full membership if upgrading in the same season. It can't be applied to a second LTS Invitational membership.
What will I need for the course?Â
Note that some of the gear listed below is optional and depends on the weather and how much sailors feel the cold. For instance, a wetsuit can provide warmth, or alternatively, thermals and a rain jacket can be used instead.
Wetsuit
Lifejacket (if required, club PFD vests provided)
Polyprop top/rash vest top or similar (thermals)
Togs
Light wind jacket or spray top (goes over the top to keep the wind out)
Beach shoes or old sneakers (please make sure they do not have a slippery bottom)
Warm beanie
Sun cap
Sunscreen
Towel
Change of clothes for after sailing including a jumper
Water bottle
Snacks or use the cafe next door
Meeting pointÂ
Sailors should gather at the back of the Wakatere clubrooms. This is our compound area for boat storage and sailing gear.
Head to the training room with the glass doors. Your coach will meet you there.
You can leave your belongings in the training room and use the club changing rooms to get ready.
I have a question about the course...
Contact: coaching@wakatere.org.nz
Social Sailing & Green Fleet
Level 2 & Level 3 sailors with full membership are encouraged to attend club Social Sailing on Thursday afternoons & club Green fleet racing on Sunday afternoons to reinforce their learnings. Full members can charter club Fevas for Social Sailing sessions per the club calendar.
More about booking a Feva below
Join us another time!
If you're keen on a course at another time, register your interest and we will be in touch when future course dates are confirmed.
Booking a Feva
Wakatere with a full membership can charter RS Fevas to join Social Sailing on Thursdays or Sunday afternoon club racing. (Sept-May per the club calendar)
Minimum Adult LTS Level 2 skills are required. Both helm & crew must be full members.
Members must sign into our booking platform -
Sign in to HELLO CLUB
Go to the Hello Club CALENDAR
Find the right date and sign up
Pay via the booking
All bookings are subject to the final approval of the Head Coach. Further T&Cs can be found in the booking details. Charter fees do not include any coaching or race entry fee.
Club Fevas are not available for casual sailing outside of coach-supported club activities.
