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Waka Confidence

About Waka Confidence

Waka Confidence is Wakatere's beginner junior sailing programme for the 8-11yr age group. Sailed in Optimist dinghies, kids learn the fundamentals of sailing in a safe and social environment.

Learning to sail will teach kids skills for life - skills like self-confidence, spatial awareness, sense of direction, weather knowledge, and responsibility. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, have fun, and forge new friendships.

Waka Confidence has 3 levels to progress through with holiday courses & clinics and term courses in the warmer months. Boats are provided by the club for Learn to Sail and Confidence 1 & 2 courses. Optimist boat ownership is encouraged beyond that. 

What are all the courses in the Waka Confidence Programme?

UPCOMING COURSE (8-11yrs)

Junior Learn to Sail - April 2025

Join our Junior LTS course this April school holiday from Tuesday 22nd to Friday 25th, 9am - 1pm daily. Sign up early to secure your spot!

FULLY BOOKED 8/04/25. Sorry you've missed out this time. Please register here, and we'll contact you when the next course is confirmed in Spring 

Course details  

COURSE FULL and closed to further signups 08/04/25 

  • DATES: Tues 22nd - Fri 25th April 2025

  • TIME: 9am-1pm each day

  • COST: $400 (incl LTS Invit Membership)

  • Club Opti provided

  • YNZ LTS Level 1

  • Qualified coaches

  • Certificate course

*Refer to the LTS Information Notes for what to bring 

LEARN TO SAIL INFORMATION

Who should sign up for a LTS course? 

To sail in Junior LTS, you must be:

  • 8yrs old at the start of the course

  • able to swim 50 metres unaided wearing a PFD (personal floating device) and sailing gear

  • English language proficiency required

As a general guideline, the recommended weight range for an Optimist dinghy is approximately 30-55 kg

What will my sailor need? 

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, alternatively, thermals and a rain jacket can be used instead.

Club pdf buoyancy vests and helmets are available if required.  

  • Wetsuit

  • Lifejacket (the club has some to borrow)

  • 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 similar (please make sure they do not have a slippery bottom)

  • Warm beanie

  • Sun hat (cap)

  • Sunscreen

  • Towel

  • Change of clothes for after sailing including a jumper

  • Water bottle

  • Snacks or bring some cash for the cafe next door

Do I need to be a member? 

Yes, you need to be a member to join a LTS course but... a LTS Invitational Membership is already included in the LTS fee.

This is a temporary membership to cover the period of your course.   

If you want to continue sailing after your LTS course has finished you can upgrade. The LTS Membership ($100) will be credited to a full membership if upgrading in the same season.

The annual club season is 1 Sept - 31 Aug. Refer to Membership

Contact wakatere@gmail.com to have the upgrade sorted for you when the time is right. 

Parent help? 

Whilst we have all the instructors and student help we need on the water, we appreciate parent help each day to bring the equipment up from the beach, hosing down and putting away

Meeting point

Sailors and parents 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.

Location

Contact

For any questions about the courses at Wakatere, contact coaching@wakatere.org.nz

For any questions about membership, contact wakatere@gmail.com

CONFIDENCE 1 and CONFIDENCE 2 will resume in TERM 4 2025

Start dates and options tbc

Term 1 2025 schedule for reference - Choose your preferred sailing day: C1 on Wednesday or Saturday, and C2 on Thursday or Saturday.

C1 course details 

CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DAY

  • C1 Wednesday Course

  • Time: 4pm-7pm

  • Dates: tbc 

  • C1 Saturday Course

  • Time: 9am-12pm every Saturday

  • Dates: tbc 

Cost: tbc
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required
Junior LTS must be completed before joining C1

TO SIGN UP: Log in to the member's platform

C2 course details

CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DAY

  • Confidence 2 Thursday Course

  • Time: 4-7pm each Thursday

  • Dates: tbc

  • Confidence 2 Saturday Course

  • Time: 1 pm - 4pm each Saturday

  • Dates: tbc

Cost: tbc
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required
A term of C1 must be completed before joining C2.

TO SIGN UP: Log in to the member's platform

Join us another time?

Missed the recent Learn to Sail courses or just a bit too young? Share your details with Wakatere Boating Club and we'll be in touch about upcoming courses.

Unsure of your sailor’s level? Email us at coaching@wakatere.org.nz

 

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