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.

This programme is designed to balance learning with fun & games while introducing kids and families to Wakatere and what we are all about. 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?

"We recently hired Photo Bloom to take photos for our wedding. We were was so impressed with their work! They were professional, creative, and responsive to my needs. The photos they took were absolutely stunning, and we couldn't be happier with the results."

Mr & Mrs Miller

Step 1

JUNIOR LEARN TO SAIL

LTS is an introduction to sailing for beginners run during school holidays or term time. Sailed in Optimists provided by the club, sailors will learn the basics of how the wind works, parts of the boat, and how to set up and control their boat while working as a team. This is a YNZ certified Level 1 course and a step up from NZ school Waterwise.

Step 2

CONFIDENCE 1

Confidence 1 builds on skills learned in Learn to Sail and teaches sailors more techniques and knowledge. Held on Saturday mornings (9-12pm) during the school term, sailors and families are introduced to life at the club. Club Optimist dinghies are provided.

Step 3

CONFIDENCE 2

Sailors learn how to get their boats going a bit faster, and are able to go sailing in a wider range of conditions. C2 is held on Saturday afternoons (1-4pm) during the school term. This is a great opportunity to continue to build skills and boost confidence. Club Optimist dinghies are provided.

UPCOMING COURSES (8-11yrs)

LEARN TO SAIL JAN '25
SUMMER SESSIONS C1/C2 JAN '25
CONFIDENCE 1 TERM 1 '25
CONFIDENCE 2 TERM 1 '25

LEARN TO SAIL
JANUARY SCHOOL HOLIDAYS 2025

Junior Learn to Sail is returning to Wakatere for another exciting fun-filled summer with three beginner courses this January. These courses will be run as 'block courses' over 5 consecutive dates. *Exception - Course #3 will run over 4 days with differing hours.

Jan 2025 Course #1

20th-24th January (9am-12pm)

LEARN TO SAIL

Course details

Course underway.. Sign up closed 20/01/25

COURSE #1
DATES: 20th-24th Jan 2025 (5 consecutive dates)
TIME: 9am-12pm 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 at the bottom of this page for what to bring

Jan 2025 Course #2

20th-24th January (1pm-4pm)

LEARN TO SAIL

Course details

Course underway. Sign up closed

COURSE #2
DATES: 20th-24th Jan 2025 (5 consecutive dates)
TIME: 1pm - 4pm 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 at the bottom of this page for what to bring

Jan 2025 Course #3

FULL. Closed to new signups.

28-31 January (12pm-3pm except 31st)

LEARN TO SAIL

Course details

FULLY BOOKED. Closed to new sign ups

COURSE #3
DATES: 28th-31st Jan 2025 (4 consecutive dates)
TIME: 12pm - 3pm each day, 9am - 3pm on the last day
Note: this course is over 4 dates with different timing to other courses.
COST: $400 (incl LTS Invit Membership)
Club Opti provided
YNZ LTS Level 1
Qualified coaches
Certificate course

*Refer to the LTS Information Notes at the bottom of this page 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.

Wetsuit
Lifejacket (the club has some available 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

Join us another time?

If you are not available for any of the dates on offer, or a bit too young, please leave your details with us and we'll let you know when the next courses are scheduled

2025 Summer Sessions

If you were in Waka Confidence (C1 or C2) before Christmas, join your sailing buddies for some extra time on the water this January. Take advantage of the summer holidays to improve your skills and build your confidence before school goes back.

This Clinic is for Opti Confidence 1 and Confidence 2 club members.

DATES: Tues 28th - Thurs 30th Jan 2025
TIME: 9am-4pm for 3 consecutive days

Numbers are limited using Club Optis so get in quick! If you can bring your own Opti please let Helena know.

SUMMER SESSIONS

SUMMER SESSIONS details

This Clinic is for junior members in Confidence 1 and Confidence 2 pre-Christmas '24.

DATES: Tues 28th - Thurs 30th Jan 2025
TIME: 9am-4pm for 3 consecutive days
COST: $300

CONFIDENCE 1 and CONFIDENCE 2

BACK FOR TERM 1 2025

IMPORTANT: For TERM 1 2025 there are two options for Confidence 1 and two options for Confidence 2. Choose one:

C1 Wednesday or C1 Saturday
C2 Thursday or C2 Saturday

Any questions about which level is right for your sailor, contact us at coaching@wakatere.org.nz

C1 WEDNESDAY

C1 Wednesday details

C1 Wednesday Course
Time: 4pm-7pm
Dates: Wednesday 12th February, 19th, 26th; March 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th; April 2nd
Cost: $370
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required

C1 SATURDAY

C1 Saturday details

C1 Saturday Course
Time: 9am-12pm every Saturday
Dates: February 15th, 22nd, March 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, April 5th.
Cost: $370
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required

C2 THURSDAY

C2 Thursday details

Confidence 2 Thursday Course
Time: 4-7pm each Thursday
Dates: February 13th, 20th, 27th; March 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th; April 3rd.
Cost: $370
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required