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?
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 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)
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)
Course details Â
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)
Course details
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
28-31 January (12pm-3pm except 31st)
Course details
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
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 Optis please let Helena know.
SUMMER SESSIONS
SUMMER SESSIONS details
This Clinic is for existing Opti Confidence 1 and Confidence 2 club members.
DATES: Tues 28th - Thurs 30th Jan 2025
TIME: 9am-4pm for 3 consecutive days
COST: $300
Login to the member's platform, find Tuesday 28th Jan 2025 on the booking calendar and sign up once.
CONFIDENCE 1 and CONFIDENCE 2
BACK FOR TERM 1 2025
After completing a Learn to Sail course, you can move on to weekly coaching in Confidence 1. The next step after Confidence 1 is Confidence 2.
When dates are set for TERM 1 2025 and bookings are open (not just yet...) members can log in, find your course's first date on the calendar and book once.
Any questions about which level is right for your sailor, contact us at coaching@wakatere.org.nz
C1 (TERM 1 2025)Â
Details available Jan 2025
Dates: start date to be confirmed
Time: 9am-12pm (Saturdays)
Cost: tbc
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required
CONFIDENCE 2
C2 (TERM 1 2025)
Details available Jan 2025
Time: 1pm-4pm Saturdays
Dates: start date to be confirmed
Cost: tbc
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required
LEARN TO SAIL INFORMATION
Who should sign up for a LTS course?Â
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
On the boats sailed:
we give 8-11yrs as a general guide, but the weight range for an Optimist dinghy is about 30-55kgs
What will my sailor need?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 (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?Â
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?Â
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 clearly named "Lydia's Bunker". Your coach will meet you there.
You can leave your belongings in the training room and use the club changing rooms to get ready.
Join us another time?
If you are not available for any of the dates on offer, please leave your details with us and we'll let you know when the next courses are scheduled
