Tackers - sailing fun for 7-12 year olds.

Tackers is an introductory, fun, games-based sailing program designed for kids aged 7 to 12. Kids don’t need to have any sailing experience. All the equipment, including the boats, is provided. Our leaders are nationally accredited and our Tackers kids learn to sail in the safe environment of the Maroochy River in small groups. Tackers is a national program, designed by Australian Sailing and delivered by a network of dedicated sailing clubs.

Information on Yachting Australia's Tackers program, designed for children aged 7-12 years.

A quick look at Yachting Australia's Tackers program for children aged 7-12 years

Gallery - Tackers @ Maroochy

Where does it happen?

At the Maroochy Sailing Club on Chambers Island. On the safe, beautiful waters of the Maroochy River.

More Information and Contact

When are programs run?

Tackers 1 courses are run as a four day holiday course during the school holiday week with each day including 6 hours of supervised on shore and on water learning.

Tackers 2 and 3 courses are usually offered as a 3 day course run on a Saturday or Sunday during the school term, or occasionally offered as a 3 day holiday course during the school holiday week. Tackers 2 and 3 are normally run where there is an overlap with club racing to allow for sailors to see and understand how they may progress in the future.

Introductory Tackers 1 Course

Tackers 1 is designed for children 7-12 years old who are new to the sport of sailing and wish to learn to sail with a crew.
A four day course run during school holidays. Normal timings are 9:30am - 3:30pm
This course normally has limited vacancies due to the high instructor to sailor ratio required.
Tackers 1 is an Australian sailing course run out of accredited discover sailing centres. At Maroochydore sailing Club it is facilitated by a number of Qualified instructors and Assistant Instructors to ensure the safety and wellbeing of participants.

The Registration process is through the Australian Sailing Management system. Please check the instructions and hints on the Registration pages and if facing difficulties, contact Peter — mscweb@optusnet.com.au for assistance.

Hint: First part of the Registration process is to acquire an Australian Sailing Number - Start your Registration through the Register and then the “Sign up “ Buttions . You will be registered as a “Course Participant” at the Maroochy Sailing Club. Then complete a further few details to register for the Course itself!

Sibling discount for multiple siblings from same family - use Code “sdc” during registration

Would you like to express interest in a future Tackers 1 course?

Click here to be notified of future Tackers 1 courses.

We will contact you when a future course is arranged.

Possible Course over the 2025 Easter School Holidays! (TBA)

Tackers 2 Course - Tricks & Techniques

This course is designed for children aged 8-12 years old and have completed a Tackers 1 course at a Discover Sailing Center
Tackers 2 teaches sailors how to sail solo and further develops their on-water confidence and boat handling skills.
Tackers 2 is the next step on the sailing pathway and is designed to introduce young sailors who have completed Tackers 1 to sailing on their own along with being more comfortable on the water.
Tackers 2 also builds upon the boat handling and theory skills developed in Tackers 1 to allow sailors to become more independent in rigging and planning their sail.

Enter your Name through the Expression of Interest Button below to be added to the Waiting List for future Tackers 2 Courses in 2024

Go to the Expression of Interest List for a Future Tackers 2 Course

Tackers 3 Course - Sailing Fast

Tackers 3 is designed to introduce sailors to racing.
Incorporates all the skills learnt in Tackers 1 & 2 and applies them in practical racing situations.
Focuses on how to sail faster and in a fleet
Tackers 3 is the final stage of the Tackers sailing pathway and is key in improving young sailors confidence to participate in club racing. The course is designed to incorporate the theory and practical components learnt in previous Tackers courses and how they can apply these in races or just sailing faster. Sailors will also have the chance to practice in a supported environment mock races so that if they decide to continue on their first club race isn’t as daunting.

Enter your Name through the Expression of Interest Button below to be added to the Waiting List for future Tackers 3 Courses in 2025.

Expressions of Interest for Future Tackers Courses -

If you register an Expression of Interest for one of these Tackers courses, you will be placed on a Waiting List and notified as soon as a course is arranged, before it is generally advertised. This gives you the opportunity to secure a place in an upcoming course, as most courses are booked out in a short time!

TACKERS 1 — Introductory