HBYC Sailing Training Program

The Program

The Hout Bay Yacht Club Sailing School offers students of all ages sailing lessons on a variety of different boats. The school has a good fleet of boats available for students to learn how to sail from beginner level up to advanced. We cater for all ages however find that youngest age starting is 7 years.

Sailing lessons may be offered privately with a one-on-one lesson, Family & group lessons as well school holiday camps. Lessons are typically 2 hours in length which includes briefings, rigging and de-rigging. The club aims to provide a minimum 2 hours per lesson and lessons may sometimes exceed this depending on conditions on the day.

Private & group Lessons may be booked throughout the week Monday – Friday and with special arrangement, Weekends and public holidays.  Lessons may be booked anytime from 10am up to 15:30 pm. Lessons starting at 15:30pm typically finish around 5pm.

School Group lessons will accommodate up to 10 students.  Llandudno Primary as secured a slot on Friday afternoons from 3:30 to 5:30pm and there is still space left.

The club is happy to align group sailing lessons with local schools as an extra mural activity.

Safety On The Water

 

  • Life jackets will be supplied and are compulsory to wear when on the water.
  • Wetsuits (small, medium & large) are available, however they are limited at the moment and we do recommend to bring your own if you have.
  • Safety support boats are available.
  • Students are briefed about safety on the water.
  • Sailing lessons initially take place in the safety of the harbour, close to the club marina and only once students are ready and feel comfortable will lessons take place in the bay if conditions are suitable.
  • Sailing in the marina or bay will not take place if the weather conditions are deemed not suitable or unsafe, in this case a theory lesson will be provided or where possible & practical the lesson(s) may be rescheduled.

The Venue

Sailing lessons are held at the Hout Bay Yacht Club and students are asked to meet up at the main club house in the harbour. Parents & Family are welcome to make use of the club house facilities while their kids are out sailing.

To arrange a booking or request further information please contact our sailing coach Howard Leoto on sailingschool@hbyc.co.za and 0684676648  or our Vice Commodore for Sailing & Watersports at vcsailing@hbyc.co.za or 0768620360


Weather Conditions

HBYC Sailing school Dinghies available for students

Depending on the skill and confidence of the student, they may be able to progress to a more advanced boat at an earlier age too.

O9er and Optimist 

  • The Optimist and O9ers are a small, single-handed sailing dinghy intended for use students people up to the age of 15 and is one of the two most popular sailing dinghies in the world.
  • Students from ages 6yrs to 15yrs may learn to sail on both 09er and Optimist.
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Laser Pico’s 

  • The Laser Pico dinghy is a small sailboat used primarily for training and day sailing. It can be sailed by one or two children or an adults.
  • Ideal for students from 8 years until 18 years learn to sail
  • The club has 4 Picos availble to sail.
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Laser Vago

  • This is a more advanced boat that can be sailed with two people and includes a trapeze for the crew.
  • Ideal for kids and adults from 12 years until 21 years for more intermediate to advanced sailing.
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Dabchick

This is used for advanced sailing lessons and has a main sail and jib, normally sailed by one student. It can be sailed from ages around 12yrs until 21yrs

420

  • This is an international sailing dinghy and popular for racing and teaching. The 420 also has a spinnaker and trapeze adding to more fun and excitement on the water.
  • Ideally this is for advance sailing anywhere from 12 years upwards.

Keelboat Sailing

The club currently has two small keelboats for sailing and racing which students may also use to learn on too. Sailing lessons are currently offered on the Hunter 19 which is also available to rent out to members and non-members who have sufficient sailing experience.

Hunter 19 Keelboat

  • The club has a 19 Foot keelboat that is perfect for students of all ages to experience sailing on a larger boat. A boat of this size is great for teenagers and adults to learn how to sail too. There is enough space for parents to take their children sailing too which makes it ideal for a Family sail and adventure in the bay. Some kids from 5 years old have joined their parents for some fun racing too.
  • The Hunter can be sailed & raced either single handed or with 2 onboard. Up to 4 people may comfortable sail & cruise on a hunter in light wind conditions, although ideally better suited for 2 adults and 2 kids if there are 4 onboard.

There are over 30 Hunter 19’s in the marina which makes for great social sailing as well as some good competitive class racing too.

There is fun racing for the hunters and keelboats every Saturday at 2:30pm throughout the year and on Wednesday evenings starting 6pm during the summer periods.

L26

  • The L26 is a 26 Foot racing keelboat ideal for advanced students to learn how to race on larger keelboats. Currently the club has one in the fleet, however there are plans to expand and get a second one for match racing.

HBYC Sailing Training Program Registration and Indemnity