Australian Sailing Tackers 1 – Having Fun

Tackers 1 – Having Fun is the first full level of Tackers, Australian Sailing's learn-to-sail program for children aged 7 to 12. It is built around games on and off the water rather than lectures, so kids pick up steering, turning and their first knots almost without noticing they are being taught. No sailing experience or club membership is needed.

Who it suits

• Children aged 7 to 12 who are new to sailing (Australian Sailing's course finder lists a minimum age of 6)
• Kids who are water confident and keen to try something new outdoors
• Children who have tried a Discover Sailing session or Tackers Intro and want more
• Families looking for a school holiday program or a regular weekly or weekend activity

For younger children, Australian Sailing also runs Little Tackers, games in the shallows for 4 to 6 year olds.

What you'll actually do

Tackers 1 has a recommended length of 20 hours, run either as a 4–5 day holiday program or as a series of sessions over several weeks. Qualified instructors run the sessions and all equipment is provided. The tone is non-competitive and social.

Kids usually start two to a boat in purpose-designed Tackers training boats, which have built-in buoyancy for extra stability. Early on the boat may be towed or paddled while they get the feel of the tiller, before sailing under their own power. By the end of the level, children should be able to:

• steer with the tiller extension while being towed or paddled
• tie a figure-eight knot and a round turn and two half hitches
• tack and gybe (Tackers calls these push and pull turns)
• reach around a figure-eight course using both turns
• sail upwind and downwind while following the safety boat

Finishing the level earns a Tackers 1 completion certificate.

Key ideas explained

• Tiller and tiller extension — the tiller moves the rudder, which steers the boat. The extension is a stick on the end of the tiller so the sailor can steer while sitting on the side, facing the sail.
• Push turn (tack) — pushing the tiller away turns the front of the boat through the wind. The sail swaps sides and the sailors move across to the new high side.
• Pull turn (gybe) — pulling the tiller towards you turns the back of the boat through the wind when sailing away from it. The boom swings across quickly, so kids learn to keep their heads low.
• Upwind, reaching and downwind — the main ways a boat sails relative to the wind: angled towards it, across it, or away from it. No sailing boat can go straight into the wind.
• Figure-eight knot — a stopper knot tied in the end of a rope so it cannot slip out through a fitting.
• Round turn and two half hitches — a secure knot for tying a rope to a ring, rail or post that is still easy to undo.

Where it fits

Tackers is broadly comparable in spirit to the early stages of the UK's RYA youth sailing scheme, though the two are not officially equivalent.

Getting ready

For parents

• What to wear — Australian Sailing says no special clothing is needed: clothes and shoes your child doesn't mind getting wet. Pack a towel and a change of clothes, plus a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle.
• Lifejackets — children wear lifejackets at all times while taking part.
• The swim check — some swimming ability is preferred rather than required. In the first session, instructors supervise the group in a 25 m swim wearing lifejackets, which also shows kids how well their lifejacket holds them up.
• Nervous kids — tell the instructors beforehand, and remind your child they will sail with a buddy in a stable boat with a safety boat nearby. Let them watch for a while if they need to; confidence usually grows quickly once the games start.
• A typical session — formats vary by club, but expect a sign-in and lifejacket fitting, a briefing or game ashore, time on the water with instructors close by, then packing up and a quick chat about what went well.
• Getting involved — kids receive honorary club membership while they take part, and parents are welcome to help in off-water roles and to talk with instructors about progress.

Questions to ask the club

• Is it a holiday block or weekly sessions, and what are the times?
• What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
• When does the next Tackers 2 run?

Good to know in Australia

Tackers runs at sailing clubs and centres around the country; you can search sessions on Australian Sailing's course finder. Sun on the water is strong even on cloudy days, so a long-sleeved rash shirt is a smart addition.