Level Up on the Harbour: An 8‑Week O'pen Skiff Course for Young Sailors in Manly

MANLY OTHER FIELD GUIDE

Level Up on the Harbour: An 8‑Week O'pen Skiff Course for Young Sailors in Manly

An eight-week, Level 2 after‑school or weekend program (ages 7+) that teaches the five essentials, controlled gybing and confident handling of the O'pen Skiff.

Level Up on the Harbour: An 8‑Week O'pen Skiff Course for Young Sailors in Manly.

Duration
8 week course
Location
Manly
Operator
Manly Sailing
Category
Other
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Set from the ground floor of the Manly Yacht Club on East Esplanade, this eight‑week program takes children from basics to boat‑handling confidence as they move onto the lively, performance‑oriented O'pen Skiff in a structured, safety‑first environment.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE SKILLSET

Master the Five Essentials

The course focuses on the five essentials of sailing, building a foundation of boat control, trimming, steering, balance and situational awareness to prepare kids for more challenging craft.

THE BOAT

Step Up to the O'pen Skiff

Students progress onto the O'pen Skiff — described as a more challenging, lively boat — where they practice controlled gybing and learn to manage a higher‑performance dinghy in a fun, supervised setting.

SAFETY & LOGISTICS

Structured, Safe Sessions

Term courses run weekly for eight weeks with life jackets supplied and required at all times; sessions run after school or on weekend mornings to fit family schedules.

What the day feels like

What the program feels like on the water

Sessions are coaching‑led and paced for steady progression: kids meet at the yacht club, kit up in supplied life jackets, then practice drills that scaffold the five essentials before taking those skills onto the O'pen Skiff to refine gybing and boat handling in real conditions.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this course is best for — and who should look elsewhere.

1
Young Learners (Ages 7+)Ideal for children aged 7 and up who have basic sailing experience and are ready to progress; the program is explicitly designed for this age group.
2
Beginners Ready to ProgressAppropriate for kids moving beyond introductory lessons who are ready to learn the five essentials and handle a more responsive boat.
3
After‑School FamiliesFamilies looking for an after‑school activity will find the weekday 4:00–6:15pm sessions convenient; weekend morning slots are also available.
4
Caregivers Using Subsidy VouchersRegistered Active Kids voucher holders can apply a $50 voucher toward fees using the provided promo code and submission process.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Schedule

Term‑time courses run as eight‑week programs with weekly sessions: after school (4:00pm–6:15pm) or weekend mornings (8:00am–10:15am).

What to Bring

Bring water, suitable shoes and sun‑protective clothing; life jackets are supplied and must be worn at all times — the operator provides the rest of the equipment.

Meeting Point & Pickup

Meet on the ground floor of the Manly Yacht Club on East Esplanade; a Manly Village Public School pickup is offered for Monday classes (Wednesday pickup TBC).

Payment Assistance

Manly Sailing is a registered Active Kids provider; parents can apply a $50 voucher during enrollment using the specified promo code and voucher submission process.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the course?

The course runs for eight weeks during the term.

What ages can join?

The course is intended for children aged 7 and older.

Are life jackets provided?

Yes — life jackets are supplied by the operator and are required to be worn at all times.

When are classes scheduled?

Classes are weekly for eight weeks, scheduled either after school (4:00pm–6:15pm) or on weekend mornings (8:00am–10:15am).

How do I use the Active Kids $50 voucher?

Enter the promo code and provide the voucher number and name in the box when enrolling, or send the voucher via email to [email protected]; the input lists the promo code as 'activekids' (and elsewhere as 'active kids').

Is there a school pickup?

A Manly Village Public School pickup is offered for classes on Monday; Wednesday pickup is listed as TBC.