Adventure brief
2 Day Teens Holiday Camp
A two-day holiday camp in Manly that teaches teens sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and SUP in a safe, social setting. Expert instructors focus on practical skills, beach trips and on-water confidence for ages 12–17.
On the northern shore of Sydney’s harbour lies Manly, New South Wales, Australia, where the 2 Day Teens Holiday Camp runs from the Ground Floor of Manly Yacht Club on East Esplanade. Designed for ages 12–17, this two-day program turns a classroom of sky and salt into a hands-on playground where sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding become tools for building confidence and seamanship. Each day opens with a safety briefing and gear check; instructors supply PFDs, boards and boats while participants bring secure footwear, a long-sleeve rash vest and a water bottle.
Activity blocks rotate through dinghies, kayaks, SUPs and windsurfers so teens can sample core paddle and sail skills. Sessions balance drills—tacking, capsize recovery, paddle stroke mechanics—with guided explorations to nearby beaches and sheltered harbour coves when conditions allow. Complementary early drop-off and staggered pickup times make the schedule family-friendly: camps run 09:30–15:00 with early care from 08:30 and late pickup available to 17:30.
What makes this program a standout is its combination of progressive instruction and social energy. Instructors focus on practical skill-building—boat handling, righting a capsized small sailboat, wind-awareness and basic rescue protocol—while layering team games and short shorebased lessons that reinforce safety and situational awareness. The learning environment is deliberately social: kids rotate partners, help de-rig equipment and learn leadership by coaching peers under staff supervision.
The setting amplifies the experience. The Manly Yacht Club launch point puts teens on the edge of both calm harbour waters and the occasional open-swell pulse of the Pacific, offering a varied classroom of sand, rock and water. Expect golden sand beaches, wharf-side rigging areas and rock shelves that shape local currents; these features teach students to read wind shadows and tidal flow in real time.
Parents appreciate clear logistics: online waiver, sign-in at the Manly Sailing office, and a supplied info sheet listing clothing and footwear. Safety is non-negotiable—PFDs are mandatory and staff will alter activities if weather makes an activity unsafe. This is an ideal program for families visiting Manly who want active summer days for teens, a chance to build nautical skills, and memories formed beyond a screen.
Whether a participant ends the camp able to tack with confidence, launch a kayak into a quiet cove, or lead a shore-side warmup, the lasting return is practical competence and new friendships forged on water. Sign-in happens at the back of the Manly Sailing office on the wharf level under Manly Yacht Club at East Esplanade; camps generally run 09:30–15:00 day with early drop-off from 08:30. The program accepts teens aged 12–17 and runs activity blocks of six hours per day, with instructors adjusting sessions around wind and tide to prioritize safety while maximizing on-water learning and exploration.
Adventure tips
Plan your experience.
Curated tips for an optimal adventure.
- 01Wear secure footwearessential
Old trainers or wetsuit booties protect feet on jetties and during rigging; crocs and thongs are not permitted.
- 02Apply reef-safe sunscreenessential
Zinc or SPF30+ applied before arrival and re-applied mid-day keeps teens protected during long on-water sessions.
- 03Label gear baginfo
Bring a clearly named, sealable bag for wet clothes—Manly Sailing stores lost property only for two weeks.
- 04Know the sign-in pointwarning
Escort your teen to the sign-in desk at the back of Manly Sailing office under Manly Yacht Club to complete the waiver.
Recommended gear
What to bring.
Long-sleeve rash vest
Sun protection and chafe prevention while wearing a PFD.
summerEssentialSecure footwear (old trainers/wetsuit booties)
Protects feet on wharves and when launching or landing crafts.
EssentialWater bottle and packed lunch
Keeps energy and hydration up during activity blocks and breaks.
EssentialDry clothes and a labeled gear bag
Essential for changing after sessions and keeping belongings identifiable.
EssentialLocal insights
Context for the journey.
Nearby secrets
Short guided paddles into nearby sheltered coves at low wind, Wharf-side spots for watching rigging and quick how-to demos
Local fauna
Silver gulls, Occasional harbour fish and reef life visible from clear-water coves
Historic heritage
Manly has a strong local sailing tradition; the Manly Yacht Club launch point has served community dinghy lessons for years.
Mindful exploration
Instructors emphasize leave-no-trace principles and use reef-safe sunscreen recommendations to reduce impact on local marine habitats.
Photography tips
Capture the moments
- Viewpoints
- From the wharf near Manly Yacht Club, Low angle from a SUP or kayak on calm water, Shoreline looking across sheltering rock shelves toward launching zones
- Subjects
- Action shots of tacks and capsizes, Close-ups of sail and rigging details, Group candid moments during de-rigging
- Best times
- Golden hour (early morning), Late afternoon, Midday for action shots
Frequently asked questions
Before you go.
What ages can join the camp?
The program is for teens aged 12–17.
Where do I sign my child in?
Sign-in is at the back of the Manly Sailing office on the wharf level beneath Manly Yacht Club on East Esplanade.
Is prior experience required?
No prior experience is required; instructors teach foundational skills but participants should be comfortable in the water.
What happens if weather is bad?
Staff will alter planned activities for safety and may shift to sheltered-water alternatives or shore-based lessons.
Are PFDs provided?
Yes—PFDs are supplied for all students; staff reserve the right to require a supplied PFD if a personal one is unsuitable.
Can I drop off early or pick up late?
Complimentary early drop-off starts at 08:30 and late pickup is available until 17:30 on camp days.