She Skipper

Port Geographe Marina sits on the edge of Geographe Bay in Western Australia, and it’s here that Adventure Sailing runs the She Skipper course — a one-day, women-only Recreational Skipper’s Ticket program that takes you from classroom revision through a written exam to hands-on boat handling and practical assessment. The format is compact: morning theory review, a midday written test, then an afternoon aboard a 5 m Quintrex training boat where instructor Em “Pups” McPherson coaches until you meet Department of Transport standards. What sets this course apart is the learning environment.

The Marina’s sheltered waters make for calm practice conditions, letting students focus on boat control, docking and safety drills without open-ocean stress. The Quintrex training boat is small but steady, chosen to mirror common recreational craft so the skills you practice translate directly to local skiffs and jet skis. Em’s patient, focused instruction is the program’s other secret weapon—she breaks complex procedures into clear checks and practical routines so candidates can pass both the 80% theory threshold and the practical assessment.

Practicalities are straightforward. Meet at Port Geographe Marina, Adventure Sailing office; park in the main marina carpark and walk to the classroom immediately behind the marina office. You will need to be at least 14.

The full day runs about 5–6 hours. Bring your ID, any required medical documentation, and be prepared to step in and out of the boat from the dock. If the eyesight test or a medical condition could affect your ability to drive, you must address that before booking.

Why book She Skipper while in the region? For visitors staying in Busselton, Dunsborough or nearby Geographe, it’s a fast, practical credential that opens the local coastline to independent exploration. It’s popular with mothers and daughters, groups of friends and newcomers who want confidence on the water without months of training. For the local outdoor scene, courses like this broaden access to Geographe Bay’s coastline by empowering more people—particularly women—to take the helm responsibly.

Expect a focused, skill-driven day rather than a sightseeing cruise. Passing gets you the Recreational Skipper’s Ticket required to drive recreational boats and jet skis in Western Australia, a small but powerful license for anyone planning to explore the bay, check out nearby islands or charter a boat. Adventure Sailing’s She Skipper turns an intimidating, licensing process into an achievable, supportive one-day experience guided by an experienced local instructor.

Classes are capped at a maximum of 8 participants to keep coaching personal, though larger private groups can be arranged by request; the operator asks you give 24 hours’ notice to reschedule, and no-shows need to rebook and pay again. If you don’t reach the required standard, re-assessment options are available.