What is this course?

A fun, safe introduction to dinghy sailing for children aged 6 to 14. The course is designed to help children experience sailing for the first time, learn the basics, and build confidence on and off the water.

Course purpose

• Introduce children to dinghy sailing in an enjoyable and structured way
• Teach the principles of sailing, basic boat handling, and key knots
• Give participants a clear idea of what dinghy sailing is like and how they can continue in the sport
• Encourage a healthy, outdoor activity that suits life in Malta, surrounded by the sea

What your child will learn

By the end of the course, children will be able to:

• Recognize basic parts of the boat and essential safety equipment
• Understand the wind and key sailing concepts
• Learn points of sail (how a boat sails in different wind directions)
• Practice basic maneuvers such as tacking and gybing (age and ability appropriate)
• Tie essential sailing knots (e.g., figure-of-eight, reef knot, bowline)
• Use simple sailing terminology with confidence

Daily structure (8.30am – 1.00pm)

• Arrival and kit check
• Safety briefing and plan for the day
• Land session (terminology, knots, rigging and technique practice)
• On-water session (learning skills through guided practice and games)
• Pack down and short debrief (what was learned and next steps)

Fun and activities

• Learning is delivered through a mix of coaching and games, including:
• Knot-tying challenges and sailing mini-games on land
• On-water confidence activities and skill-based challenges
• Simple routes and buoy games to practice steering and maneuvers

Who is it for?

• Complete beginners who want to try sailing for the first time
• Children who have sailed a little and want to improve
• Young sailors interested in developing towards club training and future competitive sailing

Safety and supervision

Safety is central to the programme. Sessions are adapted to weather conditions and the group’s ability level. Children will be supervised by trained instructors and supported both on land and on the water.

What to bring

• Swimwear or quick-dry sportswear
• Towel and a change of clothes
• Sun protection (hat and sunscreen)
• Water bottle and snack
• Closed-toe shoes that can get wet (e.g. swim shoes)