Sydney Flying Squadron Australia's oldest open boat sailing club, est. 1891

Try sailing an 18-footer

You can sail three times before joining, so you can see if you love these boats before committing to anything.

You must be able to swim. Sailing experience is not essential, and age is not an issue: our sailors range from teenagers to an octogenarian. We provide the training, and we have spare wetsuits for your first day.

If you would like to try sailing 18-footers, we would love you to come along. We will pair you with someone who takes you through the day and shows you what you need to know: rigging the boat on the park, launching down the ramp, the race, and the barbecue afterwards.

Sail Back in Time, the club's training programme

Sail Back in Time is a three-day training programme over three weekends that teaches everyone, from people who have never sailed before to experienced sailors, how to sail historic 18-footers. Once you complete the course, we find you a spot on one of the boats for the season.

What the day looks like

Come down to the club around 11am and ask for the person who spoke with you. You help rig the boat, the fleet launches around 1:30pm, racing starts about 2:15pm, and everyone is back, de-rigged and showered for a drink, the barbecue and the presentation by 6pm.

What to wear

Most sailors wear a wetsuit, wetsuit boots, a hat and lots of sunscreen. When an 18 capsizes, and it usually happens once or twice a season, you may be in the water for a while, so the right gear matters. For your first day, our spare wetsuits and a pair of old sneakers will do. Put a strap on your sunglasses and leave the expensive pair at home.

Places are real places

Try sailing: season opening Saturdays. The fleet can absorb six to eight newcomers on a race day. Capacity is real: the club would rather sail you properly than book you and disappoint you. Dates pending

Sail Back in Time training programme. Programme capacity follows boat availability. Dates and places are confirmed by the club before the season. Dates pending

Start here

The Sydney Flying Squadron Ltd collects your name, email address and swimming confirmation to arrange your first sail. Your details go to the club's new sailor contact, are used only to organise your sailing, and are not added to any mailing list. You can ask the club to correct or delete them at any time.

Your enquiry goes to the club's new sailor contact, a named role, not a general inbox. Expect a reply within two business days, by a named contact.

Sailed skiffs before?

If you have raced skiffs and want back on the water, you do not need the beginner's path: the returning sailors page is written for you, and you do not need to own a boat.