Opti Learn to Sail Level 1 and 2   (LTS 1&2)

Get ready to launch your child's next great adventure on the water! Our Learn to Sail (LTS) program at Maraetai Sailing Club is where kids ages 9-12 go from landlubbers to confident sailors. It’s more than just a course; it's a 10-day journey filled with fun, friends, and fantastic new skills.

Why Your Kid Will Love It

Our program turns learning into an exciting game. They'll master everything from tying the perfect knot and handling their own boat to navigating the open water. Under the expert guidance of our friendly, YNZ-qualified coaches, your child will learn to sail safely, gain a boost of confidence, and become an awesome teammate.

No experience? No problem! As long as they're water confident and can swim 25 meters in a life jacket, they're ready to set sail.

What Makes Us Special?

  • Top-Notch Coaching: We keep our groups small with a great 6:1 sailor-to-coach ratio, ensuring every child gets the personalized attention they need to thrive.

  • The Right Gear: Your sailor gets to use one of our modern Optimist dinghies for the entire course—no need to worry about bringing your own!

  • Beyond the Basics: Our course isn't just about sailing; it's about building a well-rounded skill set. They'll learn water safety, rigging their boat, and even how to handle a capsize like a pro!

  • A Family Affair: Sailing is a family sport, and our club is a true community. Parents are an important part of the day, helping with everything from launching boats to cheering on their kids. Don't worry, we'll teach you everything you need to know, and there's always time for a relaxing coffee break on the beach!

Program Details

  • Who: Kids aged 9-12

  • When: Sundays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., starting Sunday 5th October, 2025. This is a comprehensive 10-day program.

  • Where: Maraetai Sailing Club at Maraetai Beach.

  • Cost: The full package is just $495, which includes the use of a club boat, all coaching, and a junior club membership!

Sailing is a weather-dependent sport, and sometimes dates may need to be adjusted, but we'll always make up any missed sessions.

For more information, or to chat about whether our LTS Feva class might be a better fit for older or taller kids, feel free to reach out.

Ready to see your child take the helm? We can't wait to welcome you to the Maraetai Sailing Club family!

To Register Please Click Here 

Important Season Dates for LTS 1 & 2 

Pre-Season Afternoon for LTS and OptiSquad Parents, 3pm - 5pm

Our Learn to Sail Program (LTS 1&2) Commences in Sunday 5th October 2025

East Zone Series. Maraetai-  19th September- LTS Running

Labour Weekend Sailing. Sunday 26th October- No LTS, but open sailing at the club

RS Regatta - 23rd October No LTS sailing- But All hands on deck! LTS Parents required to help out at regatta.

LTS Graduation and Family Fun Day- Sunday 21st December

School Holiday Program- Starts 14th December​​​​​​​

To Register Please Click Here

A Little About Our Coaches

Our coaches are an amazing group of young coaches that are all YNZ qualified, have first aid coaching and are awesome with kids. 

As a little club we take pride in developing our young local sailors throughout their sailing journeys and they often end up coaching at the club.

Our coaches are under the guidence of experienced coaches and sailors and often are upskilled throughout the season.

Many of them have, or continue to, represent New Zealand in either sailing or participate in other outside sports, so occasionally they are off for the weekend. If this is the case we can call upon some of New Zealands best coaches to fill in for them and to coach the kids.

Club Policy with Parents & Coaches

As years of experience have shown, new sailors become more confident and learn faster when their parents are not on the water. For this reason we have a club wide policy that says when the kids are with the coaches, either on land or on water, we request parents to let the coaches do their thing and to stay away. 

There will be times when the coaches and kids will require your assistance i.e. rigging, launching and retrieving from the ramp etc.

We will go over these times at the parents introduction sessions.