Discover Sailing and the Australian Sailing ‘learn to’ initiatives are crucial in providing people of all abilities the chance to try sailing. As part of Discover Sailing Month here at Australian Sailing, we will be showcasing clubs and Discover Sailing Centres that are holding Discover Sailing Days around the country, highlighting the benefits of organising and attending a Discover Sailing Day and attending a Discover Sailing Centre to learn how to sail.   

Portarlington Sailing Club (PSC) is a friendly and welcoming club and accredited Discover Sailing Centre that offers numerous learn to sail courses throughout the season.  

PSC is no stranger to Discover Sailing Days having held them for many years. In the Summer of 2022, PSC ran a program for four consecutive weeks and as a result, saw a rise in participation with roughly a 10-15% interest in active memberships. Due to this, the club continued to hold Discover Sailing Days multiple times throughout the season. 

The club's instructors and assistant instructors organise a plan for the day based on registration information, participant numbers, participant experience and capabilities. Participants register via the club’s website to allow for this pre-organisation to occur. PSC said, support from the club’s members and access to training equipment and resources are also vital to the successful organisation and running of the day.  

PSC will be hosting Discover Sailing Days on the first Sunday of each month. Participants can register online here for an opportunity to give sailing a go in one of their club Dinghies. For participants interested in further sailing learning experiences, PSC will also be running a Junior Sailing Green Fleet course, alongside other adult sailing experiences this year. More information can be found here. 

Discover Sailing Days are promoted through the club’s website and social media platforms, as well as through logging the events on revSPORT. PSC noted that their Discover Sailing Days this year were “fairly easy to organise”. Logistical preparations such as online registration processes, follow-up emails, and online forms were easy to continue to use once created by the club’s committee. “The support of the PSC members makes the day successful.” 

PSC noted, “Discover Sailing Days are important to Portarlington Sailing Club as it grows the club's membership registrations, as well as enabling the club to connect with the local community.  

“It also bonds existing club members as everyone works to support and assist participants on the day, ensuring a positive sailing and club experience at the end of the day.”  

To find a course or Discover Sailing Day near you, click here.