Australian Sailing’s newest participation program has gone national, with the OutThere Sailing pilot being launched in Clubs around Australia this week.

OutThere Sailing is the perfect way to try out sailing and have fun on the water. The program is aimed at 12-17 year old teenagers who are interested in trying out sailing in a non-competitive, social setting. The program encourages teenagers to have fun, learn new skills and spend time with other likeminded teenagers in an unconventional and exciting environment.

Following a successful pilot year in Victoria funded by VicHealth, the OutThere Sailing program has now received SportAUS funding to assist in rolling the program out across Australia. As part of SportAUS’s Move It AUS Participation program, select clubs all around Australia will be delivering this fun, new alternative to traditional learn to sail programs.

Clubs are encouraged to use a variety of resources they already have to run the program. Instead of teaching traditional theory on a day with too much or too little wind, clubs can incorporate Stand Up Paddle Boards, Wind Surfers or Power Boat adventures to ensure participants get as much time out on the water as possible. Clubs are able to choose the various ways they want to deliver this program with some clubs opting for keelboat experiences whilst others focus on dinghies and windsurfers. Variety is a major factor of OutThere Sailing, for both participants and clubs.

OutThere Sailing will allow teenagers the flexibility and variety they want in a fun focused setting, whilst still providing them with important sailing skills. The key aspect of this program is to facilitate a social environment where teenagers are able to cultivate real friendships whilst igniting a love for sailing in the process.

As new Clubs come onboard, they’ll be scheduling more and more OutThere Sailing sessions on our finder – Click here to access.

The program will also have an active social media presence, follow us to get involved!

Instagram: @outthere_sailing

Facebook: OutThere Sailing

Registered Discover Sailing Centres can register to deliver the program here

Clubs can also contact their local OutThere Sailing Project Officer for more information.