NSC Sailing School - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the refund policy?
  

  An administration fee of $50 will be charged for all cancellations. For cancellation notices received within 3 weeks of course date, a refund (minus admin. fee) will be given when that position is filled and paid by another student.

• What ages are the kids?
  

  The minimum age for sailing school is 8. White Sail 1&2 is open to students ages 8-15, surf&sail and Bronze are for students aged 13-18. White Sail 3 is open for kids 8-18. Anyone over 15 wishing to start sailing must register in adult White Sail 1&2.

• What times does the school run?
  

  School goes from 9am - 4pm. Kids can be dropped off as early as 8:30am and must be picked up by 4:30pm. If parents cannot pick their children up by 4:30 then they can register for after sail which goes from 4-6pm.

• What to bring?
  

  Students need to bring their own lunch. They need a change of clothes because they will get wet every day. It is important to dress for the weather. A bathing suit is a good idea for most days. In the boats kids must wear closed toed shoes. No sandals allowed. Old running shoes or water shoes are perfect. Sandals are great for on land. We provide life jackets but if kids have their own then they should bring it. Make sure they put their name on it.

• What is a typical day?
  

  Most days we try to get the kids sailing for 1-1.5 hrs. in the morning and again in the afternoon. When kids arrive in the morning they rig the boats and do a lesson then they go out sailing. They get 1 hour for lunch every day. In the afternoons they go out sailing again then derig the boats before going home. Throughout the day kids also play games and go swimming.

• What about bad weather?
  

  If we cannot go sailing but we can still be outside (ie.too windy or not enough wind) then we try to do other outdoor activities and may go to Andrew Haydon Park. We also do theory lessons. If it is rainy and we can't go outside then we'll do theory lessons and probably watch a movie.

• What is the opti race program?
  

  The opti race camp is designed to introduce kids to sailboat racing. It is not a level. Students work on improving their sailing as well as learn racing tactics and regatta preparation. Students must have completed white sail 2 and must be under 15 yrs.

• My child passed WS1 last year, do they have to repeat WS1/2 course?
  

  If your child was part of Nepean Sailing Club Sail training last year, they would have been taught WS1 and 2 combined last year. As we have an above 95% pass rate for WS1 and 2, in all likelyhood your child passed both WS1 and WS2, which should be indicated on your certificate. Therefore, your child should be skilled enough to enter WS3, assuming they meet the weight and age requirements for the Club 420 boats.

• Why is Bronze 4 and 5 offered as a combined course?
  

  We found over time, that there was insufficient time for students to master Bronze 4 skills in two weeks. As Bronze 4 and 5 are complementary coures offering Bronze 4 and 5 together, allowed sufficient on water time to master both skills successfully, whereas offering them as separate courses would not have given sufficient on water time to master either in one course.