This page provides Yacht Clubs and other Yachting New Zealand affiliated organisations with information about our Instructor courses, pathways, education and development.

How do we train our Instructors?

If you have a number of people at your club who would like to become Instructors, contact Gerry at Yachting New Zealand email: gerry@yachtingnz.org.nz about organising a course.  We need a minimum of 10 people to run a course, but these don’t have to come all from the same club.  If you have a few people, other clubs near you may also have people.  We can then set a date, organise a course facilitator and advertise the course to ensure we have the minimum number required.

How old do you have to be?

To achieve the Club Instructor qualification you have to be 18 or older. However Yachting New Zealand offer an Assistant Club Instructor qualification if you are between 16 and 18 years of age.

What does it cost our members?

The Instructors Course costs $120 inc GST.  This covers all the course material and training over the course.  Some yacht clubs/organisations choose to pay for their members to complete the course.  Many clubs apply to trusts and funding organisations for assistance in this area to contribute to the cost. 

If our club hosts the course, what do we need to provide?

For the Facilitator to run the course effectively, the following resources are required:

• 1x Power boat (for on the water practical)
• 4x small buoys (for sailing practical)
• White board
• Overhead projector (if you have one)
• Tea and coffee making facilities

How do we know if our members have been accepted into the course?

Once Participants have sent in the completed application form and their payment, they will receive an acceptance letter detailing all the course information and items required for the course.  It also covers the outline of the course and what to expect.

Can we as a club do anything to get our members prepared for the course?

As there is a practical sailing and powerboat component, it is helpful if you can organise a few sessions at your club to get your members up to speed on their powerboat handling including instructing from a powerboat, picking up buoys and coming alongside another boat.  The sailing side of the course is completed in dinghies, so if your members have not sailed a small boat for some time it is important that they spend some time practicing their skills before coming on the course.

We have keen parents that we would like to get involved.  What can we do?

Yachting New Zealand have a handbook available FREE to Yacht Clubs to use as a parents introductory session, providing them with some basic knowledge of what to expect in the sport of yachting and how they can become involved.  Contact gerry@yachtingnz.org.nz  for these resources.