Waka Adventure

About Waka Adventure

Wakatere's Adventure programme is perfect for youth aged 12-17, offering fun, friendship, and skill-building. Sailors learn to sail in stages using RS Quest and Feva dinghies. The programme also focuses on socialising, whether sailing or chatting with mates. Join us to explore sailing and become part of our vibrant club community.

The first step is a Youth Waka Fun course to learn the basics. followed by weekly coaching on Sundays during the school Term in Adventure to build skills and confidence. For all courses, boats are provided by the club.

UPCOMING COURSES (12-17yrs)

October 2026

YOUTH WAKA FUN
OCT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS

5th-8th October 2026

Youth Waka Fun is your teen‑friendly intro to sailing - fast, social, and confidence‑building. Sailing in RS Quests and RS Fevas, sailors learn the basics of rigging, steering, and teamwork while getting out on the water with new friends.

This holiday course is a fun, all‑weather mix of on‑water adventures and engaging shore activities that keeps the energy high every day. No experience needed - just bring a sense of adventure.

YOUTH WAKA FUN - Oct 2026

YOUTH WAKA FUN details

DATES: 5th - 8th Oct 2026
TIME: 9am-3pm for 4 consecutive days
COST: $445
Club boats provided
Qualified instructor
Life jackets & helmets provided

*Refer to the LTS Information Notes on this page for what to bring

Youth Waka Fun Notes

Who should sign up for this course?

To join a Youth Waka Fun course, sailors must:

be able to swim 50 metres unaided wearing a PFD (personal floating device) and sailing gear
Have English language proficiency

Do I need to be a member?

Yes, membership is required. However, an Invitational Membership is already part of the total course fee. It is a temporary membership to cover the period of your course.

If you want to continue sailing after your Youth Waka Fun course has finished, you can upgrade. The Invitational Membership ($50) will be credited to a full membership if upgrading in the same season.

What do I need to bring for this course?

Note that some of the gear listed below is optional and depends on the weather and how much sailors feel the cold. For instance, a wetsuit can provide warmth, or alternatively, thermals and a rain jacket can be used instead.

Wetsuit
Lifejacket (the club has some available to borrow)
Polyprop top/rash vest top or similar (thermals)
Togs
Light wind jacket or spray top (goes over the top to keep the wind out)
Beach shoes or old sneakers (please make sure they do not have a slippery bottom)
Warm beanie
Sun cap
Sunscreen
Towel, change of clothes for after sailing including a jumper
Water bottle
Snacks or use the cafe next door

Parent help

Whilst we have all the instructors and student help we need on the water, we welcome parent help each day to bring the equipment up from the beach, hosing down and putting away. Thank you!

Meeting point

Sailors should gather at the back of the Wakatere clubrooms. This is our compound area for boat storage and sailing gear.

Head to the training room with the glass doors. Your coach will meet you there.

You can leave your belongings in the training room and use the club changing rooms to get ready.

Contact

For any questions about the courses at Wakatere, contact coaching@wakatere.org.nz

For any questions about membership, contact wakatere@gmail.com

Join us another time?

Missed the last course or not ready to join? Leave your details, and we’ll notify you when the next course opens. Register your interest - demand helps us build more courses.

ADVENTURE
TERM 4 2026

Oct-Dec 2026

Adventure caters to the 12-17-year age group, sailing the club RS Fevas & RS Quest to build sailing skills and confidence in a fun and social environment.

Term 4 2026 will run on Sunday mornings from October through to December.

ADVENTURE - TERM 4 2026

ADVENTURE details

TIME: 9am-12pm each Sunday
DATES: 18th Oct - 13th Dec, excluding Labour Day weekend.
COST: $400
Boats provided
Qualified coaches
Full club membership required

To sign up, log in to our members' booking platform. Find the first date of the course and book once for the whole series.

NOTE: Before jumping aboard Adventure, please ensure you’ve completed a Learn to Sail or Waka Fun course or can show proven sailing experience.

What Courses are in the Waka Adventure Programme?

Step 1

YOUTH WAKA FUN

This is an introduction to sailing for beginners in the teenage 12-17 yrs age group run during school holidays. Sailed in RS Feva and RS Quest dinghies provided by the club, sailors will learn the basics of how to set up and control their boats while working as a team.

An Invitational membership is offered to cover the period of the course and is included in the total fee advertised.

Step 2

ADVENTURE is held on Sunday mornings for the 2026/27 season. After learning the basics in Waka Fun, sailors build their knowledge to include how to use a spinnaker, safety and geography of the bay for destination sails, and how to communicate better with their skipper/crew.

Full membership is required.

Step 3

YOUTH RS RACE

This final stage in the Waka Adventure programme allows sailors to continue their RS Quest and RS Feva learning in a youth development race group. This will introduce sailors to techniques such as starts and mark roundings, improved boat control, enhanced speed, and competitive strategies in an easy and fun way. Clinics TBA