Waka Confidence
About Waka Confidence
Waka Confidence is Wakatere's beginner junior sailing programme for the 8-11 year age group. Sailed in Optimist dinghies, kids learn the fundamentals of sailing in a safe and social environment.
Learning to sail will teach kids skills for life - skills like self-confidence, spatial awareness, sense of direction, weather knowledge, and responsibility. It's a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, have fun, and forge new friendships.
Waka Confidence has 3 levels to progress through from Learn to Sail > Confidence 1 > Confidence 2. Boats are provided by the club for LTS and C1 & C2 courses. Optimist boat ownership is encouraged beyond that.
UPCOMING COURSE (8-11yrs)
CONFIDENCE 1 and CONFIDENCE 2 - TERM 4 2025 -
starts Saturday 11th October
C1 course detailsÂ
C1 Saturday
Time: 9am -12pm
Dates: starts 11th Oct - every Sat through to Dec 6th *excluding Labour Day weekend . Save date Sat 13th Dec.
Cost: $390
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required
Junior LTS must be completed before joining C1
TO SIGN UP: Log in to the member's platform
C2 course details
***C2 Saturday is fully booked 04/10/25
Confidence 2
Time: 1pm - 4pm
Dates: starts 11th Oct and runs every Saturday through to Dec 6th. (*excluding Labour Day weekend ) . Save date Sat 13th Dec.
Cost: $390
Club Opti provided
Qualified coaches
Full membership required
A term of C1 must be completed before joining C2.
TO SIGN UP: Log in to the member's platform
JUNIOR LEARN TO SAIL - SUMMER 2026
LTS will be back for the January school holidays with several courses for the 8- 11-year age group. Designed to introduce young sailors to the fundamentals of sailing in a safe, social, and confidence-building environment.
Leave your details with us and we will let you know the minute that dates are confirmed and bookings are open.
LEARN TO SAIL INFORMATION
Who should sign up for a LTS course?Â
To sail in Junior LTS, you must be:
8yrs old at the start of the course
able to swim 50 metres unaided wearing a PFD (personal floating device) and sailing gear
English language proficiency required
As a general guideline, the recommended weight range for an Optimist dinghy is approximately 30-55 kg
What will my sailor need?Â
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, alternatively, thermals and a rain jacket can be used instead.
Club pdf buoyancy vests and helmets are available if required.
Wetsuit
Lifejacket (the club has some 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 similar (please make sure they do not have a slippery bottom)
Warm beanie
Sun hat (cap)
Sunscreen
Towel
Change of clothes for after sailing including a jumper
Water bottle
Snacks or bring some cash for the cafe next door
Do I need to be a member?Â
Yes, you need to be a member to join a LTS course but... a LTS Invitational Membership is already included in the LTS fee.
This is a temporary membership to cover the period of your course.
If you want to continue sailing after your LTS course has finished you can upgrade. The LTS Membership ($100) will be credited to a full membership if upgrading in the same season.
The annual club season is 1 Sept - 31 Aug. Refer to Membership
Contact wakatere@gmail.com to have the upgrade sorted for you when the time is right.
Parent help?Â
Whilst we have all the instructors and student help we need on the water, we appreciate parent help each day to bring the equipment up from the beach, hosing down and putting away
Meeting point
Sailors and parents 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
SUMMER 2026 COURSE DETAILS
Several block courses (4–5 days) will run mid to late January 2026. Dates TBC. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST and we’ll be in touch!
DATES: tbc
TIME: tbc
COST: $400 (incl LTS Invit Membership)
Club Opti provided
YNZ LTS Level 1
Qualified coaches
Certificate course
*Refer to the LTS Information for what my sailor will need to bring
What are all the courses in the Waka Confidence Programme?
Step 1
JUNIOR LEARN TO SAIL
LTS is an introduction to sailing for beginners run during school holidays or term time. Sailed in Optimists provided by the club, sailors will learn the basics of how the wind works, parts of the boat, and how to set up and control their boat while working as a team. This is a YNZ certified Level 1 course and a step up from NZ school Waterwise.
Step 3
CONFIDENCE 2
Sailors learn how to get their boats going a bit faster, and can go sailing in a wider range of conditions. C2 is held on Saturday afternoons (1-4pm) during the term time. This is a great opportunity to continue to build skills and boost confidence. Club Optimist dinghies are provided.
Join us another time?
Missed the recent Learn to Sail courses or just a bit too young? Share your details with Wakatere Boating Club and we'll be in touch about upcoming courses.
Unsure of your sailor’s level? Email us at coaching@wakatere.org.nz
Postal Address: Wakatere Boating Club, Box 32-288 Devonport, Auckland 0744
Location: Wakatere Boating Club, Old Lake Rd, Narrow Neck Beach, Devonport, Auckland.
