Sailing School - FAQs

Parking and public transport

There is unrestricted parking available in Water Street and in adjacent streets.  

Public transport options can be readily accessed on the Trip Planners offered by TransportNSW or on Google Maps.  Please use Water Street, Birchgrove as your destination.    

What weather conditions will cause the course to be postponed?

It is important that sailors are able to able to cope with a variety of weather when sailing including high and low winds and rain, so courses will still go ahead in these conditions.  However, courses will be postponed to a later date when winds exceed 20 knots or conditions are dangerous or unsuitable for sailing.  Water safety awareness is an integral part of the syllabus. 

http://www.seabreeze.com.au/graphs/nsw.asp is a useful website commonly used in the sailing community for predicted weather conditions. 

How will I be notified of a postponement or cancellation?

The decision to postpone a course due to weather may only be made a few hours prior to the scheduled time of the course.  Your instructor or the sailing school will call you by phone or via SMS to inform you of the postponement, and to confirm the catch up day for that session.

If we are unable to meet minimum numbers, a course may be cancelled and in this circumstance we will contact you to arrange another date or a refund, if later dates are not suitable. 

What level of fitness or ability do I need to have?

Sailing is an activity that can be enjoyed by the young and old and does not require great strength to perform, but participants should be active and mobile.  Please let us know if you have any pre-existing medical conditions or specific health or disability concerns, and we can recommend the sailing course that best suits your needs.   

Can dates be changed?

We can offer customised courses on request and offer some limited flexibility with dates dependent on minimum numbers being reached and staff availability, prior to a course commencing.  If you have specific requirements, please contact the sailing school.   We require at least 7 days notice for a date change request or cancellation.  No refund is offered for non-attendance at lessons. 

Are there toilets facilities on-board?

Toilets are located inside the Balmain Sailing Clubhouse.  Lasers and Intrepid do not have toilets, whilst “Tookie” has a basic head (a marine toilet operated by a system of valves).   Your instructor will be able to open the clubhouse if it is closed.   

What should I bring?

• Bring a hat that won’t blow off - or get knocked off
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Drink
• Soft shoes with light-coloured soles that you don't mind getting wet
• Shorts and a sweater or sailing jacket (or similar)
• Buoyancy vests will be supplied.

Shoes must be worn on the Club’s timber deck.   

Bags and valuables that you do not wish to get wet can be left either in the dinghy shed or in the sailing school office, and these will be locked while you are on your course, if they are unattended.

Proud Sponsors of the Balmain Sailing Club