This season marked the most successful Whitworths Tackers program to date, with eight Discover Sailing Centres (DSCs) across the country receiving the opportunity to acquire more than 40 Tackers boats at a discounted rate through the Whitworths Tackers Initiative.
The Whitworths Tackers Initiative has long supported Discover Sailing Centres (DSCs) in being able to deliver Tackers programs and grow participation in sailing by financially assisting DSCs to buy Tackers boats thanks to the Whitworths and Ozi Opti partnership.
For the 24/25 season, 11 Discovers Sailing Centres applied for the program. Eight successful Discover Sailing Centres were given the opportunity to acquire Tackers boats at a heavily discounted price, while two clubs were after sails.
Marylands Yacht Club in NSW is excited to offer the Tackers program for the first time with six boats acquired through the Whitworths Tackers Initiative.
“As a newly accredited Discover Sailing Centre, Maylands Yacht Club aims to deliver a full offering of Australian Sailing programs, including Tackers (Levels 1-3), OutThere Sailing, and the Dinghy Program. These programs are designed to create an inclusive and supportive learning journey for participants of all ages and skill levels,” said Mimi Secco, Maylands Yacht Club Commodore and DSC Principal.
The club’s goal is to provide a fun, engaging environment for those seeking to learn sailing in a recreational setting, while also offering a solid foundation for those who wish to progress into competitive sailing through the Dinghy Program.
Humpybong Yacht Club in Queensland will be receiving six boats through the initiative and anticipates an increase in participation in the Tackers program by 30% in the year ahead.
After lead instructor and Australian Sailing Instructor of the Year for 2024 Emily Vivian, presented at the 2024 Queensland Sailing Summit on “Transforming Participation into Retention”.
“Humpybong Yacht Club will continue our progression through Tackers to Green Fleet and Club racing as well as our retention through an instructor development program of selecting Tackers graduates to become the next group of Assistant Instructors,” said Matthew Johnson, DSC Principal.
The Keppel Bay Sailing Club in Queensland is also anticipating a growth in Tackers participants, thanks to the initiative.
In an effort to ensure retention of their Tackers sailors, the club offers Tackers 1 participants a paid membership for the financial year and invites them along to quarterly fun days and monthly Green Fleet race days.
“Inviting the Tackers participants to these fun days, allows KBSC to build engagement with the sailors and help with retention,” said Conrad Byrt, Keppel Bay Sailing Club Sailing Manager.
Congratulations to the successful Whitworths Tackers Boat Program applicants! We sincerely hope that these new boats will enable you to deliver great sailing experiences in your Tackers courses and grow sailing at your club whilst also contributing to national growth in sailing.
Thank you to Whitworths for supporting the Tackers Program and young participants learning to sail.
Interested in starting your sailing journey? Find your closest Discover Sailing Centre today: https://www.discoversailing.org.au/
