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Learn to Sail in Auckland, New Zealand

Gulfwind Sailing Academy Introduction

New Zealand is the clean green country so very proud of its delightful environment. It's awesome landscapes, lush forests, amazing wildlife and pleasant climate make it a haven for many outdoor activities, and a great place to unwind.

New Zealand society is diverse, sophisticated, and multicultural, and the honesty, friendliness, and openness of Kiwis will impress you. And the great advantage of New Zealand is that all of its diverse physical, cultural, and artistic landscapes are so close to each other!

Our Operation

Welcome to the wonderful and exciting world of sailing with one of the New Zealand Sailing Schools. Our goal is to leave you with the experience of power and grace that is only realised when you sail. You will have a fun time and enjoy personalised service.

Our learn to sail in Auckland business operates out of Westhaven Marina. We have a world renowned Harbour and Gulf to go sailing on, home of the Americas Cup. We offer the choice of going for a sail or taking one of the comprehensive sailing courses.

All kinds of people who want to share an adventure or those who have a desire to learn to sail or improve their sailing knowledge and boat handling skills, can now learn to sail in Auckland with Gulfwind Sailing Academy. Understanding the process of how a yacht sails will improve your confidence as well as the enjoyment you get from sailing.

Previous experience is not required. Under the watchful eyes of Mike and Sheryl you will gain hands on experience as you are shown the basics of yacht handling.

Gulfwind Sailing specialises in holding Yachting NZ Seamanship courses. Internationally recognised certificates are presented at the successful completion of the course. Gift Vouchers are available and they make a great present.

For further information about Gulfwind Sailing Academy, please contact us or visit our New Zealand sailing school Web site.

Sailing Trips

There are a number of options when you sail with Gulfwind Charters.

Cruising – Just sit back, or participate in sailing the yacht, as we guide you through a scenic journey around the world famous Auckland Harbour, or cruise the Hauraki Gulf enjoying the many beautiful islands, coves and bays.

You can go a for a sail on our sheltered Harbour—a few hours, a morning, an afternoon, or a whole day. We are also proud to offer extended overnight cruises in this breathtaking location.

Small numbers on board ensure you have plenty of flexibility on your charter. Gulfwind Sailing prides itself on having no fixed itinerary for our day sailing or extended cruises. Your desires are considered as well as prevailing weather conditions.

Yacht Charter – Morning or afternoon sail from NZ$395 Full day sail (including lunch) from NZ$775 Extended overnight cruises P.O.A.

Racing – Get together a crew (minimum four per yacht) and we will show your group how to race across the water, out pacing the wind. Gulfwind also has other yachts available, so gather together your crews and not only race the wind, but blow away the opposition in exciting harbour races.

The America's Cup Course – Gulfwind Charters has access to the America's Cup venue, letting you see the Viaduct Basin, headquarters for the Defender and Challenges syndicates from the water. We can arrange for special viewings of the America's Cup.

Corporate Options – Team Building: Is your company looking to build teamwork, strategic thinking, decision making or provide motivational training? Want to promote inter-department or company competition in an exhilarating environment? Gulfwind Charters has off-the-shelf packages or customised programmes available to meet your requirements. Yachting demands absolute team commitment to the goal, harness this powerful team building mechanism for your company.

Sailing Courses

Mike and Sheryl are your expert Yachting New Zealand Instructors who will show you the correct way to do things, making the learning process fun for all.

You get to do everything from handling the yacht under motor, hoisting and lowering the sails, to helming, all under the expert guidance of your instructor. Once confident in the skills and techniques, you'll discover how easy it is to go sailing.

The courses are all very practical. With only a small number of people (maximum of six) on board for a Scheduled course, there is plenty of opportunity to "have a go" and experience the feeling of sailing a yacht with confidence.

You will learn the terminology and parts of a yacht and the effect of the wind on the sails. You will learn about wind direction and how to sail a yacht around the wind clock.

The Rules of the Sea are important, including the International Buoyage System and prevention of Collision Rules. You get to put these safety and seamanship skills into practice.

The Learn to Sail course is designed for those new to the sport of yachting and those who would like to have a refresher course on the principles of sailing. There is also the opportunity for people to take a Yachting New Zealand Seamanship course at Gulfwind Sailing Academy.

Whether you are sailing a sailing dinghy, catamaran, trailer yacht or keeler, the principles learned on our courses are applicable to all.

Qualify with a Gulfwind Practical Sailing Certificate or an internationally recognised Yachting New Zealand Seamanship Certificate presented upon successful completion of courses.

Learn to Sail (15 hours tuition) – This course is ideal for those who are new to yachting and for those who would like to have a better understanding of how a yacht functions.

The course covers:

• Safety issues
• Helming a yacht under motor
• Ropework
• Sail selection, setting and trim
• Sailing manoeuvres
• Effect of weather, wind and tides

This Course can be taken as one of the following courses:

• Scheduled Course – NZ$595 (15% discount for two or more people) Contact us or visit www.gulfwind.co.nz for current schedule.
• Tailor-made Block Course – NZ$895 (15% discount for two or more people) two or three day block courses can be arranged to fit your time frame or travel plans.

Yachting New Zealand Seamanship Courses (three to five days) – Yachting NZ Seamanship courses are an advanced course for people with some previous sailing experience. Depending on qualifying experience, you can select a Crew, Skipper or Yachtmaster option.

These are excellent courses for people who would like to learn, and put into practice, the necessary skills to take a boat to sea in safety and with confidence. Each course has a night exercise, which is exciting and different to daytime sailing.

An internationally recognised YNZ Certificate is presented upon the successful completion of the course.

The course covers:

• Safety issues
• Helming a yacht under motor
• Sail selection, setting and trim
• Sailing manoeuvres
• Anchoring
• Planning a trip
• Navigation and related skills
• Dinghy handling
• Ropework
• Boat keeping
• Effect of weather, wind and tides

Crew and Skipper courses can be taken over three to four days. Overnight options are also available. Priced from NZ$1195 (15% discount for two or more people).

The Yachtmaster course is a live-on-board course taken over four to five days. P.O.A The fee is an all-inclusive cost for yacht charter and course.

On our Yacht or Yours – Number of hours, topics covered plus costs by arrangement. This option is great for people who would like some help with sailing their own yacht and /or would like some assistance with their crew training.

A fantastic way to get the most enjoyment out of your boat by learning from others the easy way. Mike and Sheryl have a wealth of knowledge and experience and are available for this work at times convenient for you.

Crew of our New Zealand Sailing School

Mike and Sheryl have a life time involvement with sailing. As qualified Yachting New Zealand Instructors your enjoyment and safety is assured. The world renowned Auckland Harbour and Hauraki Gulf is their playground and they look forward to sharing the true magic of running before the wind in this superb environment.

Share Delight is a Farr 1020 modern 34' racer/cruiser yacht centrally located at Auckland's Westhaven Marina. She is designed by Bruce Farr a world famous Kiwi who has designed many of the Volvo Around-the-World-Race and Americas Cup boats. She is exciting to sail and very comfortable to sail on. The boat has all the required safety equipment in accordance with the NZ Safe Ship Management Certificate.

Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Courses – 'Auckland – City of Sails' NZ—learn more here about our accreditation and abilities to train to these very high standards.

For further information about Gulfwind Sailing Academy, please contact us or visit our New Zealand sailing school Web site.

Affiliations

The following features, memberships and organisations are associated with Gulfwind Sailing Academy:

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