General Information
Sailing at Ascham is based at Woollahra Sailing Club, Rose Bay, where scenic Sydney Harbour provides a perfect venue for sailing. Our fleet of 12 Pacer Dinghies and 12 Optimist Dinghies, caters for both the experienced sailor in a competitive team environment and also the novice sailor in a more relaxed social sail, learn to sail and fleet racing environment.
Students, who so desire, have the opportunity to excel and represent the school at various regattas. From local events at Rose Bay against other Sydney schools, to all the way up to sailing for Australia against New Zealand. Other less experienced girls can enjoy the fun of learning to sail and progress through the various levels detailed below. Girls can crew for an experienced helm before taking the helm themselves in competitions if they wish.
Levels
The Ascham Fiona sailing program is divided into two levels to allow students to progress in their sailing abilities.
| Level | Goals | On-Water Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Learn to Sail | Designed to teach participants how to sail, starting with essential skills. More advanced skills and techniques are introduced gradually until students are ready to race at their local club or feel confident being independent on the water. | 2 x On-Water (Terms 1 and 4) |
| 1 x On-Water (Terms 2 and 3) | ||
| Optimist Racing | This group is by invitation only from the Head Coach for students who wish to take part in regular Saturday racing against others within the Ascham program or other local schools. | 2 x On-Water (All Terms) |
Training Schedule
Terms 1 and 4 | Woollahra Sailing Club
Tuesday: 3.45–6pm | All Groups
Saturday: 8–10am | All Groups
Terms 2 and 3 | Woollahra Sailing Club
Wednesday: 4–6pm | Optimist Sailing
Saturday: 1–3pm | Learn to Sail and Optimist Sailing
Transport
Parents are required to arrange transport for their daughters to and from Sailing.
Fiona Sailing Key Dates 2025
| Event | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Term 2 Sailing Swim Trial | Thursday 3 April 2025 | Ascham Pool |
| Term 3 Sailing Swim Trial | Thursday 19 June 2025 | Ascham Pool |
| Optimist Racing Squad |Traveller's Trophy 1 | Sunday 24 August 2025 | Hunters Hill Sailing Club |
| Term 4 Sailing Swim Trial | Saturday 6 September 2025 | Ascham Pool |
| Term 4 Sailing Trial | Saturday 13 September 2025 | Woollahra Sailing Club |
| Optimist Racing Squad | Opti Chicks Camp | Saturday 20 – Sunday 21 September 2025 | Hunters Hill Sailing Club |
| Optimist Racing Squad | ACT Optimist Championships | Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 November 2025 | Canberra Yacht Club |
| Optimist Racing Squad | Summer Optimist Regatta | Friday 12 – Sunday 14 December 2025 | Georges River 16' Sailing Club |
Uniform
Wetsuit, firm fitting PFD (type 2), enclosed water shoes, hat, sunscreen, swimmers, towel
Hair and Safety
Due to the risk of hair being caught in turning blocks all long hair must be secured in a tight bun or braid.
Inclement Weather
In the event of un-sailable weather, based upon Bureau of Meteorology Marine Warnings and forecasts, a shorter sailing theory session may take place instead of going on the water. However, this will not always be able to be coordinated, and therefore will not always be the case. Any adjustments to sessions will be communicated to parents via email.
Parent Assistance
Parent support is needed to get the boats out of storage racks, help with rigging and unrigging and put them away at the end of each training session.
Venue and Membership
The Ascham Sailing program is conducted from Woollahra Sailing Club (WSC) and the Ascham Sailing boats are stored at WSC. Ascham School appreciated the support of the WSC and the use of their facilities. All sailors, after their first season in Learn to Sail, must join the WSC. Please respect the grounds and change rooms, leaving them clean and tidy. In addition, WSC is affiliated with Australian Sailing. Therefore, as a member of an affiliated club, students are covered by the Personal Accident Insurance Policy of Australian Sailing for the duration of the season. This also enables students to compete in all Australian or International regattas. Please ensure that you obtain a receipt to keep on file. WSC will then receive an official Yachting Australia number for your daughter.
Woollahra Sailing Club
2 Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay
The Woollahra Sailing Club website can be found here.
Please find the WSC membership form here.
https://hub.ascham.nsw.edu.au/ArticleDocuments/500/WSC%20MEMBERSHIP%20Form%202018.pdf.aspx
Forms
General Information
Sailing at Ascham is based at Woollahra Sailing Club, Rose Bay, where scenic Sydney Harbour provides a perfect venue for sailing. Our fleet of 12 Pacer Dinghies and 12 Optimist Dinghies, caters for both the experienced sailor in a competitive team environment and also the novice sailor in a more relaxed social sail, learn to sail and fleet racing environment.
Students, who so desire, have the opportunity to excel and represent the school at various regattas. From local events at Rose Bay against other Sydney schools, to all the way up to sailing for Australia against New Zealand. Other less experienced girls can enjoy the fun of learning to sail and progress through the various levels detailed below. Girls can crew for an experienced helm before taking the helm themselves in competitions if they wish.
Levels
The below levels are offered within the Ascham Sailing program to allow students to tailor their level of involvement. All squads participate in a minimum of 1 training session per week plus either Saturday training or a Regatta.
| Level | Goals | On-Water Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Red | Students who wish to train and compete at State and National Level | 2–3 x On-Water |
| Blue | Students who wish to further develop their sailing and/ or participate socially for lifelong physical activity | 2 x On-Water |
Training Schedule
Terms 1 and 4 | Woollahra Sailing Club
Wednesday: 4–6.30pm
Thursday: 4–6.30pm
Saturday: 8am–1pm
Terms 2 and 3 | Woollahra Sailing Club
Wednesday: 4–6pm | Teams Racing
Saturday: 12noon–4pm | Teams Racing
Terms 2 and 3 |Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Thursday: 6–8am | Match Racing
Transport
Parents are required to arrange transport for their daughters to and from Sailing.
Senior Sailing Key Dates 2025
| Date | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday 22 February – Sunday 23 February | ACT Teams Racing Regatta | YMCA of Canberra Sailing Club |
| Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 March | Interschools Sailing Competition | TBC |
| Thursday 3 April | Winter Sailing Swim Trial | Ascham Pool |
| Friday 2 May – Sunday 4 May | State Sailing Championships | Georges River 16ft Sailing Club |
| Wednesday 16 – Saturday 19 July | National Sailing Championships | Goolwa Regatta Yacht Club |
| Saturday 16 August | Summer Sailing Swim Trial | Ascham School Pool |
| Saturday 16 August | Summer Sailing Trial | Woollahra Sailing Club |
| Saturday 30 – Sunday 31 August | NSW Youth Match Racing Championships | Cruising Yacht Club of Australia |
| Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 September | John Messenger Women's Match Racing Regatta | Cruising Yacht Club of Australia |
| TBC (Spring School Holidays ) | Interdominion Sailing Championships | TBC |
| TBC (Term 4) | Redlands Sailing Cup | Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron |
| TBC (Term 4) | Scots Regatta | TBC - Royal Price Edward Yacht Club |
Uniform
Students should wear their Ascham sports uniform before and after Sailing.
Please remember that the weather can be variable and the following items are suggested:
– swimming costume
– wet suit (long-legged sleeveless is ideal)
– long-sleeved rash vest under wetsuit (warm weather only)
– firm-fitting PFD (personal floatation device), type 2
– sailing gloves
– spray jackets
– enclosed water shoes (no crocs or thongs)
– beanie (cold weather only)
– thermals under wet suit (cold weather only)
– towel
Hair and Safety
Due to the risk of hair being caught in turning blocks all long hair must be secured in a tight bun or braid.
Inclement Weather
In the event of un-sailable weather, based upon Bureau of Meteorology Marine Warnings and forecasts, a shorter sailing theory session may take place instead of going on the water. However, this will not always be able to be coordinated, and therefore will not always be the case. Any adjustments to sessions will be communicated to parents via email.
Sailing Philosophy
Philosophy underlying selection:
Selection Criteria
Venue and Membership
The Ascham Sailing program is conducted from Woollahra Sailing Club (WSC) and the Ascham Sailing boats are stored at WSC. Ascham School appreciated the support of the WSC and the use of their facilities. All sailors, after their first season in Learn to Sail, must join the WSC. Please respect the grounds and change rooms, leaving them clean and tidy. In addition, WSC is affiliated with Australian Sailing. Therefore, as a member of an affiliated club, students are covered by the Personal Accident Insurance Policy of Australian Sailing for the duration of the season. This also enables students to compete in all Australian or International regattas. Please ensure that you obtain a receipt to keep on file. WSC will then receive an official Yachting Australia number for your daughter.
Woollahra Sailing Club
2 Vickery Avenue, Rose Bay
The Woollahra Sailing Club website can be found here.
Please find the WSC membership form here.
MS Teams
All information regarding Sailing for students will occur on MS Teams.
Please see below some important information regarding MS Teams.
Updates
All updates regarding teams will be posted in their individual MS Team. This could include wet weather updates, venue updates, training updates etc. It is recommended that students download the MS Teams app on their phone and enable notifications so they can receive updates promptly.
Absences
Students are required to use the ‘Absences’ channel to inform their Coach, Head Coach and Sports Administrator that their are unable to make a training or match. The Sports Department asks that as much notice as possible is given for absences, particularly for matches. Students should write the date they will be absent and where possible the reason.
Tagging
Students are asked that when they write a message in their Team, that they tag the relevant people. To tag someone, type the ‘@’ symbol and then write either the relevant person’s name or the Team’s name to inform the whole group.
Online Behaviour
As outlined in Ascham’s IT policy, students must adhere to appropriate online behaviour. We ask that comments are carefully considered before posting.