Yachting New Zealand acts as the qualifications authority to those involved in the instructing and coaching yachting in New Zealand. Yachting New Zealand assures that those certified in the different levels of qualifications available have met rigorous standards, and are therefore sanctioned by Yachting New Zealand to teach, instruct and coach accordingly.
Yachting New Zealand offers numerous courses and continuing education to those with existing qualifications. Yachting New Zealand has facilitators who deliver the Yachting New Zealand qualifications throughout New Zealand.
Yachting New Zealand Instructor & Coach Qualifications
Assistant Learn to Sail (Dinghy) Instructor
An Assistant Learn to Sail (Dinghy) Instructor has attended a Club Instructors course (Dinghy), but has not completed all criteria in order to become a qualified Learn to Sail (Dinghy) Instructor, or is under the age of 18. Assistant Instructors may assist with teaching the Learn to Sail (Dinghy) Programme, however they must be teaching in conjunction with a qualified Learn to Sail (Dinghy) Instructor.
Dinghy Learn-to-Sail Instructor
A Dinghy Learn to Sail Instructor is a competent instructor who has been trained and assessed to teach up to Level 2 of the Yachting New Zealand Learn to Sail (Dinghy) Programme. The Dinghy Learn to Sail Instructor qualification is gained by completing and passing a two and a half day course delivered by Yachting New Zealand’s accredited facilitators. Participants are assessed on their sailing skills, teaching skills, and powerboat handling. Click here for more information and the course outline.
Keelboat Learn-to-Sail Instructor
A Keelboat Learn to Sail Instructor is a competent and experienced Keelboat, Multihull or Trailer Yacht instructor who has been trained and assessed in the teaching of sailing to groups. A Keelboat Learn to Sail Instructor will be graded Level 1, 2 or 3 and can teach to that level of the Learn to Sail (Keelboat) Programme. This is a 2 1/2 day course. Click here for more information and the course outline.
The new course targets coaches who are coaching learn to race sailors through to sailors of a top regional level. This course will be of a major benefit to all Club’s advancing their sailors out of learning how to sail to learning how to race and race competently. Click here for more information and the course outline.
Regatta Coach is aimed at those who coach to a high standard at a regional, national and international level. This course is to further your development as a coach so you and your sailors will perform to a higher level. You are trained to coach race techniques and racing skills. Regatta Coaches are assessed in their coaching skills at a racing level, as well as having a good level of knowledge as a racing sailor. Click here for more information and the course outline.
A performance coach has the skills to coach racing sailors at YNZ High Performance Academy level or sailors to International Regattas including Olympic events. Anyone can attend the specialised modules 1 through 6, but to gain the Performance Coach qualification you must have sit the Regatta Race Coach (or RPL), attend and complete specialised modules 1 through 6 plus the assessment and have experience coaching at the international level. Training Required: Regatta Race Coach Course, Specialised modules 1 through 6 plus assessment, and appropriate coaching experience. Click here for more information and the course outline.
Please note: These specialised modules are open to all those interested, but there are strict requirements to become qualified.
Olympic coaches are those elite level coaches who are coaching sailors to an Olympic Level. This qualification is awarded to a coach who has a vast amount of experience and success at world class events and demonstrates mentoring and leadership abilities. Training Required: Be on the carded coach scheme or similar, which involves seeking professional development in areas which the coach deems necessary at that level. Coached to success at world class events. Click here for more information.