Dinghy sailing lessons
Learn to sail a dinghy at Theewater Sports Club on Theewaterskloof Dam, near Villiersdorp. Weekend courses for families and adults, race training, private lessons and youth camps, all SA Sailing accredited.
Our focus is on safety and having fun, on and off the water. Most students are sailing the boat on their own in light to moderate wind by the end of the weekend, and more advanced sailors can enjoy powering along with three sails up.
Family discount: 10% off the third and each further family member booked onto the same course.
Key facts
The family and adult dinghy sailing course costs R1,895 per person for a weekend at Theewater Sports Club on Theewaterskloof Dam, with bunk house accommodation included.
- Weekend course price: R1,895 per person
- Length: 2-day weekend course
- Venue: Theewater Sports Club, Theewaterskloof Dam, near Villiersdorp, Western Cape
- Boats: Topper Topaz Race X dinghies with mainsail, jib and gennaker
- Accommodation: Bunk house or camping included on weekend courses; self-cater or eat at the club restaurant
- Age: No minimum age on family weekends (children sail with a parent or sibling); youth camps from 9 years old
- Accreditation: SA Sailing accredited, World Sailing recognised, with SA Sailing certificates of competence
- Safety: Life jackets and safety boats provided; you need to be able to stay afloat
- 3-day holiday course: R2,495 per person
- Race training: R2,195 per person for 2 days (4-day course also available)
- Private lessons: R3,495 for a 1-day private lesson; 2 or 3 days on request
- Youth camps: R3,495 per child for 4 days
- Booking: 60% deposit to book (R1,137); balance due 7 days before the course
The boats
Modern Topper Topaz Race X dinghies, with a mainsail, jib and gennaker.
The venue
Theewater Sports Club, with a training room and bunk house on the shore of Theewaterskloof Dam.
Accreditation
World Sailing recognised, SA Sailing accredited training, with SA Sailing certificates of competence.
Staying over
Bunk house accommodation, or camping if you bring a tent, is included on weekend courses. Self-cater in the kitchen (fridge, microwave and kettle) or eat at the club restaurant.
Courses and dates
Family and adult dinghy course
A weekend course for beginners and improvers. It runs alongside our Hobie course on the same dates: choose Dinghy when you book. Children on family weekends sail with a parent or sibling looking after them.
- 17/10/2026 – 18/10/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 24/10/2026 – 25/10/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 07/11/2026 – 08/11/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 21/11/2026 – 22/11/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 19/12/2026 – 20/12/2026R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 27/12/2026 – 29/12/2026R2,495 per person · R1,497 deposit to book
- 02/01/2027 – 03/01/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 23/01/2027 – 24/01/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 06/02/2027 – 07/02/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 27/02/2027 – 28/02/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 13/03/2027 – 14/03/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 10/04/2027 – 11/04/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
- 15/05/2027 – 16/05/2027R1,895 per person · R1,137 deposit to book
Dinghy and Hobie race training
For sailors who can already handle the boat and want to start racing. Available as a 2-day or 4-day course.
Youth sailing camps
Holiday camps for young sailors, with accommodation and catering included.
- 12/12/2026 – 15/12/2026R3,495 per person · R2,097 deposit to book
- 08/01/2027 – 11/01/2027R3,495 per person · R2,097 deposit to book
- 20/03/2027 – 23/03/2027R3,495 per person · R2,097 deposit to book
- 01/04/2027 – 04/04/2027R3,495 per person · R2,097 deposit to book
- 24/04/2027 – 27/04/2027R3,495 per person · R2,097 deposit to book
Private dinghy lessons
Lessons on dates that suit you, over 1, 2 or 3 days. Tell us when you would like to sail and we will confirm a date.
Where you sail
All dinghy courses are held at Theewater Sports Club on Theewaterskloof Dam, near Villiersdorp. The club is family friendly, with a restaurant and bar over weekends and holidays.
Good to know
What is the minimum age?
It is more about maturity than age. As a guide, our youth courses accept children from 9 years old. On family weekends there is no minimum age, because children sail with a parent or sibling looking after them.
Do I need to be able to swim?
You need to be able to stay afloat. Everyone wears a life jacket on the water, however well they swim.
What should I bring?
A wetsuit or a waterproof, windproof jacket, a change of clothes suited to the season, and something warm for the evenings. If you are staying over, bring a sleeping bag and pillow.
How does booking work?
Choose a date and pay a 60% deposit online to secure your place. We email you a link to pay the balance, which is due 7 days before your course starts. Bookings made within 7 days of the start are paid in full.
Can I rent a boat after my course?
Once you have reached a certain level of sailing ability, we are happy to rent out our equipment when we are not using it.