Groups of Victorian and South Australian primary school students have set sail in after-school yachting adventures.

St Columba’s Primary School, St Mary’s Memorial School and Christ the King School are on deck, partnering with Yachting Victoria and Yachting South Australia clubs to provide sailing experiences to students as part of the Australian Government’s Active After-school Communities (AASC) program.

Approximately 130 children from the schools have been participating in introductory sailing sessions in which they learn the fundamental skills of sailing in a fun, safe and inclusive way.

Daisy Brooke, development officer for Yachting Victoria said ‘the AASC children will benefit from being able to use boats that are specifically designed for learners and will be provided with fun and safe coaching from our experienced instructors’.

‘Children can then elect to continue sailing by joining the local Tackers program, keeping our sport strong for generations to come,’ she said.

St Columba’s AASC coordinator Andrea Szkibik said ‘the school was so excited to try sailing. The children have had a great time and are very lucky to have been given this opportunity through the AASC program’.

AASC regional coordinator, Yvonne Mackay said ‘watching the children squeal for joy at their first session was wonderful to see. Giving them such a positive sporting experience like this at a young age is a great way to encourage them to continue leading a healthy and active life’.

The AASC program, an Australian Government initiative, is delivered by the Australian Sports Commission and provides primary school-aged children with a fun, free and safe introduction to over 70 sports and 20 structured physical activities.

Up to 190 000 children participate in the AASC program, which is run in up to 3270 schools and after-school care centres across every state and territory.