Build a Northbridge Junior. Launch it. Sail it.

A family boatbuilding and sailing program creating an affordable pathway into junior sailing at BYRA.

Due to a very positive response registrations are closed for this year.

Don't be disapointed because expressions of interest can be made for next year at the following link!
RSVP for Build a Boat Program 2027

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

A Hands-On Family Winter Project With a Real Outcome

The BYRA Boatbuilding Program is a family-based program for children aged 6–13 and their families.

Over the winter, children work alongside their parents or guardians to build their own Northbridge Junior sailing dinghy from the ground up. At the end of the program, the family launches the boat, keeps it and continues sailing it as part of the BYRA community.

The program is about more than building a boat. It provides families with an affordable pathway into sailing, while developing practical skills, creating shared experiences and encouraging long-term family participation in the club.

Families participating in the program make a three-year family sailing membership commitment to BYRA, supporting their continued involvement in sailing after the boatbuilding component is complete.

• This is not a model.
• It’s not a theory class.
• It’s a real sailing dinghy built by children and their families.

• And when it’s finished, the family keeps it and sails it.

What Is the Northbridge Junior?

The Northbridge Junior is a purpose-designed junior sailing dinghy created to introduce young sailors to the sport in a safe, simple, and engaging way. It is:

• Stable and practical for junior training
• Simple to rig and maintain
• Designed specifically for learning
• Ideal as a stepping stone into club sailing and racing.
  
  
  
  

What Families Will Learn

🔧Practical Skills

Children and their parents or guardians work together throughout the build, learning skills including:

• Safe use of hand and selected power tools
• Measuring, marking, and reading simple plans
• Timber assembly and structural construction
• Fibreglass taping and finishing systems
• Painting and final fit-out
• Basic rigging and sailing preparation

and more....

👥 Family Engagement & Development

The program also encourages:

• Children and parents working together towards a shared goal
• Teamwork and communication
• Responsibility and project ownership
• Confidence through skill mastery
• Problem-solving and resilience
• Pride in building and sailing thier own boat
• Ongoing involvement as a family within BYRA

Boatbuilding provides the starting point. The long-term goal is to bring children and their families into sailing and help them stay involved.

HOW IT WORKS

Programme Structure (2026)

• Family-bassed boatbuilding program
• Duration: 16 Sundays a minium of 8 Sundays is required. They don't have to be consecutive! (Winter Programme)
• Location: BYRA Workshop / Boat Park
• Session Length: 4–6 hours per session
• Age Group: 6–13 years and their families
• Outcome: Each participating family builds and keeps a Northbridge Junior
• Ongoing Commitment: Children and parents working together towards a shared goal
• Pathway: Boatbuilding → Launch → Learn to Sail → Club Sailing

Programme stages include:

• Workshop Induction & Safety Training
• Hull & Structural Assembly
• Fairing & Reinforcement
• Foils, Fittings & Rigging
• Painting & Finishing
• Launch Day and Milestone Celebrations
• Learn to Sail

• Transition into ongoing junior and family sailing at BYRA

Safety & Supervision

The program is supported by experienced BYRA members and volunteers, with:

• Clear workshop safety procedures
• PPE requirements and safe tool systems
• Structured sign-in / sign-out
• Parent or guardian involvement
• Inclusive and supportive learning environment

Safety and wellbeing are our first priority.

After the Build – Learn to Sail

Launching the boat isn't the end of the program — it's the beginning of the family's sailing journey.

After completing their Northbridge Junior, families are supported into BYRA's sailing pathway through:

• Learn to Sail opportunities
• Supervised familiarisation sailing
• Junior training
• Club sailing
• Junior racing opportunities
• Ongoing family participation within BYRA

The aim is to remove some of the traditional barriers to entering sailing by giving families the opportunity to build their own boat, learn together and become part of the club community.

The goal is simple!

Click Here For EOI Registration - Winter 2027

Build it together. Launch it together. Sail it together. Stay involved