Malta Young Sailors Club

Malta Young Sailors Club gives children on the island a proper start in dinghy sailing. It sits at Tax-Xama in St Paul's Bay, on the north coast, and its aim is simple: to teach young sailors the skills to enjoy the sport as a fun and fulfilling activity, and to give them the ability to compete in Malta and abroad when they want to.

For visiting families this is a sports club rather than a tourist attraction, so it will suit you best if your children already sail, or if you are planning a longer stay or a move to the island. Our directory lists other sports clubs in Malta and a wider group of water sports providers in Malta if you are comparing options.

Who can join and what they sail

Membership is open to all children over the age of seven. The club coaches at every level in the Optimist class, the small single-handed boat that most young sailors begin in, and it takes children from seven upwards. Once sailors graduate from the Optimist, the club uses the Laser class boat, now known as the ILCA, to keep them sailing and racing.

The sailing programme also includes WindsurfLT and iQFOiL. Those are windsurfing classes, with iQFOiL being the foiling board, so the club is not limited to dinghies. A child who prefers a board and sail to a tiller and mainsheet has a route into the sport here.

All sailors, members, participants and parents are subject to the club's Code of Conduct, which sets out how everyone is expected to behave at the club and on the water.

Racing and regattas

Competition is a major part of the club's identity. Young sailors enjoy the challenge of racing, and because the boats in a class are the same, results come down to individual technique and skill rather than equipment. The club takes part in all the Maltese national competitions and in selected international regattas, and it aims to bring out the best in each sailor on the start line.

Many families find that regattas turn into a small holiday of their own. If you are travelling with a young sailor, our guides to the best beaches in Malta and things to do in Malta help fill the days around the racing, and the Malta weather guide shows what wind and sea conditions to expect by month.

Run by parents and volunteers

The club is run by an elected committee on a fully voluntary basis, and most of its members are parents of active sailors. The club could not function without that help, nor without its sponsors. Parents and other interested people pitch in on the days when boats need to be launched and events need to run.

Beyond boat handling, the club teaches lifelong skills that help young people grow into well-rounded individuals during their formative years. That is the part many parents value most: sailing as a way to build confidence, responsibility and teamwork.

The club also points families to the wider sailing community, including the international Optimist association, the Laser class association, its European body and AIMS Malta.

Staying nearby and joining in

St Paul's Bay and Buġibba form one of the busiest holiday areas on the north coast, with plenty of choice if you want to base yourself close to the club. Browse hotels in Qawra and St Paul's Bay or the broader guide to where to stay in Malta. Mellieħa and its beaches are a short drive away, and the Mellieħa guide covers them.

For a family day out away from the water, Adventure Hub is listed among children's activities, and Abyss Diving Club in Buġibba offers a different way to explore the sea. If you would rather see the coast from a larger boat, look at Adventure Cruises Malta.

To ask about membership, coaching levels or the next regatta, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Malta Young Sailors Club.