It’s one reason why South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club, at Sunshine, is excited to be hosting the NSW Optimist Championships again this weekend.

The club hosted the state titles for the first time in 2016, and made an immediate impression on officials, the young sailors (aged 8 to 15), and their families.

“We had 166 children competing last year, and we’re hoping to see 180 on the water this weekend,” SLMASC instructor Lanee Beashel said.

“And with all of the parents and relatives who we expect to come along, we could have maybe 500 people here over the weekend.”

SLMASC will be represented by 20 young sailors.

There will be two courses - one for beginners, and one for advanced sailors – set up on the lake, right in front of the SLMASC clubhouse on Sunshine Parade.

“This club really is ideally suited to kids,” Ms Beashel said.

“You don’t have to worry about other boat traffic, like you do on Sydney Harbour, and it’s a lot more relaxed overall.

“As a parent, it’s hard to send your kids off sailing on Sydney Harbour and watch them disappear around the corner.”

Ms Beashel, a four-time Olympic windsurfer for the USA, and her husband Adam, who represented New Zealand in the America’s Cup campaign of 2000, coach the kids in the SLMASC fleet.

“Adam and I run fun after-school sailing for kids on Wednesdays, and on Sundays,” Ms Beashel said.

She said the club was the first on Lake Macquarie to offer Optimist sailing.

“It’s a great class to learn sailing in because there’s probably no other boat you can jump into and sail by yourself at 8 years old,” she said.

Sailing, generally, teaches independence and confidence, she said.

“The kids learn how to handle and rig their own boat. It’s like driving your own little car.

“And most of all, kids can get off the shore and be on their own on the water, enjoying nature instead of being in front of a screen.”

The state titles are sponsored by Beaches residential estate at Catherine Hill Bay.