Adult Learn to Sail
The focus of the Adult Learn to Sail program is to teach the fundamentals of sailing, with the aim of instilling a love of the sport. Our adult keelboat and dinghy courses are designed for those aged 18 and over with no prior sailing experience. They cover all the basic skills and knowledge required to safely handle a small vessel as crew under moderate, daytime conditions. See below on this page for a more detailed program description.
Grow your sailing skills with us aboard a Tanzer 22.
Adult Program – Summer 2023
Dates
Note: The 2023 Adult Learn-to-Sail program is finished for the year. Information on the next year’s program will be posted in late February or early March of 2024
Weekend and weekday keelboat learn to sail courses are currently planned for May, June and July. Weekend sessions run on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., plus all-day Saturday and Sunday. Weekday sessions take place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. for three weeks (for a total of six classes). A maximum of four students are permitted for each course, and a minimum of two students must be enrolled for us to run a course.
The following sessions are currently open for registration:
W1 Weekend Session: 26 – 28 May– Session ClosedW2 Weekend Session: 2 – 4 June– Session ClosedE1 Evening Session: 5 – 16 June– Session ClosedE2 Evening Session: 19 – 30 June– Session ClosedW3 Weekend Session: 7 – 9 July– Session ClosedE3 Evening Session: 10 – 25 July– Session Closed
The Sailing School also offers dinghy learn to sail instruction for adults. This course follows the Sail Canada CANSail 1+2 dinghy program. If interested, contact us for more information.
COVID-19 Notice: All planned programming and dates for 2023 are subject to change without notice in accordance with public health requirements in effect. CBYC Sailing School COVID-19 Safety Protocols are outlined below.
COVID – 19 Safety
The health and safety of all our sailors, instructors, staff, volunteers and club members is the top priority of our organization. The majority of programs will be run outside, with as little time spent inside as possible. That said, the nature of sailing is such that it is not always possible to maintain social distancing or masking while on the water, particularly in a small keelboat cockpit. For this reason, all participants and staff must be fully vaccinated, or possess a valid medical exemption in accordance with the Province of Ontario.
At the time of planning, our 2023 COVID procedures include, but are not limited to, the following:
- proof of full vaccination for all coaches and sailors;
- the separation of programs (participants and instructors) into limited cohorts, which will remain socially distanced from other program cohorts;
- masks worn during briefing/debriefings and whenever onshore and appropriate social distancing cannot be maintained;
- enhanced cleaning; and
- daily COVID screening before arrival on site.
We will continue to follow official guidelines and recommendations from the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Province of Ontario, KFL&A Public Health and Sail Canada, as well as any COVID safety protocols in effect for Collins Bay Marina.
Fees
Adult learn to sail keelboat courses – $525 per course
Fee includes course materials (textbook, workbook, logbook), and Sail Canada Student Participation Fee.
Discounts
CBYC full members: CBYC full members receive a $25 discount (per course).
Multiple registration: Students who register for more than one course, spouses who enroll together, and the parents of children enrolled in the Sailing School youth learn-to-sail program receive a $50 discount (per course/registration).
Other benefits
Collins Bay Yacht Club offers all sailing school students complimentary associate membership in the club for the current season. This allows students and their families to take part in regularly organized dinghy races, to try crewing in keel-boat races (on Thursday evenings and some weekends), to join our Women’s Sailing Program, and to participate in club social activities. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to discover the great boating community we have at CBYC and Collins Bay Marina.
Registration and Payment
Registration and payment may be made online, or by mail. Please note that credit card payment is only available for online registration.
Also note that spaces are limited, and registration will only be confirmed when fees are paid in full.
Online Registration
The preferred registration method is through our online storefront. Payment for online registrations may be made:
- by credit card at the time of registration,
- by e-transfer to school@collinsbayyachtclub.ca within 10 business days.
- by cheque, mailed or hand delivered to the Sailing School Administrator within 10 business days, or
- by cash, hand delivered to the Sailing School Administrator within 10 business days. Please do not mail cash.
- Although online registrations may be paid by credit card, we encourage you to consider paying by cash, cheque or e-transfer, to help us avoid the significant credit card service charges; we would rather spend the money on sailing school programs and equipment.
If you register online, please also complete and bring the medical information and waiver form to the first class.
Click here to go to the Online Registration Storefront.
Registration by Mail
To register by mail, download and complete the Adult Registration Form and mail it to the Sailing School Administrator (mailing address is in the form).
Payment for mailed-in registration may be made:
- by cheque payable to CBYC Sailing School (mailed with registration form),
- by e-transfer to school@collinsbayyachtclub.ca within 10 business days, or
- by cash, paid in-person to the Sailing School Administrator within 10 business days. Please do not mail cash.
Spaces are limited: Registration will only be confirmed when fees are paid in full.
Keelboat course description
The Adult learn to sail keelboat course follows the Sail Canada Start Keelboat Sailing curriculum. The curriculum is the recommended starting point for those with little or no boating or sailing experience who want to experience sailing on a keelboat and begin to build basic sailing skills in a relaxed environment and at a comfortable pace. No experience is required. This entry level course builds basic sailing skills with a focus on operation of the vessel as crew. Candidates completing this course will be able to competently contribute to the operation of a keelboat in moderate daytime conditions.
Our course is taught aboard a Tanzer 22 sailboat. Students receive various course materials, including the Sail Canada textbook Basic Cruising and Sail the Canada Keel and Power Logbook.
What to bring
- A Department of Transportation, Canada, approved personal flotation device – properly fitted (PFD/life jacket) – mandatory and must be worn for all classes
- At least 1 full litre of water
- T-shirt and shorts
- Quick dry shoes (non-marking water shoes or canvas runners are good choices)
- A full change of warm clothing and footwear
Being exposed to wind, water and strong sun, we also recommend:
- A full cover hat with brim
- UV sunglasses with safety lanyard
- Appropriate sunscreen
- Long-sleeved shirt and pants
- Rain gear when inclement weather is predicted
To learn more
About the CANSail Dinghy Program
About the Start-Keelboat-Sailing Program
Still have questions?
If you need any further information or have questions, contact us.