Looking to improve your communications skills on the radio? Everyone who operates a keelboat should have their Operators Certificate.

The Maritime Radio course teaches emergency radio procedures, and everyday operating techniques. Learn all about the uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases, as well as Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS). Must have valid photo ID. Summer courses will be posted in the spring.

Basic Navigation is an essential component of sailing. Whether it is getting out of the harbour or getting across the lake, we all need to know how to plan and execute the navigation aspect of the trip. If you are thinking of taking Intermediate Cruising, this course is a prerequisite. These courses are offered via zoom over 6 sessions.

Start Keelboat Sailing is the perfect entry level into sailing. The course is taught on a Beneteau First 22 and offers a large cockpit for learning in with your fellow students and your instructor. If you are interested in trying out sailing this is your entry point. If you have been sailing before and know that this is something for you or you want to be the person in charge on the boat, or just want to hone your skills, then have a look at Basic Cruising. Start keelboat Sailing is offered in a variety of formats. Choose from daytime, evening or weekend courses.

Start Keelboat Sailing is the perfect entry level into sailing. The course is taught on a Beneteau First 22 and offers a large cockpit for learning in with your fellow students and your instructor. If you are interested in trying out sailing this is your entry point. If you have been sailing before and know that this is something for you or you want to be the person in charge on the boat, or just want to hone your skills, then have a look at Basic Cruising. Start keelboat Sailing is offered in a variety of formats. Choose from daytime, evening or weekend courses.

Start Keelboat Sailing is the perfect entry level into sailing. The course is taught on a Beneteau First 22 and offers a large cockpit for learning in with your fellow students and your instructor. If you are interested in trying out sailing this is your entry point. If you have been sailing before and know that this is something for you or you want to be the person in charge on the boat, or just want to hone your skills, then have a look at Basic Cruising. Start keelboat Sailing is offered in a variety of formats. Choose from daytime, evening or weekend courses.

To be able to cruise safely in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sloop-rigged keelboat of 6 to 10 meters with an outboard or inboard motor in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. The focus of this standard is on the development of basic sailing and seamanship skills as well as the knowledge needed to make the decisions expected of a skipper. This course is offered in a variety of formats. Choose from daytime, evening or weekend courses.

To be able to cruise safely in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sloop-rigged keelboat of 6 to 10 meters with an outboard or inboard motor in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. The focus of this standard is on the development of basic sailing and seamanship skills as well as the knowledge needed to make the decisions expected of a skipper. This course is offered in a variety of formats. Choose from daytime, evening or weekend courses.

To be able to cruise safely in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sloop-rigged keelboat of 6 to 10 meters with an outboard or inboard motor in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. The focus of this standard is on the development of basic sailing and seamanship skills as well as the knowledge needed to make the decisions expected of a skipper. These courses are offered at night with on water sessions and Friday night theory sessions in the classroom. This course is offered in a variety of formats. Choose from daytime, evening or weekend courses.

This is a Sail Canada Instructor training clinic for existing instructors who would like to teach spinnaker courses. Successful candidates are able to teach and certify students in either symmetrical or asymmetrical spinnakers. At the course, you will be evaluated on your practical spinnaker handling skills and lesson delivery as well as theory knowledge through working papers. Please see the Sail Canada Spinnaker Instructor Standard for more details. Candidates must be current in their instructor certifications. You must first sign up for the clinic with Ontario Sailing and be approved for the clinic before signing up here.

This is the second entry level in the Sail Canada Cruising Instructor Program. Successful candidates are able to teach and certify the Introduction to Boating, Start Keelboat Sailing and Basic Cruising Standards as well as PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operator Card). At the course, you will receive intensive training in how to teach, plan lessons, and evaluate students. You will be evaluated on your practical boating and sailing skills on-water and dockside and theory knowledge through working papers as well as proctored examinations. Candidates should be current in their sailing skills and knowledge prior to entry into this clinic. The sailing evaluation demands above average basic sailing skills and there is no time during the clinic for remedial work. Working papers that should be completed prior to the clinic cover topics including, local knowledge, safety equipment and regulations, Sail Canada practices, operation and maintenance of inboard and outboard engines, the marine head, and crew overboard procedures. Proctored examinations include Rules and Buoyage, Basic Cruising and PCOC. For more information, please review the Basic Cruising Instructor standard posted on the Sail Canada website.

Want to crew in a club race or weekend race? Want to learn the ropes a little before you get on the boat for the first time? This Intro To Race Program will get you started in the right direction.

This Intro to Race program is split into 3 modules so you can pick and choose the learning you are after.  Please see the course descriptions for more details and accreditation process.

This is the first entry level in the Sail Canada Cruising Instructor Program. At the course, you will receive training and coaching on how to teach, plan lessons, and evaluate students. You will be evaluated on your practical boating and sailing skills on-water and dockside and theory knowledge through working papers as well as proctored examinations. Candidates should be current in their sailing skills and knowledge prior to entry into this clinic. Candidates who successfully complete this course will be able to teach and certify the Introduction to Boating and Start Keelboat Sailing standards.

Time to ramp up your sailing game to include an asymmetric spinnaker. Cruising or racing now sees a lot of fun with an asymmetric spinnaker. This two day course will take you through rigging, hoisting and dousing, gybing and trimming an asymmetric spinnaker. This course does not have a written test. The course is taught on a Beneteau Platu 25.

Please see the full details of this course at onegirlsoceanchallenge.com

Intermediate Cruising is the next step after you have completed Basic Cruising. The course is offered in two stages. Choose to lighten your learning load and complete your theory and test prior to heading out on the water, or complete your theory portion during the on water portion. Sail Canada has prescribed pre requisites for this course. Please read the full details prior to signing up to ensure you are eligible. If you do not have the pre requisites or are not sure if you are eligible to sign up, please contact our lead instructor at lead_instructor@abyc.ca

Looking to learn a little about celestial navigation? This Sail Canada course is offered will walk you

This course will help you plan for and execute a passage that may involve a long distance or overnight scenario to a known or unknown destination – in order to gain comfort and confidence to go cruising in safety with proper preparedness.

The course will simulate a sample passage in the Southern Gulf Islands, as it will expose sailors to a greater range of required preparations, planning, navigation, hazards and execution in waters that have significant tides and currents.

Some topics that will be covered are provisioning, sail plan, weather check, engine check, proper documents, crew briefings/preparations, crew overboard, emergency preparations, destination planning, navigation planning, passage making.xt here

Taken in conjunction with Basic Cruising. You may sign up for the PVOP testing while you are signing up for Basic Cruising,, or if you choose to sign up after the fact, payment can be made here.

This is not a course. To sign up for a ride check, you must be a NEW member of the Coop Keelboat Program and have been told to sign up for a ride check.

This is not a course. To sign up for a ride check, you must be an EXISTING member from last year, of the Coop Keelboat Program and have been told to sign up for a ride check.

Looking for some extra practice? Looking to complete your Basic Cruising certification, but need a little more time? Sign up for either of these sessions to help you get towards your goal and give you that extra bit of time you are looking for.

Please see the course description for full details.

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by Gillian West

Please only use this if you have been instructed to do so by the Lead Instructor.