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Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club - Home
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Sailing Programs
Discover the joy of sailing with our diverse range of programs, designed for all ages and skill levels!
At SNSYC, we are passionate about sharing our love for the water and helping you develop a lifelong passion for sailing. Whether you're taking your first steps on a dinghy, refining your racing skills, or looking for accessible sailing opportunities, we have a program for you.
Not sure which program is best for you? Scroll down to read through our available programs!
*All registration is done online through the links above. Programs and dates will be available through the links*
OPTI IntroductionOur Opti Introduction course is the perfect way for young sailors with no sailing experience to dip their toes into the water and discover sailing! This course focuses on building confidence and comfort on the water in a safe, supportive environment. Sailors will learn the fundamentals, from boat parts to making the boat move with the wind in their sails. With a mix of on-land games, engaging lessons, and on-water time, they'll learn boat handling, steering, and water safety, all while making new friends and having a blast! Price: $250 Sessions: Monday-Friday for 1 week. Ideal For: Children ages 5-11, under 100 lbs, with no prior sailing experience. | OPTI CANSail 1Our Opti CANSail 1 is a course designed for fun, building confidence, and learning! Sailors will learn the FUNdamentals of sailing, including balance, steering, and making the boat move using the sail, with two sailors per boat. This course incorporates lots of games, activities, and fun lessons, making it perfect for new sailors and those with limited sailing experience. Price: $450 Sessions: Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm for 1 week Ideal For: Children aged aged 7-11, under 100 lbs, with no prior sailing experience. | OPTI CANSail 2+Our Opti CANSail 2+ program is the next step in the sailing journey! Young sailors become more independent as they continue to develop CANSail 1 sailing skills, while more advanced skills are introduced, further building on the FUNdamentals of sailing. Sailors will learn to sail by themselves and will work towards their CANSail 2 and above certifications. With fun lessons and games help to solidify new skills and confidence! Price: $450 Sessions: Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm for 1 week Ideal For: Children ages 7-11, under 100 lbs, who have completed CANSail 1. |
420/FJ CANSail 1 + 2An introductory course for new sailors or those with limited sailing experience. Taught in the 420 and FJ sailboats. The course focuses on safety, balance, steering, sail trim, and seamanship. Beginner sailors will learn the FUNdamentals of sailing and how to work as a team with two-three sailors per boat. Lessons and games are a big part of learning sailing! Price: $450 Sessions: Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm for 1 week Ideal For: Youth aged 12-18, over 100lbs, with no prior sailing experience. | 420/FJ CANSail 3 + 4Sailors build on existing FUNdamental skills, working towards skill proficiency in a variety of conditions and situations. Sailors are introduced to concepts like reading the wind and waves, advanced boat handling, beginner racing skills and rules, and sportsmanship through on water games and lessons. Taught in the 420 and FJ sailboats. Price: $750 Sessions: Monday-Friday from 9:00am - 4:00pm for 2 weeks Ideal For: Youth aged 12-18, over 100lbs, who have completed CANSail 2. |
Laser CANSail 3 + 4
This course is for sailors ready to take their sailing to the next level in a Laser sailboat. Sailors will sail solo and work on their boat handling and gain proficiency in a variety of conditions, working towards CANSail 3 or 4.
Sailors will learn advanced concepts such as reading the wind and waves, mastering more complex racing rules, and applying advanced race-day strategy. Through a combination of drills, on-water games, and simulated races, athletes will improve their racing skills, sportsmanship, and confidence on the water.
Price: $450
Sessions: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm for 1 week
Ideal For: Youth aged 12-18, over 120lbs, who have completed CANSail 2.
OPTI Learn-to-RacePerfect for young sailors who have completed CANSail 2 and are ready to enter the world of competitive sailing. Through a mix of drills, lessons, and races, sailors will learn the basic rules of racing, how to navigate a race course, and develop key strategies for a fast start and quick mark roundings. This course is designed to introduce sailors to racing and what being a part of the race team can look like! This course introduces elements of racing and advanced techniques, preparing young athletes for more competitive opportunities. Price: $450 Sessions: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm for 1 week Ideal For: Children aged 7-11, under 100lbs, who have completed CANSail 2. | 420/FJ Learn-to-RaceThis course is designed for sailors who have completed CANSail 2 and are ready to start double-handed racing. Sailors will work with a partner to learn essential racing concepts. Through a mix of on-water drills, tactical lessons, and races, sailors will learn the basic rules of racing, fast starts, proper mark roundings, and racing tactics. This is a great stepping stone for those interested in joining the race team in the future. Price: $450 Sessions: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm for 1 week Ideal For: Youth aged 12-18, over 100lbs, who have completed CANSail 2. | Laser Learn-to-Race
For the independent sailor who wants to test their skills on the race course. Taught in the single-handed Laser sailboat, this course focuses on the fundamentals of racing for solo sailors. Participants will learn how to navigate a racecourse, understand basic racing rules, and develop strategies for starting and mark roundings. This is a great stepping stone for those interested in joining the race team in the future.
Price: $450 Sessions: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm for 1 week Ideal For: Youth aged 12-18, over 120lbs, who have completed CANSail 2. |
ADULT Learn-to-SailAn introductory course for new sailors or those with limited sailing experience. The course focuses on safety, balance, steering, sail trim, and seamanship. Beginner sailors will learn the FUNdamentals of sailing and how to work as a team with two sailors per boat. Price: $425 Sessions: Twice a week for 4 weeks Ideal For: Sailors ages 16 and older, or 13 with a parent/guardian in the class. No sailing experience required. *Minimum 4 participants required for this program to run* | ADULT Learn-to-RaceAn intermediate course for sailors with basic sailing knowledge who want to experience the fun and strategy of racing. The program focuses on race starts, tactics, sail trim for speed, and racing rules. This program is run in the C420 or Laser sailboats. A great introduction to racing before our spring and summer racing series! Price: $200 Sessions: Once a week for 4 weeks. Ideal For: Sailors ages 16+ or 12 with a parent/guardian in the class. Must have completed CANSail 1. *Minimum 4 participants required for this program to run* |
RACE TEAMFor competitive sailors, our year-round program offers advanced coaching, tactical training, and opportunities to compete in local and regional regattas. Looking to get your CANSail 5 and CANSail 6? Race Team is the place to be! Price: $225 per month Sessions: Twice a week, year round. Ideal for: Those with a minimum of CANSail 2, looking to enter the world of competitive racing and elevate their skills. For more information, visit our Race Team page! | OPTI RACE TEAMFor competitive sailors, our year-round program offers advanced coaching, tactical training, and opportunities to compete in local and regional regattas. Price: $225 per month Sessions: Twice a week, year round. Ideal for: Those with a minimum of CANSail 1, looking to enter the world of competitive racing and elevate their skills. For more information, visit our Race Team page! | KEELBOAT RACE TEAMFor sailors who want to learn racing on keelboats. The program focuses on crew coordination, spinnaker handling, and advanced race strategy. Sailors will develop teamwork and communication skills while learning to execute complex maneuvers on a larger, more stable vessel. The Keelboat Race Team will participate in the weekly club racing at SNSYC. Price: $225 per month Sessions: Sundays from 9:45am-3:45 pm for 4 weeks. Ideal For: Sailors ages 12+ with basic sailing experience. No prior keelboat experience required. For more information, visit our Race Team page! |
PRIVATE LESSONS
Accelerate your learning and target specific skills with Private Lessons at SNSYC. Our personalized sessions are perfect for those seeking focused, one-on-one (or small group) instruction to rapidly improve their sailing proficiency. Whether you want to master a challenging maneuver, prepare for a specific certification, or simply gain confidence, our experienced instructors will tailor each session to your unique goals.
Price: $75 per hour per boat, with a minimum booking of 3 hours. *Lessons may be individual, or you are welcome to split the cost and bring a friend to share the experience*
Booking: To arrange your private lessons and discuss your specific needs, please contact our Sailing School Manager directly.
Ideal For: Individuals seeking customized, accelerated learning.
KEELBOAT LESSONS
Discover the world of larger boats with our Keelboat Lessons! Perfect for those looking to expand their sailing horizons, whether you're a complete beginner, a dinghy sailor ready to 'upgrade,' or a crew member aspiring to become a confident skipper. Using the Capri 25, our own 'easy to handle' keelboat, these instructional and familiarization lessons will cover getting the boat ready, leaving the dock, effective boat handling, understanding points of sail, anchoring, on-board safety, how to return to the dock, and how to maintain composure in various situations.
Price: $75 per hour, with a minimum booking of 3 hours. *Lessons may be individual, or you are welcome to split the cost and bring up to 3 friends to share the experience*
Booking: To arrange your keelboat lessons and discuss your specific needs, please contact our Sailing School Manager directly.
Ideal For: Sailors interested in transitioning to larger boats or gaining experience on keelboats.
FUNSail
Supervised open-sailing sessions for those who already know how to sail and rig a dinghy. These are non-instructional sessions to practice, enjoy the water, and connect with other sailors in a relaxed environment.
Price:
· $20 per person for non-members.
· $10 per person for Senior, Social and Intermediate members.
· Junior Members are free!
· Attendees of camp programs can attend the FUNSail at no cost during the camps they are registered for.
Sessions: Fridays from 5:30 pm - 8:30pm. Starting from July 3 - September 4, 2026
Ideal For: Sailors with existing sailing knowledge looking for casual, and more sailing time.
ABLE SAILING
Our inclusive Able Sail program with partnership from Able Sail Victoria, offers individuals with disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy and freedom of sailing. Our specialized boats and trained volunteers ensure a safe, accessible, and empowering experience on the water.
Price: $30
Sessions: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, various time slots.
Ideal For: Individuals of all ages with disabilities seeking accessible sailing instruction and opportunities.
Registration for Able Sailing can be found at Able Sailing Registration
More information about Able Sailing can be found at Able Sail Victoria
Registration Information
Ready to set sail? Register below
Sailing School RegistrationFinancial Assistance is available for families who need it. Please contact us for details.
Cancellation Policy:
A full program refund will be issued 3 weeks prior to the start of an SNSYC program. A pro-rated refund, less $50, will be issued to those who must cease attendance after a course has commenced due to unanticipated illness (upon receipt of certification by a doctor) or other extenuating circumstances such as family emergency, as deemed satisfactory to the SNSYC Executive. SNSYC reserves the right to cancel a program for any reason without prior notice. In this case, full refund is given. SNSYC will not be responsible for refunds on airline flights, hotel reservations, or other incidental fees incurred in conjunction with the program.
- All courses are subject to a minimum enrolment. If placed on a waitlist, interest in enrolment is assumed. Should a vacancy arise, automatic enrolment in the course will take place and the cancellation and enrolment policy takes into effect.
- The Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club carries a portfolio of general liability insurance policies but does not cover students for personal injury.
Participant Waiver: SNSYC Participant Waiver.pdf *Must be signed and returned by all participants prior to going on the water*
For more info contact Brooke Jangula, Sailing School Manager sailingschool@snsyc.ca