Youth Programs Frequently Asked Questions

The Basics

Notice

  • We will no longer be running our WetFeet program, however, we have decided to lower our minimum age requirement for CanSail 1 & 2 to eight years old. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

How long is each session?

  • Each session is two weeks long, Monday to Friday, 9 am-4 pm. There will be staff present from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm but we don’t have a formal “before camp” morning program.

How much does each level cost per session?

  • Can Sail 1-2 $550 per two-week session

  • Can Sail 3-4 $550 per two-week session

  • Can Sail 5-6 $575 per two-week session (regatta fees not included)

  • Adult Sailing Program $400

  • Race Team Pre-Season $200

  • Opti Team Pre-Season $75

How many sessions are there in the season?

  • There are four two-week sessions over the season; two in July, and two in August.

Are there age requirements for sailing school?

  • The minimum age for sailing school requires the sailor to be turning 8 years old in the current calendar year. We have students up to 17 years old.

Can you join the sailing school if you have no experience?

  • No sailing experience is required for the sailing program, however, comfort around the water and maturity is encouraged.

What types of boats do you sail?

  • Our beginner levels sail Club 420s. They are a 4.2m sailboat with two sails (with a spinnaker option) and fit 3-4 sailors.

  • Our “Wet Feet” program uses Optimist sailing dinghies.

What is a typical day like?

  • Each day starts at 9 am beginning with games and a classroom lesson. Boats are rigged and the students are briefed for their on-water activities. Sailors are usually on the water from 10:15 am until 11:45 am. Lunch is held between 12-1 pm and often involves a supervised trip to the park for a swim. Sailing school resumes at 1 pm with a classroom lesson. Students are again on water from 1:45-3:30. The day ends at 4 pm, once all equipment is put away.

What should my child bring to sail in/sail with?

  • Lifejacket, closed-toed shoes, bathing suit, hat, sunscreen, towel, change of clothes, appropriate clothing for the weather (rain jacket and rain pants, sweatshirt), lunch, lock... avoid valuables, please!

What type of lifejacket should I purchase for my child?

  • A lifejacket should fit the child according to weight and chest measurements. It should be in good condition (no mold, tares, broken buckles, or zippers), and should be a bright color. It should be a lifejacket your child wants to wear as they will be in it for several hours every day.

Where will my child store their gear?

  • We have individual lockers for the students to use. Please bring a lock for the locker as the Club is not responsible for the loss of stolen items.

How long are they on water?

  • Typical water times vary depending on the child’s level. A normal day on water includes ~1.5 hours in the morning and ~2+ in the afternoon (between 3-4 hours per day).

What are the levels?

  • Wet Feet Program:  a fun introduction to sailing for young sailors aged 6 to 9.  Sailors learn parts of the boat, balance, safety, how to work the tiller, and begin to sail in a more controlled environment in front of our club. This has become a very popular addition to our programming at the Brockville Yacht Club Sailing School. Our Wet Feet instructors have specific training working with our younger athletes.

  • CanSail 1, 2 Basic sailing skills. Students learn water safety, the parts of the boat, how to rig and de-rig a boat, sailing terminology, basic crewing skills, basic helming skills, wind and weather patterns, local hazards, and capsize recovery.

  • CanSail 3 and 4 Advanced sailing skills. Students will learn advanced helming skills, will sail in conditions up to 14 knots, advanced wind, and weather patterns, trapeze, the physics behind sailing (CE/CLR, slot, draft, sail controls), rudderless sailing, backward sailing, and will incorporate a third sail (spinnaker).

  • CanSail 5 and 6 Students in the program will learn different types of racecourses, starting signals, and race tactics, and will practice racing and advanced boat handling in conditions up to 18 knots. Students in this program compete in out-of-town regattas and have the option of racing their own personal boat.

Are levels assigned based on skill or age?

  • Skill- Students must demonstrate a series of skills consistently and comfortably according to Sail Canada Standards to achieve a level. If you have no experience, you will enter the CanSail 1 level.

How many sessions is my child required to do in order to get a level?

  • Even if a student has completed the level, they always have the option to return to the program. Students who do not feel comfortable moving up (to the CanSail 3, 4, or CanSail 5, 6 Programs) can remain at their current level and will learn new skills.

  • It is important to note that levels are not given out for session completion but for skill completion. CanSail levels are awarded when a student shows all the skills for that level

What will my child be learning?

  • Your child will learn the CanSail curriculum for the specific level as well as important life skills like communication, leadership, teamwork, and water safety. Please refer to the FAQ regarding CanSail levels for the breakdown of the curriculum.

What’s with the tests?

  • Written tests are given every session to determine the sailor’s knowledge and see how much they have learned. The tests are based on the CanSail Curriculum taught throughout the session. The CanSail handbooks are a great learning tool to supplement our daily lessons. Students’ knowledge is tested in a variety of ways throughout the session; the written test is only one component.

Is lunch provided?

  • No. Students are expected to bring their own lunch or a note to leave the property to buy lunch. Lunch service is available from the BYC Bar with sandwiches and salads at an additional cost. Orders must be placed by 10 am on the day of.

What happens on BBQ Days?

  • If the student wants to participate in BBQ Day, please bring $5. For $5, the student can choose from a hotdog or hamburger and a number of different drinks at lunch. BBQ day happens once per 2-week session on the first Wednesday.

What if my child has allergies?

  • Please make the instructors aware of the specific allergy, and any first aid which should be administered, and provide an EpiPen for the instructors to carry if it may be necessary.

What happens on rainy days?

  • We will sail even on rainy days, so please provide your child with appropriate weather gear (waterproof jacket, change of clothes, sweatshirt). However, if there is lightning, we will not sail. In the event of inclement weather such as a thunderstorm, we will arrange indoor activities for the students.

My child is not a strong swimmer, should I be concerned?

  • Lifejackets are worn at all times when the students are in the sail or powerboats; therefore, the student should feel comfortable swimming in a lifejacket. For swimming activities at the park and the club, lifejackets are not necessary. Please speak to an instructor if you have concerns over a student’s swimming ability.

What is the awards banquet?

  • Occurs on the last Friday of the last session. It is a semi-formal affair where the accomplishments of the students are recognized. Students are given certificates for levels they have achieved, and trophies are awarded for outstanding performances. There is a dance to follow after the awards which is always a blast! Attendance is encouraged!

Will, my child make friends?

  • Yes! Sailing School is a great way to meet friends and we provide a positive and welcoming environment.

Who teaches the programs?

  • Our sailing school is taught by a group of Sail Canada Certified Sailing Instructors. They have been specifically trained to coach land lessons and water sessions and handle emergency situations. All of our instructors are trained in first aid and boat rescue and have a number of years of experience within our program and in a variety of sailing settings. They have a wealth of knowledge to share with the students.

Where can I sign up?

  • Online Forms are available on our website (click here). Forms can also be picked up at the BYC Main Office and in the Sailing School Office after June 1st.

When should I register?

  • As early as possible as spaces do fill up quickly. To ensure your best selection of sessions, please return the form and payment by June 1st.

CanSail 5 and 6/Race Team Questions

Do you need to have your own boat for silver?

  • No, you need not have your own boat for silver. Students can use our club 420s for the silver program, however, there are a limited number of spots available for this purpose. If single-handed sailing is desired, providing your own boat is required.

Are regattas included in the Silver Fee?

  • No. At this time, the expenses for out-of-town regattas are extra to the registration fee.

What type of parental involvement is expected in the Silver Program?

  • Because our racers travel outside of Brockville for regattas, parents are needed to drive students and sailboats to regattas.

Must you attend regattas in the Silver Program?

  • In order to meet the requirements of the Silver 6 program as set out by the CYA, the student must complete a minimum of fifteen individual races in a regatta setting. One regatta usually holds 5-6 races.

What types of boats are recommended for Silver?

  • If you are considering purchasing a boat for your silver sailor, common boats raced at regattas include Lasers, Laser Radials, Bytes, Byte C2, 420s, 29ers, and Optimists. The boat should fit the racer. Please consult your instructor for more information.

Adult Sailing Questions

How long is each session?

  • Our adult sailing program runs from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm Mondays and Wednesdays for 8 sessions in the summer.

Can you join the adult sailing school with no experience?

  • The course is geared toward adults with no previous experience.

What is a typical day like?

  • Each evening starts at 4:30 pm, boats are rigged and the students are briefed for their on-water activities. Sailors are usually on the water from 5 pm until 7:00 pm. Some evenings will be dedicated to classroom learning and some will be split between the classroom and on water. Students are responsible for proper boat care at the end of each evening.

How long are you on water?

  • Typical water times will vary depending on the lesson plan for the evening. On the water, time is stressed along with a balance of sailing theory.

What should I wear?   

  • A Swimsuit with shorts and a tee shirt is what most adult sailors wear along with closed-toe water shoes or tiva-style sandals.

Do I need a life jacket?

  • Yes, you need to bring your own life jacket.

 

What boats do we learn in? 

  • Our adult sailors learn in Club 420 sailboats. They are two-person boats that are 4.2 m long.

 

What if we capsize? 

  • As part of the summer instruction, you will learn how to recover from a capsize. There are trained instructors with coach boats to help also if anyone runs into trouble.

 

What if there is thunder or no wind? 

  • We build in “make-up” days at the end of the summer if a session is called off.