The Summer Sailing School offers kids of all ages the chance to experience the thrills of sailing, while teaching safety on the water. Young people under 19 years of age are also encouraged to join the Club as Junior Members. A broader program for Juniors is being offered in 2011 that will give young sailors a variety of sailing options beyond the Summer Sailing School activities. These include dinghy racing and a fun sail program, as well as member privileges accorded to Junior Members.

For more information, contact Patrick at (250) 537-7722.

REGISTRATION

Three options
Three options:
1. Register online (after May 28)
2. Download forms and mail them in
3. Pick up forms at school offices, Royal Lepage Realty, or Sports Traders. Mail or return to Sports Traders in Ganges.

Registration takes place on a first-come, first-served basis but Sailing Club members and their children/grandchildren are allowed to register early. Registration is possible up until the class starts, if spaces are available.

As a further option, payment can be made by Credit Card over the telephone by calling Patrick Beattie at (250) 538-1761.

OPEN HOUSE

An open house and registration day will be held at the club on Saturday, May 8, 2011. This is an opportunity to meet instructors, check out the boats and equipment, and if weather permits take a short spin in one of the dinghies. Registrations will also be taken on this day at the Club.

THE SAILING PROGRAM

The program provides instruction in basic and advanced sailing skills for children and youth age 8 to 18, plus boating safety and marine ecosystems. We have a good fleet of dinghies and excellent instructors, all of whom are experienced and have taught courses here or at other clubs in previous years. The instructors are Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) certified and the classes are based on CYA standards, corresponding to Whitesail levels 1, 2 and 3 and Bronze 4 and 5.

Optimist dinghies are used for beginners, 8 years and up. Students must be able to swim. Optimist courses run for one week, Monday to Friday, including holidays. Those returning for a second or third year are given the opportunity to sail single-handed and also to sail Lasers where the student's skill level permits.

Students in the Whitesail and Bronze courses must be between the ages 11-18 inclusive, be able to swim 50 metres with a lifejacket on and be able to tread water for two minutes without a lifejacket. Laser and C420 dinghies are used in these courses. Courses are two weeks in duration, Monday to Friday, including statutory holidays, starting the first week of July and ending in mid to late August.

Courses run each weekday, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, regardless of statutory holidays



* If you have questions about courses or dates please contact the registrar.

NOTE:  one or two bursaries may be available to assist students who would otherwise be unable to attend.  Telephone 250-537-7722 for information.