Learn to Sail
The Sail Canada CANSail Program is designed to provide a solid introduction to sailing. Our program is taught by certified Sail Canada instructors who have life saving and first aid certificates. Emphasis is on safety, fun and a great learning experience.
Lessons
Lessons | 15 hours - from $179 per person |
Private Lessons | 10 hours - $199.00 per person |
Semi-Private Lessons | 10 hours - $130 per person |
Discovery Sail
Enjoy a two hour introduction to sailing with our certified instructor.
$39.00 per person
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CanSail Levels 1
Introduction to sailing. CANSail 1 teaches students the fundamental sailing skills including basic sheeting, steering, and boat handling on all points of sail. Students can sail within defined boundaries set by an instructor.
Boats
Optimist dinghies are used for ages 7 to 13.
Laser dinghies are used for ages 12 and over.
Albacores are a two or three person dinghy, with trapeze and spinnaker suitable for youth to adult.
Class Size
Are limited to a maximum of 6 students per half day session.
Registration is on a “first come” basis. Early registration will ensure a spot.
Lesson Cost $199.00
CanSail Levels 2
Basic sailing. CANSail 2 teaches students to adjust their bodies and boats for changes in direction and wind speed while sailing, and to perform boat-handling maneuvers in a controlled manner while in a controlled setting.
Boats
Optimist dinghies are used for ages 7 to 13.
Laser dinghies are used for ages 12 and over.
Albacores are a two or three person dinghy, with trapeze and spinnaker suitable for
youth to adult.
Class Size
Are limited to a maximum of 6 students per half day session.
Registration is on a “first come” basis. Early registration will ensure a spot.
Lesson Cost $199.00
CanSail Levels 3
Intermediate sailing. CANSail 3 teaches students to integrate the fundamental boat handling maneuvers and balance with basic tactics and strategy as well as applied sail trim. Students are exposed to a greater variety of conditions and participate in a club race or club training camp.
Boats
Optimist dinghies are used for ages 7 to 13.
Laser dinghies are used for ages 12 and over.
Albacores are a two or three person dinghy, with trapeze and spinnaker suitable for youth to adult.
Class Size
Are limited to a maximum of 6 students per half day session.
Registration is on a “first come” basis. Early registration will ensure a spot.
Lesson Cost $199.00
CanSail Levels 4
Advanced sailing. CANSail 4 teaches students to perform advanced boat handling maneuvers in a variety of conditions. Students can successfully execute maneuvers in competitive settings and for tactical and strategic purposes. Sailors participate in a one to two-day local regatta.
Boats
Optimist dinghies are used for ages 7 to 13.
Laser dinghies are used for ages 12 and over.
Albacores are a two or three person dinghy, with trapeze and spinnaker suitable for youth to adult.
Class Size
Are limited to a maximum of 6 students per half day session.
Registration is on a “first come” basis. Early registration will ensure a spot.
Lesson Cost $199.00
Cruising Lessons by Prairie Ocean Cruising
This program provides the newcomer with a taste of what cruising under sail is all about. It is an opportunity to experience first hand what sailing is about without committing to a full Learn to Cruise Program. The program can be shared as a couple, or a group. You and your friends or associates will spend the day cruising aboard a sailing yacht with the opportunity to experience many aspects of operating the vessel.
Your CYA certified instructors are veteran sailors with extensive and varied experience. You will be able to draw on their knowledge and experience to gain insight into cruising, boat selection, boat operation, chartering and provisioning. The educational components of the program will include basic terminology, the language of sailing, readying the vessel and getting under way, basic sailing both as helmsman and crew.
Courses include:
- Introduction to Cruising
- Basic Cruising
- Liveaboard Intermediate Cruising
- Single Handed Sailing
- Boating Certificates, PCO
- Seminars and Special Instruction
- ROC(M) VHF Radio Operators Certificate
- See Programs Schedules and Rates
QUESTIONS
Learn to Sail a Dinghy at Gimli
Frequently Asked Questions
- Notebook and pen (Laser and Albacore classes only)
- Hat, sun block, rain jacket, swim suit and towel
- Change of clothes and shoes (one pair of shoes must be close toed and able to get wet)
- Bottled water
- DOT approved life jacket (A life jacket will be provided if a participant does not have one.)
- Optional: chapstick, snack and sunglasses
- Optional workbooks that align with the CanSail programs can be ordered when registering for lessons.
- Workbook for CanSail 1 & 2 $13.00
- Picturebook for sailors under 8 $11.00
All students that have successfully complete CanSail1 are encouraged to participate in the annual Commodore's Cup Dinghy Regatta on Sunday, September 1st.
In conjunction with Gimli Recreation Services, students 12 and under can participate in a 1/2 day of sailing followed by a 1/2 day in a typical summer camp session. Great for working parents and bored children!
Sailing is dependent upon the weather, especially for new sailors. If the lessons do not make it out onto the water for at least three days of the 5 days, the student will receive a credit for future lessons.
All areas are assessed based on further development required by the student or they are performing the task consistently.
Balance
- Sail using the correct body positioning/posture
- Adjust body to keep boat flat
Sail Trim
- Trim sails accurately while sailing to a point
- Luff tell tales fly more than 50% of the time
- Luff sails to depower
- Trim sails for a close hauled course for 5 minutes
Direction
- Steer to keep tell tales flying while sailing
- Sail within defined boundaries
- Control steering with intentional movements
- Identify and sail within 3 boat lengths of a point
- Man oeuvre to avoid boats and hazards
Head Up
- Head up to close hauled from any point of sail
- Trim mainsail using double handed sheeting
- Steer boat smoothly while heading up
- Keep boat flat while heading up
Bear Off
- Bear off from a close hauled course
- Ease sails while bearing off
- Steer boat smoothly while bearing off
- Keep boat flat while bearing off
Tack
- Check for other boats before tacking
- Communicate tack to sailing partner/other boats
- Tack from gunwale to gunwale
- Crew switches jib as front 1/3 of sail backs
- Cross boat facing forward with aft foot first
- Helm sits on new gunwale and straightens out boat
- Helm switches tiller after tack is complete
Gybe
- Check for other boats before gybing
- Communicate gybe to sailing partner/other boats
- Crew switches jib as it backs
- Helm pre-gybes the tiller extension
- Helm straightens course as boom crosses boat
- Cross boat facing forward with aft foot first
- Helm switches tiller after gybe is complete
- Gybe boom as wind crosses leech of main
Stop
- Stop boat intentionally by easing sails
- Stop boat intentionally by steering into irons
- Slow boat while sailing downwind
Go/Accelerate
- Trim sails to accelerate from a stop
- Skull to close reach from irons
Seamanship
- Launch a boat safely out of the sailing facility
- Dock or land a boat safely at the sailing facility
- Rig sails, foils, and control lines on training boat
- Identify wind direction while sailing
- Right a capsized boat
- Select appropriate clothing and PFD for sailing
- Receive and secure a tow line and tow behind coach boat
Physical Literacy
- Store a water bottle in training dinghy each day
SAIL LAKE WINNIPEG: A CRUISING GUIDE
Learn To Sail Sponsors
GIMLI YACHT CLUB
95 1st Ave
Gimli MB
204-642-5961
Club Hours
-
Mon – Wed
7:00 am – 8:00 pm -
Thu – Sun
9:00 am – 6:00 pm
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