Gimli Yacht Club

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

IN A GROUP

6-7 STUDENTS
15 hours - from $179 per person

PRIVATE & SEMI-PRIVATE

1-2 STUDENTS
8 hours - $199.00 per person

DISCOVERY SAIL

DINGHY
A two hour introduction to sailing - $39 per person

Our 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, suitable for youth to adult

CanSail Levels

CanSail 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.
CanSail 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.
CanSail 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.
CanSail 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.

Expectations

CanSail 1 & 2 - most students will require approx. 24 hours of instruction to obtain a level. CanSail level 3 & 4 often take additional time depending upon the student’s opportunity to sail outside of lesson time.
Sailing is a very weather dependent sport. If the wind is stronger than 10 knots (white caps are just starting) CanSail levels 1 & 2 are unlikely to go on the water by themselves.

The instructors will keep the students busy with other sailing related activities such as tying knots, theory and whiteboard discussions and circle games. Should the participants not be on the water for 2 out of 5 days, we will provide a credit for future lessons.
While we accept 7 year olds into our sailing program, we recommend age 8 as an appropriate age to begin the CanSail Level 1 program.
All young sailors are required to wear helmets in our program. If you do not have your own, we have hard shell helmets designed for water use.

QUESTIONS

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Learn to Sail a Dinghy at Gimli

Frequently Asked Questions

What will you need?

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

Fees

The fee for one week of ½ day sessions is $179.00 plus gst after discounts.

Sailing Instruction Manuals

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

Bad Weather

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.

CANSail Requirements

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

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