Instructors
The Best Instructors Teach Here
Certified by Sail Canada, Canada’s national sailing organization, which sets rigorous standards. Course candidates receive training in the areas of:
- Professionalism
- Skill assessment and correction, specific to entry-level participants
- Effective interventions and teaching methods for application to introductory and first experience programming
- Program delivery training according to the principles of the Fundamental Stage of the Long Term Sailor Development (LTSD) framework
- Use of emergency action plans (EAPs)
- Providing a safe environment, fun atmosphere, and active experiences on land and on water
- Communication of progress to participants and parents
- CANSail course curriculum and instructor resources
Prerequisites For Instructors:
(These must be completed as a condition of being accepted into a Sail Canada course leading to becoming a sailing Coach)
CANSail 4 or higher is recommended (formerly CYA Bronze IV Certificate and Seal)
CANSail Boat Safety or Boat Rescue or Sea Cadets Small Craft Rescue or a Swimming Award such as Bronze Cross, Bronze Medallion, NLS
First Aid (Minimum Emergency Level)
Pleasure Craft Operator Card
CANSail Fundamental Course (formerly CYA Fundamental Course)
CANSail national certification training and testing, must be completed, in the classroom, on the water, and in the coaching role, before the instructor is certified.
Racing coaches must meet additional standards before being certified.
Meet Our Instructors
Drew Ambeau
Club Manager
For the past five years, I have been coaching at the Barrie Yacht Club, where I have cultivated a deep passion for providing foundational sailing experiences. My primary focus is on enhancing sailors’ skills and knowledge. Additionally, I have had the privilege of managing a dedicated team of highly skilled coaches who consistently surpass expectations. The Barrie Yacht Club is renowned for shaping young sailors into proficient and accomplished athletes while also developing highly capable coaches.
Ethan Astri
Race Team Coach
I started sailing when I was nine and have been in love with it ever since. I raced for two years on the BYC 420 race team, and am now returning for my second year as an instructor. Now I have the pleasure of spending my summers on the water, sharing my love for the sport with the great kids in the sailing summer camp.
Head Coach
I began my sailing career at the Barrie Yacht Club where I was a camper for six years. I moved to Manitoba, joined Team Manitoba, and started racing the 29er. I received a provincial award of merit and I represented Manitoba in Canada Summer Games 2022. I’m excited to return to Barrie and help the next generation of sailors reach their goals. This will be my fourth year coaching and I’m excited to share all my knowledge and racing experience with all the sailors this year.
CANSail 3/4 Coach
Nine years ago, my parents put me in the BYC’s sailing summer camp. In two weeks I went from knowing nothing about sailing to falling in love with the sport… and I haven’t been able to stop since! This will be my fifth year instructing and I can’t wait. Being out on the water is my favourite place to be, and I’m super excited to help others fall in love with sailing as I did!
CANSail 1/2 Coach
5 years ago my mom put me into the BYC sailing camp and it was arguably one of the most fun/beneficial decisions she has ever made. The first week of camp was tough; learning new things is not always easy, but as soon as I got the hang of the boat, it was awesome. Throughout the years I have never had a bad experience, and have learned more that I could have possibly imagined. I am now very lucky to get to sail my own 29er, and hopefully take it into a couple of races. Sailing is a sport like no other, and I am thrilled to be able to be coaching something I love doing.
CANSail 1/2 Coach
CANSail 3/4 Coach
I began my sailing career at the Barrie Yacht Club where I was a camper for six years. I moved to Manitoba, joined Team Manitoba, and started racing the 29er. I received a provincial award of merit and I represented Manitoba in Canada Summer Games 2022. I’m excited to return to Barrie and help the next generation of sailors reach their goals. This will be my fourth year coaching and I’m excited to share all my knowledge and racing experience with all the sailors this year.
CANSail 1/2 Coach
Sailing has been the highlight of my summer since I was 10 years old. The BYC has always been a fun place and the perfect way to spend the summer break outside! Everyone is so friendly and encouraging. I hope that I can help create amazing experiences, similar to the ones I had as a camper.
CANSail 1/2 Coach
I started sailing when I was about 8 years old. At first I was shy and scared of the sport, but my instructors helped me make new friends and they all helped me get over my fear of sailing. Now I am an older, stronger person. I have learned to love the sport and have built relationships with everybody at the BYC. Now I hope to spread the experiences of sailing to new faces and introduce them to the world of sailing!
CANSail 2 Coach
Hello, my name is Michael. I started sailing at the BYC when I was twelve. Later I joined the 420 race team. I really loved the camp experience, I loved playing the camp games and having fun with others off the water. More importantly I loved sailing. The BYC always had coaches that encouraged me to do my best on and off the water. I hope to make every camper feel supported and excited to get out on the water. Sailing is my passion and I plan to share that!