Licencing & General Courses

Basic Coastal Navigation

This introductory course offers basic knowledge of navigation theory and is the initial course in a comprehensive set of courses offered by Sail Canada on vessel navigation. The curriculum covers the role of the navigator and introduces the publications, aids to navigation, tools and techniques that support planning and safe passage making. The student is exposed to basic plotting and position-determination methods. This course covers information key to the effective use of electronics. The Sail Canada exam may be written at the conclusion of the course. The Basic Coastal Navigation course is a prerequisite for the Sail Canada Intermediate Cruising course and the Intermediate Coastal Navigation course. Parallel rules and dividers will be required for this course.

Basic Cruising Instructor Clinic Standard

This is one of the entry-level Instructor Development standards for sailors wishing to deliver Sail Canada practical on-water training in keelboats. Candidates successfully completing this accreditation and registering with Sail Canada will be certified to deliver training leading to Basic Cruising, Basic Crew, Start Keelboat Sailing and Introduction to Boating (Sail) standards and will be authorized to teach and examine for the Pleasure Craft Operator card. This clinic, leading to the Basic Cruising Instructor Standard focuses on developing coaching and instructional skills appropriate to the delivery of entry-level sail training and skipper skill and knowledge development. Candidate sailing, seamanship and boating skills will be evaluated as part of this clinic. This training is not intended to develop candidate sailing or boating skills. Candidates attending this clinic should be confident in their sailing skills and be able to consistently demonstrate skills at a Basic Cruising level. During the clinic, candidates will be coached on the development and delivery of lessons on water, at the dock and in the classroom. Sessions on curriculum planning and selection of content appropriate for this level of sail training, as well as the desired approach to student evaluation, will be incorporated into the activities that are part of this clinic. In addition to the materials provided by the Basic Cruising Instructors Resource Book and Candidate Workbook, there will be sessions led by the Instructor Evaluators (IEs) on teaching methods and techniques.

It is envisioned that this Standard be implemented in 42 hours. Further clinic time may be scheduled to evaluate and coach candidate presentation skills, and to evaluate candidate sailing. Candidates will need to allocate additional time to complete working papers, review materials and prepare for the clinic. Candidates may also need to commit additional time to complete required examinations.

Start Keelboat Sailing Instructor Clinic

This is one of the entry-level Instructor Development standards for sailors wishing to deliver Sail Canada practical on-water training in keelboats. Candidates successfully completing this accreditation and registering with Sail Canada will be certified to deliver training leading to the Start Keelboat Sailing and Introduction to Boating (Sail) standards. This clinic, leading to the Start Keelboat Sailing, Small Boat, Instructor Standard focuses on developing coaching and instructional skills appropriate to the delivery of entry-level sail training and crew development. Candidate sailing, seamanship and boating skills will be evaluated as part of this clinic. This training is not intended to develop the candidate’s sailing or boating skills. Candidates attending this clinic should be confident in their sailing skills and be able to consistently demonstrate skills at a Basic Cruising level. During the clinic, candidates will be coached on the development and delivery of lessons on water, at the dock and in the classroom.

It is envisioned that this Standard be implemented in 21 hours. Further clinic time may be scheduled to evaluate and coach the candidate’s presentation skills and to evaluate the candidate’s sailing. Candidates will need to allocate additional time to complete working papers, review materials and prepare for the clinic.

Objective: To prepare competent sailors to deliver Sail Canada-endorsed programs leading to the Start Keelboat Sailing Standard. At the end of this programs the successful candidate should have the basic tools to be ready to develop a curriculum and plan and deliver quality lessons that will build student skills and knowledge at the level of the Start Keelboat Sailing standard.

Basic Cruising Crossover Clinic

This clinic is limited to current Sail Canada Start Keelboat Sailing Instructors.

Successful Candidates are able to teach and certify the Introduction to Boating, Start Keelboat Sailing and Basic Cruising Standards as well as PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operator Card). At the course, you will receive intensive training in how to teach, plan lessons, and evaluate students. You will be evaluated on your practical boating and sailing skills on-water and dockside and theory knowledge through working papers as well as proctored examinations. Candidates should be current in their sailing skills and knowledge prior to entry into this clinic. The sailing evaluation demands above-average basic sailing skills and there is no time during the clinic for remedial work. Working papers that should be completed prior to the clinic cover topics including, local knowledge, safety equipment and regulations, Sail Canada practices, operation and maintenance of inboard and outboard engines, the marine head, and crew overboard procedures. Proctored examinations include Rules and Buoyage, Basic Cruising and PCOC. For more information, please review the Basic Cruising Instructor standard posted on the Sail Canada website.