Sailing School

The Barrie Yacht Club Sailing School is the largest on Lake Simcoe and has been teaching sailing for decades.

The BYC offers quality, affordable learn-to-sail programs designed for all levels and age groups using Sail Canada’s CANSail programming. With a variety of programs for youth and adults, including learning on dinghies, lasers and keelboats, our programs offer something for everyone. You do not need to be a club member to enroll.

Our program features Sail Canada certified instructors with an emphasis on practical sailing on the water as well as sailing theory, rigging and boat maintenance.

Some of our sailors have gone on to compete at the Provincial level, internationally and in the Olympics.

Begin or continue to learn and develop your passion for sailing at the BYC

Youth Sailing Lessons

BYC sailing school offers day camp, clinics and off-season training. Enrolling your child in our programs will allow them to work towards a CANSail level through the Ontario Sailing Association. You do not need to be a member to enrol in our sailing school.

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Adult Sailing Lessons & Courses

You do not need to be a member to enroll in our sailing school. All our instructors are fully qualified CANSail Instructors. Coaches have spent years training as sailors and achieved national instructor certification through Sail Canada. Certification includes everything from first aid, water safety, teaching, lesson planning, leadership, and most importantly sailing.

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Instructors

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