Learn to Cruise this year with Gibsons Sailing School
We offer the following courses leading to Canadian Yachting Association Certification:
Introduction to Boating:
Enjoy a half or full day sailing in the protected waters of Collingwood Channel while learning about safe afloat procedures on a cruising sailboat. If you are attracted to the idea of sail boating, but are not sure if sail boating is for you, this is your opportunity.
Basic Cruising Standard (Day Skipper):
Intended for beginners with little or no knowledge of sailing, the basic course will teach you the necessary afloat skills to charter a boat for day sailing. A certificate can be awarded for your competency as either Crew or Skipper for day operations of a cruising sailboat in protected waters. This can be earned in 4 individual days of sailing out of Gibsons Harbour, or alternatively on a 5 day Cruise & Learn. A Basic Cruising Manual is provided and there is a written examination and evaluation of afloat skills. While there is no pre-requisite, it would be an advantage to have taken a Canadian Power & Sail Squadron (CPSS) Basic Boating Course to obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
Intermediate Cruising Standard (Bareboat Skipper):
Intended for Basic Certificate holders or others with some sailing experience, this Five Day Cruise & Learn course teaches how to cruise the Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast safely by day to destinations for overnight mooring or anchoring. A Cruise & Learn Manual is provided and there is a written examination and continuous evaluation of practical skills development. The students gain experience in handling and managing a heavier long range cruising vessel. This is normally accepted as the qualification for multi day bareboat charters. Basic certification is normally a pre-requisite, and it would be an advantage to have taken CPSS Navigation and Marine Radio courses. A First Aid Course is also recommended.
Course Itinerary, Fees, & Availability:
Introduction to Boating:
This can be scheduled any time the boats and instructors are free from other course commitments. The fee depends on the vessel used and number of persons, starting at $250 for a half day on the Grampian 28ft.
Basic Cruising Standard:
Basic level day sailing courses are offered April through September and include four days of teaching afloat skills in a 28 ft cruising sailboat
Day One: Dockside Familiarization and Safety Orientation, Casting Off, Operation Under Power, Raising and Lowering Sails, Docking Under Power.
Day Two: Sailing Operations, Points of Sail, Correct Sail Setting and Sail Trim
Day Three: Person Overboard Rescue, Anchoring, Heaving To, Reefing, Written Exam
Day Four: Exam review, Afloat Skills Evaluation. Completion of Certification
Daily format: Each day consists of 3 hour morning and afternoon sessions with a one hour lunch break. Bring a packed lunch as lunch breaks will be at dockside or at anchor.
Fees: Fees start at $549, with a maximum of 4 persons per course. Alternatively, Basic Level Certification may also be obtained on a Five Day Cruise & Learn.
Intermediate Cruising Standard:
These courses are conducted by Instructor John Roper on the Seabird 37ft Cutter Mistress in April, May & June and include 5 days and 5 nights living on board while cruising a 125 mile route through the Gulf Islands or along the Sunshine Coast After arriving in Gibsons and spending a night on board at Gibsons Marina, the next morning you may sail from Gibsons across the Strait of Georgia and through a tidal pass to visit Telegraph Harbour, Montague Harbour, Genoa Bay, or other destinations in the Gulf Islands. These sheltered channels and islands with numerous marinas and anchorages provide an ideal learning environment. Alternatively you may cruise along the Sunshine Coast to Pender Harbour and visit several anchorages near Nelson Island in Jervis Inlet. Students prepare the planning and perform the navigation for each day's travel, taking account of tides and weather, to arrive at the desired destination. The course normally concludes with arrival back at Gibsons by mid afternoon of the fifth day. Much more information is found on the website for Mistress www.sailcruise.net
Fees and Dates: The fee is $919 per person with 3 persons per course. Other fees apply for semi private or groups of 4. Courses are scheduled twice monthly, Monday through Friday, mid March through mid July You may contact John at jeroper@telus.net or by phone to 604-886-0540 for current information on fees and available dates.
Gibsons Sailing School Standards
While Gibsons Sailing School has established administrative and instructional standards, instructors are independent contractors and are directly responsible to their students for course content, delivery, fees and schedules. On registering for a course and paying the applicable fee or deposit, your instructor will send a course manual for advance self study. On successful completion your instructor will provide the applicable Canadian Yachting Association Certificate and Logbook.
General Booking Policy: A 30% deposit is required for booking. The 70% balance is to be paid prior to the course starting date (in the case of Cruise & Learn, 1 month prior). If you need to cancel for any reason the 30% deposit would be retained, but if the 70% balance had been paid, it would be refunded. In the remote possibility that the Instructor would have to cancel there will be a full refund, but the instructor will not be responsible for any travel related or other consequential costs, and trip cancellation insurance is recommended if you are concerned about this.
Discounts: Instructors may give you an early booking discount you book 10 weeks or more in advance. Courses are often booked months in advance and early booking is recommended to get preferred dates. There may also be discounts for Power Squadron, Canadian Coastguard and Yacht Club Members.
Insurance Standard: Gibsons Sailing School requires that every instructor is in possession of current Canadian Yachting Association Registration and Instructor Liability Insurance. In addition Gibsons Sailing School requires that every vessel also carries liability insurance that covers its use for CYA Instruction.
