Our Learn to Sail Programs
For more than 100 years, one of the key mandates of the RKYC has been to promote the sport of sailing. One of the more important ways we do this is through our Learn to Sail Programs. We have several learn to sail programs that are targeted at different age groups including: CANSail Wet Feet - fun, introductory sailing program for children (ages 6 to 8), Junior Sailing (ages 7 to 17) and our Adult Learn to Sail program (ages 17 and up).
Courses meet SailCanada standards emphasizing safety, theory, boat handling and sportsmanship and are taught by Sail Canada qualified instructors who are in attendance at all times, both on land and on the water.
Register for Youth Learn to Sail Programs
Register for Adult Learn to Sail
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Contact the RKYC Office at 506 632-0186 or office@rkyc.ca for more information
CANSail Wet Feet (ages 6 to 8)
CANSail's Wetfeet is a sailing and boating introductory program that is specific to 6-8 year olds. The curriculum, lesson plans and teaching methods are specific to engaging this young group (fun and play oriented) while at the same time effective at teaching them about sailing boats, water safety, and fundamental movement and balance skills in Optimist Dinghies and dockside. Students can seamlessly move up to the Optimist Sailing Program when ready.
When signing up please note that CANSail Wetfeet & Junior Sailing are taught together or as part of the same class so your child will be placed appropriately regardless of program selection.
2023 Course Dates: We offer two two-week courses starting June 26 & Aug. 7.
Time: Courses run from 8:45 to 4:15 - Monday to Friday
Cost: We try to keep costs a low as possible:
- Members: $400 (for two weeks)
- Non-Members: $450 (for two weeks)
- A 10% rebate will be applied for students taking 2 or more (2 week) sessions.
- $35.00 cancellation fee if not accompanied by a medical excuse
NOTE: Students with "demonstrated financial need" may be eligible for P.R.O. Kids Assistance.
Certificates will be issued on the last day of each session.
Learn to Sail Program (ages 7 to 17)
Our instructors are trained and certified by Sail Canada to teach I CAN Sail and CANSail levels 1 through 6.
When signing up please note that CANSail Wetfeet & Junior Sailing are taught together or as part of the same class so your child will be placed appropriately regardless of program selection.
2023 Course Dates: We offer two week courses starting June 26, July 10, July 24, and August 7.
Time: Courses run from 8:45 to 4:15 - Monday to Friday
Cost: We try to keep costs a low as possible:
- Members: $400 (for two weeks)
- Non-Members: $450 (for two weeks)
- A 10% rebate will be applied for students taking 2 or more (2 week) sessions.
- $35.00 cancellation fee if not accompanied by a medical excuse
Students who bring their own boat will receive a $20.00 reduction in fees per two-week course.
NOTE: Students with "demonstrated financial need" may be eligible for P.R.O. Kids Assistance.
Certificates will be issued on the last day of each session.
RKYC Race Team
RKYC Race Team (Minimum Cansail 2 completed or equivalent evaluation by coach) – Be part of the exciting sport of sailboat racing and participate in regattas around the province. For sailors who have also registered for at least one Learn to Sail session. Includes coaching one night/week and coaching at New Brunswick Regattas.
Cost: We try to keep costs a low as possible:
- Members: $165 in addition to LTS fees
- Members: $325 if LTS course not taken in 2023
- Non-Members: $195 in addition to LTS fees
- Non-Members: $375 if LTS course not taken in 2023
- $35.00 cancellation fee if not accompanied by a medical excuse
NOTE: Students with "demonstrated financial need" may be eligible for P.R.O. Kids Assistance
Adult Learn to Sail Program (ages 17 and up)
We also have Learn to Sail programs for adults. This course is an 8 week adventure that gets beginner and intermediate level sailors out on the water and having fun.
This course makes use the club's 420 fleet (small, agile traditionally-rigged sailboats) for learning how to "feel" and master the wind and we also have a Tanzer 26 and a C&C 26 that allows beginners to see how their skills transfer to larger keelboat vessels.
This is a great course to take if you're contemplating purchasing a sailboat and you don't know how to sail or are unsure of your sailing skills.
2023 Course Dates: Tuesday evenings (the Tuesday Course) beginning June 27 (8 Tuesdays), and Thursday evenings (the Thursday Course) beginning June 29 (8 Thursdays). Max 20 participants
Time: 6:30 to 9:30
Cost:
- Members: $350 plus HST
- Non-Members: $400 plus HST
- $35.00 cancellation fee if not accompanied by a medical excuse
The Boats
Our sailing fleet consists of eleven 420’s, seven Optimists, one Tanzer 26 (Jovial) and one C&C 26 (Syringa).
The backbone of our Learn to Sail program is the 420 - so named because it is 420 centimeters long. Originally designed as a "step up" boat for the 470 (its larger cousin), the 420 is a two-person, sloop rigged (stayed mast with jib sail and mainsail) mono-hull. Although, the 420 is an exciting boat to sail as it can "plane" when the wind pipes up, its fairly conservative sail area will not overwhelm beginning sailors. The 420 also has the same sails and sail adjustments of larger sailing vessels, allowing for an easy transfer of skills to the bigger boats that are popular on the river system.
The Optimist class is well suited for children who are too small to handle the 420’s (Optimists are ideal for children in the 6-12 year and 77-110 lb range.) and the C&C 26 and Tanzer 26 are perfect for introducing children and adults to big boat or keel-boat sailing.
Supplies suggested for the Learn to Sail programs include:
- Transport Canada approved life jacket (Mandatory) with name marked on front Left chest area
- Change of clothing and footwear (Mandatory)
- Quick dry shoes, old sneakers or sailing boots (Mandatory)
- Lunch and snacks and water (refillable container). (Mandatory) Please mark name on lunchbag and water bottle.
- UV sunglasses with safety lanyard; Sun-hat
- Appropriate sunscreen
- Bathing suit and a towel
- Rain gear if inclement weather predicted (with name)
- Sailing manuals (Available at a reasonable cost)
