CYC’s Junior Sailing Program is focused on providing instruction in a fun, safe and positive environment. Based on CANSail’s set of progressive learn-to-sail standards, we strive to teach practical theory and on-water skills while developing competent sailors with, hopefully, a lifelong love of the sport. Importantly, we want our sailors to have a safe and unforgettable summer on the beautiful waters of Mahone Bay.
Our summer sail training is open to the public as well as CYC members, and welcomes sailors from ages 5 to 17 years, experienced or not. The sessions run for 1 or 2 weeks, and we also offer and encourage 1-month sessions.
Programs run from 9 am to 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Class sizes are limited to ensure high-quality teaching and the safety of students and staff.
Please note that all sailors are required to pay an annual $30 (+HST CAD) Sail Nova Scotia membership fee.
Wet Feet serves as an introduction to sailing and comfort on and in the water. This class is taught in the single-handed Optimist boat and involves land training sessions.
In Wet Feet, you will be sailing Optimist dinghies. They are safe, fun, and sturdy boats in which to learn the basics and also progress to racing, should you wish.
Learn-to-Sail Optimist, Single-handed is for those who are 7 to 13 years of age, weigh under 120lbs and/or are 5’6″ or under, are learning to sail for the first time, or have graduated from Wet Feet.
In Learn-to-Sail Optimist, sailors will be introduced to single-handed sailing in the Optimist dinghy.
Optimists, commonly referred to as Optis, are great for beginners, but are also fantastic for racing, with most sailors racing them up to 13 or 14 years of age.
Learn-to-Sail 420, Double-handed is for those who are 10 to 15 years of age, weigh 120lbs and/or are 5’6″ or over, are learning to sail for the first time, or have graduated from Wet Feet or Learn-to-Sail Optimist.
In Learn-to-Sail 420, sailors will be introduced to double-handed sailing in the 420 dinghy.
The 420 is great for learning the basics, as well as for racing, and has a recommended, combined weight maximum of 240 to 280 pounds with two sailors.
Advanced Optimist, Single-handed is for those who are 7 to 13 years of age, weigh under 125lbs, and have passed the Learn-to-Sail Optimist program.
Advanced 420, Double-handed is for those who are 10 to 17 years of age, weigh over 125lbs, and have passed the Learn-to-Sail 420 program.
ILCA/Laser Development, Single-handed is for sailors who are 12 to 17 years of age, have passed all previous levels, and would like to focus on racing.
In ILCA / Laser Development, sailors will be introduced to the ILCA dinghy, also known as a Laser, which is very popular for racing.
Registration is handled by Clubspot through a CYC-branded online portal.
If you haven’t already done so, you will need to create a CYC Clubspot account before registering for any sailing programs.
Clicking any of the registration buttons will prompt you to register a CYC Clubspot account before continuing on to your chosen sail training program.
If you are already a member, clicking a registration button opens the CYC Clubspot login page. After logging in, you can select and register for your preferred sail training programs.
Due to required student/coach ratios, some programs may have waitlists. We will review registrations early to ensure sailors are placed appropriately and that we have the coaches and boats needed to deliver a high-quality program.
For 420 (double-handed) programs, registrations will be reviewed carefully to establish pairings before the season begins. This is particularly important for sailors participating in advanced and regatta-focused programs.
