Learn to Sail & Learn to Cruise Schools in Alberta
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Learn to Sail Schools
Calgary Yacht Club Sailing School
Calgary Yacht Club offers CYA White Sail through to Silver VI programs to students from 7 up to adults. Lessons are in Optis, Bytes and 420s. CYC also supports a development race team. For more information http://www.cyc.ab.ca or contact Fie Hulsker at or 403-272-3300.
Glenmore Sailing School
Glenmore Sailing School, located on the Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary is one of the largest sailing schools in Canada. It offers CYA White Sail through to Silver VI, basic cruising courses and summer camps to all ages. For program information and booking refer to;
http://rec-econnect.gov.calgary.ab.ca/econnect/Activities/Activities.asp or call 403-268-3800.
Northern Alberta Sailing College
NASC offers weekend and weekday programs from beginner to advanced sailors through Edmonton Yacht Club and Wabamun Sailing Clubs on Wabamun Lake. Special programs can be arranged for groups of ten or more. For more information see the web page at http://www.northernalbertasailingcollege.com or contact John Henderson at or 780-486-5688.
Old School Safety and Recreation
Old School offers Learn to sail, Learn to Cruise, Cruising Instructor certification and Instructor prerequisite certification. or 403-249-7613.
YWCA YoWoChAs Outdoor Education Centre
YoWoChAs offers youth learn to sail programs during our residential summer camp. Sailors spend their time earning CYA White sail 1, 2 or 3. They also have an opportunity to try some of our other exciting summer camp activities. See the website at http://www.ywcaofedmonton.org or phone 780-892-2660.
Learn to Cruise Schools
Ghost Lake Sailing Academy
Ghost Lake Sailing Academy offers Basic Cruising, Coastal Navigation, Restricted Radio Operators License (Marine) and Spark Start Courses on Ghost Lake 20 minutes west of Calgary. Intermediate Cruising and Advanced Cruising standards are taught year round on the west coast. Web Site: http://www.ghostlake.com eMail: Ghost Lake Sailing Academy Phone 403-861-4999
Glenmore Sailing School
Offering Learn to Cruise courses on Glenmore Reservoir in Calgary. Contact 403-268-3800
Wildrose Charters and Sailing School (1985)
Wildrose Charter and Sailing School has operated since 1985 and has over 1800 successful graduates. They offer Basic to Advanced cruising, Coastal Navigation, VHF, SPARK Start and Instructor certification courses in Calgary or Sidney BC depending on the course. Website http://www.wildrosesailing.com email or phone David Layton 403-289-5772
Instructor Information
Link to CYA instructor recourse page
Link to current CYA certified instructors
CYA Instructor Certifications
White Sail Instructor teach entry to independent sailing White Sail programs,
Learn to Race Instructors introduce sailors to entry level competition.
Bronze Sail Instructors teach doublehanded sailing including trapeze and spinnaker.
The Program Manager module covers everything you need to know about organizing and running a sailing school or team. Great for instructors and club volunteers.
Orange Instructor / Coache teach the Silver 6 and Gold 7 as well as coach high performance racing teams.
Instructor Examiners, Learning Facilitators and Evaluators teach and certify new instructors.
For information on all courses contact the Alberta Sailing Association at or 403-617-9092
Getting Certified
The instructor certification process has three major components.
1. Attending a CYA Fundamental Theory clinic run by Alberta Sailing during the winter.
2. Attend and pass the Technical or Practical on water teaching clinic delivered by ASA each spring. Please note that there is no time during the clinic to practice your sailing skills. It is strongly recommended you attend a sailing skills clinic or get out and practice before attending this clinic.
3. Completing all prerequisites for the certification you are looking for. (See below for list) Note that if all prerequisites are not in place within twelve months of completing the technical clinic all documentation will be shredded and you would be required to redo the Technical Clinic.
Successful candidates are considered “Trained” and can register with CYA and pay the annual dues and insurance of $150 per year. After teaching at the trained level and gaining experience, the instructor must demonstrate appropriate teaching skills with real students to an examiner who can then certify him as “Fully Certified”
Learn to Sail Prerequisites
All Learn to Sail instructor and coach certifications require the following prerequisites.
1) Current LSS Bronze Medallion or Boat Rescue,
2) National Emergency First Aid,
3) Pleasure Craft Opperators Card.
Solid sailing skill and knowledge requirements are as follows
White Sail - Bronze 4
Bronze Sail - Bronze 5
Learn to Race - Silver 6
Orange - Gold 7
Program Manager - no sailing requirements.
Learn to Cruise & Power Prerequisites
Standard First Aid, Nationally recognized Level B CPR, VHF is required for Intermediate and above.
