The Gibsons Yacht Club (GYC) is getting set to launch its learn-to-sail program.
"Last year we had 60 kids attend our classes. This year we are hoping for a similar number," said program coordinator Carl Armstrong. "We have two local students instructing the classes. Mark Stockton will be the head instructor and Frances Van der Sande is our assistant instructor."
The learn-to-sail program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to experience the fun and discipline of safe boating. The objective of the program is to integrate sailing theory with practical experience in a safe and relaxed environment.
Instruction will be based on the Canadian Yachting Association's (CYA) Learn-to- Sail Program. This program provides basic boating skills that are useful for any water activity. The program offered by the Yacht Club is open to all people whether or not they are members of the GYC. Registration will be on a first come, first served basis.
Courses offered include: CYA white sail one to three and bronze sail four and five.
Students aged nine to 15 with little or no experience will enjoy learning the basics of sailing while advancing through each successive white sail level. Safety, basic knots and basic skipper/crew work will be taught throughout each of the three courses using Laser sailboats.
The bronze sail courses are a continuation of the white sail courses. They offer more advanced sailing theory and use Laser 2 training boats. To enter these courses, a student must have completed all white sail courses.
CYA certification and manuals are included in the course fee. Students must provide their own certified personal flotation device (lifejacket) and appropriate footwear (closed toe shoes).
It is also important that students entering the white and bronze sail programs be confident swimmers.
White sail one to three will be offered July 4 to 15, July 18 to 29 and Aug. 1 to 12. Bronze four and five will be offered Aug. 16 to 26.
Each session is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. Class size will be limited to 15 students for white sail sessions and 10 students for bronze sail sessions. Cost for each two-week session is $350 plus GST, which includes a CYA manual and certification.
For more information or to register, call Armstrong at 604-886-2917 or Dave Smethurst at 604-886-2864.
