The Gibsons Yacht Club is once again inviting youth out on the water for a summer of fun.
The club is organizing its ever-popular, learn-to-sail program. This successful, enjoyable and educational program has put through some 600 students over the years.
"We are in the enviable position of having our ex-students doing the instruction," said Carl Armstrong, one of the program organizers. "They have taken further classes in Vancouver to qualify to teach. What a great summer job."
The club has purchased four new boats and is promising a great time for Coast youth this year.
As with previous years, the club is hosting four two-week sessions. Session A is July 3 to 14, session B July 17 to 28 is already full, session C is July 31 to Aug. 11 and session D is Aug. 14 to 25.
Cost for a first time student is $350 for the two-week session that runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. These classes are for kids nine to 16 years old.
Armstrong said they do take the odd eight-year-old if they are big kids and good swimmers.
"These are great classes in which the kids, in addition to having a ton of fun, learn the basics of sailing, rules of the boat, basic knots, safety on the water and how the winds and rides work," said Armstrong. "We teach Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) classes and all our instructors are CYA certified."
By taking the course, students will achieve either white sail one, two or three or bronze four or five.
Students who complete bronze five can go to Vancouver and take the green level, which permits students to teach and test white sail one, two and three.
For more information check out www.gibsonsyachtclub.com and follow the links to Learn to Sail. There you will see the full brochure and application form and photos from last year's classes. You can also call Armstrong at 604-886-2917, Dave Smethurst at 604-886-2864 or Fred Scott at 604-886-3950.
