CANSail Levels

Wet Feet (Age 6-8)

Prerequisites: Comfortable swimming with a personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket

Please note that we do not currently offer a wet feet program.

The Wet Feet program is based on breaking down sailing skills into their smaller components to make them easier to understand and build on in later CanSail levels. The curriculum includes boat and water safety, simple knots, sailing terminology, and basic sailing exercises on the water. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and weekly theme days. By the end of the course, participants will feel confident sitting in a boat and sailing around the marina. Each individual’s progress towards the Wet Feet level will be tracked through their personalized Wet Feet checklist. For more information, check out our Wet Feet Program page.

CANSail 1 (Youth and Adult)

Prerequisites: Comfortable swimming with a personal flotation device (PFD) or lifejacket

CANSail 1 is a program aimed at introducing basic sailing concepts to participants with some or no sailing experience through games and activities both on and off the water. The curriculum includes water safety, knots, rigging, terminology, points of sail, sail trim, tacking & gybing and capsizing. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and weekly theme days. By the end of the course, participants will comfortably be able to sail around a course with a partner. Each individual’s progress towards the CANSail-1 level will be tracked through their personalized CANSail-1 checklist.

CANSail 2 (Youth and Adult)

Prerequisites: CANSail 1 Certificate

CANSail 2 is a program aimed at building on the basic sailing concepts introduced in CANSail 1 through games and activities on and off the water. The curriculum includes mark roundings, advanced sail trim, boat balance and body positioning, stopping and accelerating, and righting a turtle boat. Additional activities include swimming, beach activities and weekly theme days. By the end of the program participants will be able to sail independently in double sailed boats (aka double handed) under instructor supervision. Each individual’s progress towards the CANSail-2 level will be tracked through their personalized CANSail-2 checklist.

CANSail 3 (Youth and Adult)

Prerequisites: CANSail 2 Certificate

CANSail 3 is a program aimed at introducing advanced double handed boating skills to participants. The curriculum includes self rescue, advanced sailing terminology, rudderless sailing, and sailing backwards. Additional activities include swimming and racing activities. By the end of the program participants will master basic double-handed helming and crewing skills. Each individual’s progress towards the CANSail-3 level will be tracked through their personalized CANSail-3 checklist. Please note that sailors wishing to achieve the CANSail 3 standard will require 2 or more camp/course sessions.

CANSail 4 (Youth and Adult)

Prerequisites: CANSail 3 Certificate

CANSail 4 is a program aimed at introducing spinnaker work and trapezing in a double handed Club 420 sailboat. The curriculum includes parts of a spinnaker, trapezing technique, anchoring and flying spinnaker. Additional activities include swimming and racing activities. By the end of the program participants will be comfortable with their spinnaker skills and trapezing and will advance their double handed boat handling skills. Each individual’s progress towards the CANSail-4 level will be tracked through their personalized CANSail-4 checklist. Please note that sailors wishing to achieve the CANSail 4 standard will require 2 or more camp/course sessions.

Please see Sail Canada's web site for further information.