What should I know before learning to sail?

In Canada, the sport of sailing falls under the auspices of the Sail Canada and provincial sailing associations. Sail Canada sets one national training standard which is taught by instructors certified to Sail Canada standards by provincial sailing associations. Most reputable sailing clubs, yacht clubs, and commercial sailing centres are members of Sail Canada and/or their provincial sailing association. Westwood Sailing Club is a member of both Sail Canada and the Ontario Sailing Association (OSA).

The Sail Canada instructional program has two distinct streams: a "Learn to Sail" program, intended for sailing small, unpowered sailboats known as "dinghies", and a "Learn to Cruise" program intended for larger live-aboard-type sailing yachts which have more complex systems and a greater range. These programs are detailed on Sail Canada website's Sail Canada Learn to Sail page.

 

What should I wear?

If you are going sailing for the first time, come prepared. Fortunately, much of what you need is already in your closet. Turtlenecks, T-shirts, fleece tops, socks, wool hats, sun hats, sun screen, sun glasses, shorts, pants of quick dry material, rain gear. For cooler weather, fleece or marino wool tops (wool insulates even when wet!)

Always bring a change of clothes. You never know when you might experience a capsize. It doesn't happen often, but it's sure to happen at least once during the introductory course. It can be a long cold ride home, if all you have is dripping wet clothing.

It’s always cooler by the lake. Sailing aside, just lounging around by the waterside often requires an extra layer of clothing. While this is a blessing during the hot summer months, it makes for cool conditions during the spring, late summer, and fall. Regardless of what the weather is like at home, always bring an extra sweater or jacket down to the club.

Personal Flotation Device (PFD)

A PFD is a lifejacket shaped like a vest, with a zipper up the front. The Club does have a few regulation lifejackets kicking around, but they are somewhat bulky. We strongly recommend that you purchase your own PFD - you'll be more comfortable, and less likely to get caught on boat parts during delicate sailing maneuvers.

PFDs can be found in all kinds of styles, and can cost from $20 up to $200 for specialized models. The main thing is to buy a Coast Guard-approved model which allows for mobility in the shoulders and arms. The basic $19.99 Buoy-O-Boy model is all you need, and it can be found at Canadian Tire. If you like flashy gear, you can visit the Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) or top-of-the-line Salus Marine (Westwood instructor indorsed).

Footwear

There are several types of footwear to fit any budget. The cheapest is old running shoes but these will get wet and slippery in the boat. Non-slip boots will keep you upright and your feet dry. A further refinement is wetsuit boots or "hiking" boots (specialized for sailing with reinforced arch area - helping you "hike" or hang over the side of the boat to keep it flat). Shopping sources can be MEC, Fogh Marine, or a windsurfing shop (BoardSports or Silent Sports). Something to consider buying next year or mid-season if you see a good sale.

Gloves

While most gloves do little to keep your hands warm (this is only a consideration in the early or late season), they do protect your hands from the sheets (sailing term for ropes) and help maintain your grip. Specialized sailing gloves are leather and fingertip-less with Velcro closures. Simple substitutes include cheap cycling gloves, rubber gloves, or cutoff gardening gloves. For those with chronically cold hands, neoprene gloves may be purchased from windsurfing shops, sailing shops, and some outdoor stores.

Wetsuits

Any large sailing shop has lots of expensive gear, none of which you really need to start out with. You will see other sailors with wetsuits and even dry suits. For most conditions, they are warm but not a necessity. However, if you are considering the earliest Beginner's Classes starting in May, then we strongly recommend buying a wetsuit.

A lighter "Farmer John" or "Farmer Jane" type of wetsuit provides greater mobility by leaving the arms free, while keeping the all-important body core warm. These types of wetsuits are often sold by outdoor stores such as the Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), and cost $80-$100. Models sold at sailing and windsurfing shops may be more expensive. "Shorty" wetsuits (short sleeved, short-legged) are also sold at the MEC, as well as at sailing, windsurfing, or water-skiing shops, and usually cost much less.

Long or short? The important thing is to have a wetsuit which keeps your body core warm, and either type of wetsuit will do this. Shorty models will save you some money, while full-length wetsuits appeal to those who really feel the cold, sail intensively in early or late season, or race in all conditions.

Important Accessories

Sunglasses can save your life on a bright day. Reflection and glare can cause a nasty headache and make seeing obstacles difficult. Remember, sunglasses or prescription glasses can't swim, so wear a harness strap ("chums", "croakies") or you'll make a sacrifice to the eyewear-eating monster at the bottom of the lake.

Hats can keep your head warm or shelter you from the sun. But they can also blow away, so wear something appropriate.

Sunscreen and chapstick will protect your skin and lips from the elements, especially the sun and the wind.

Foul Weather Gear

Yes, the weather can be foul. Plastic or rubberized rain suits (usually in banana-yellow) are much more effective than a nylon windbreaker, especially when a wave comes splashing into the boat. They will keep you dry and protect you from the wind. Consider coverall pants rather than a gathered waist as the former will stop cold water from getting down your pants (not a pleasant sensation). Wear loose shorts or cutoff sweatpants over rain pants or wetsuits to prevent rips and tears.

Keep in mind that sailing is an active sport. Do not spend your money on cheap vinyl rainwear. It tears easily and will not last as long as your sailing course.

Many of us choose to wear "Wetskins" foul weather gear. They are a good compromise on price and durability, and last forever. They can usually be purchased for about $70 - $90 for a matching hooded jacket and coverall/bib pants. Sometimes you can find them at Canadian Tire. If Costco has them, they're usually cheapest. A reasonable and cheaper second choice is MEC rainwear, but they don't seem to have a coverall pant. Another good option is Binnacle.com, which offers a decent selection and ships fast to the GTA.

Other Marine Stores & Chandleries

 

Dinghies or yachts: a sailing course or a cruising course?

Dinghies and yachts both require knowledge of sailing. In both cases a sailor must know how to set their sails correctly, and how to handle a boat in various situations. However, when it comes to actually learning to sail, there are great differences in how one goes about handling the boat, and what one has to learn.

Dinghies are very light boats, which are sensitive to changes in wind direction, wind strength, waves, and the crew's balance. They can be very tippy. Under certain circumstances, they can capsize (however, they can be righted and drained very quickly). The person at the "helm" of a dinghy has a great deal of control over how the boat sails. A dinghy sailor usually does many tasks at the same time: steer, control the sails, and adjust several other controls.

Yachts - often called keelboats, due to the heavy metal keel, which prevents them from capsizing - are much heavier vessels and are less vulnerable to changes in wind and waves. They have more complex systems - fuel, mechanical, electrical, etc., and require special expertise in maneuvering under power, anchoring, docking, etc. Because of their size and complexity, yachts often require several crew members working at different tasks in order to sail effectively.

Since dinghies are more sensitive, they provide great feedback and offer excellent training for sailing. They are more responsive to the wind - if the sails are set incorrectly, the boat slows down. If the problem is corrected, the boat almost immediately speeds up again.

In this dinghy sailor's opinion, if you want to learn to sail in the best way possible, learn to sail on a dinghy. If you then want to learn to sail yachts, you can do so after having gotten a good grounding in the basics of sailing. On the other hand, if you're about to take delivery of an expensive yacht, or if you don't like to get wet or spill your drink, you may want to look into that cruising course.

 

Where can I go to learn to sail?

Sailing courses are offered by yacht clubs, sailing clubs, and commercial sailing centers. And of course, look no further: we provide Sail Canada-certified courses on our 2-person Albacore sailing dinghies. During COVID we’ve switched over to offering our classes on Laser sailboats and Albacores can be used by two members of the same household taking classes together. Being a community club, our membership fees and class fees are inexpensive, and our club boats are available for our members' use.

CANSail 1 & 2 / Basic Lessons: what's the format, how does it work?

The basic sailing course at Westwood combines two courses, CANSail 1 & 2 of the Canadian Yachting Association Sail Canada Learn to Sail program. (Formerly known as White Sail I/II/III).

There is a choice of several separate self-contained CANSail 1 & 2/White Sail sessions, each starting at different times during the season.

In a typical season we run a few courses of evening classes twice a week over the course of 5 weeks. We may also also run weekend classes twice a week over 5 weeks and/or an adult day camp course for which the curriculum is taught during the weekdays over a span of 1 week. Please check class availability under the Join Now button on the website home page.

Classes begin with students arriving to "rig" (set up) their boats, and are given a briefing and theoretical lesson that lasts around 30 minutes. Then the boats head out on the water to put that theory into practice. Our accredited sailing instructor(s) facilitate teaching on the water in the club powerboat. For our evening classes, boats come back in at sunset, usually around 8:30pm, the boats come back in, and students de-rig their boats. There is then a post-sail debriefing and/or a theory session, and class is typically dismissed by 9:30pm.

Following the class students are encouraged to hang around and socialize, and take advantage of the barbecues and the deck. In the past, many classes have opted to hold self-organized dinners following classes.

For the first on-the-water class, volunteer skippers will be on hand to assist in helping students become familiar with rigging the boats, and to accompany new students on their first sail.

 

Which CANSail 1 & 2 session should I take?

It basically comes down to your schedule and inclination. If you're keen, don't mind the cold, and want to make the most of the sailing season, then a May session is best for you. If you prefer warmer weather and still want to make the most of the season, then the June session is best for you. If you want the warmest possible weather and the calmest winds, then the July session is best for you.

If you are considering the earlier season classes, we strongly advise that you consider spending ~ $100 on a light wetsuit. Contact us for more information.

 

What does the Rigging Clinic involve?

Taking place during the first day of each CANSail 1 & 2 class, the Rigging Clinic is a demonstration of how to "rig" (set-up) and launch one of our Albacore sailing dinghies. We also try to provide some information about what to wear when sailing, and general orientation information about the club.

Additional Rigging Clinics may be held on a weekend afternoon, and take about 90 minutes.

The rigging clinic is highly recommended for all new members.

 

I can't make all the classes, how important is attendance?

Very. Our course format is very condensed. It's possible to miss one, or maybe two classes, but with 12 classes, any missed time may have a bearing on whether you successfully pass the course. The instructor might not be able to pass students with low attendance.

We also ask that all students arrive for class before 6pm. Our boats can only remain on the water until sunset, so any lost time early in the evening will cut into precious on-the-water training time.

 

How important is it to practice outside of class and how do I get out sailing?

Our experience has been that students who practice the most get the most out of the course. We offer organized Social Sailing Thursday nights: arrive at the club by 6pm, ask for the Beach Captain, and let it be known that you are a new sailor looking to get out for a sail. You will be matched up with a more experienced sailor, and away you go. You are also welcome and encouraged to come down on weekends, make some new friends, and get out sailing.

 

I've sailed before, should I take the CANSail 1 & 2 or CANSail 3 course?

If you have had a great deal of dinghy sailing experience in 2-person dinghies, or if your prior sailing experience was on Albacores, then you may want to consider the Advanced CANSail 3 course. Taking a course, even with sailing experience, is also a great way to meet some club mates and find future sailing partners if you are new to the club.

Otherwise, you probably should stick with the CANSail 1&2 course. While the Albacore is a great training boat, it is quite versatile, and our experience has been that Basic to Intermediate sailors who learned on other classes of boat take some time to adapt to the Albacore.

If you're not sure, you should contact us.

 

Do I need to know how to swim?

Our sailboats do sometimes capsize, so the Club does require a basic level of comfort in the water. All class attendees are required to wear a Personal Flotation Device whenever sailing. If a new or potential member has great difficulty with the idea of being tossed unexpectedly into the lake, we may have to (graciously and diplomatically) offer a refund and decline membership.

 

Do you offer children's sailing courses?

Strictly speaking, no, since Westwood is an adult sailing club. However, we do share our boats and facilities with daytime community programs which provide recreational activities and sailing lessons for children.

 

How can I retrieve my CANSail certificate?

Sail Canada uses Checklick to log student information and track progress through levels, which is what Westwood uses. You can download your certificate by following the step by step instructions here.