Sail Canada Certified Instruction
Sailing Courses on Georgian Bay
All courses are delivered entirely on the water, aboard a private 40' Beneteau, in small groups, with hands-on instruction tailored to your pace. No classroom. No theory for its own sake. Just real sailing, on real water, with a certified instructor who's spent decades on these lakes.
Sail Canada Certified · Small Group Instruction · Hands-On, On-Water Learning · Parry Sound, Ontario
intro to sailing — 3 hours
Sail Canada Introduction to Sailing
$165 PER PERSON
Perfect for first-timers, this 3 hour Sail Canada Introduction to Sailing experience offers a relaxed, hands-on way to discover life under sail on beautiful Georgian Bay. Guided by a certified instructor, you’ll learn the fundamentals of sailboat operation, including steering, sail trim, and basic safety, while actively participating at your comfort level.
There are no prerequisites, tests, or pressure—just an easygoing introduction designed to build confidence on the water.
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3 HOURS, ON THE WATER
SUN 1:00-4:00PM, WED 5:00-8:00PM
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NONE — COMPLETE BEGINNERS WELCOME
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SMALL GROUPS FOR PERSONAL INSTRUCTION (MIN 2, MAX 4 PEOPLE)
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Sail Canada Intro to Sailing certificate of completion
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Georgian Bay, departing Parry Sound, ON
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40' Beneteau sloop, North 45°
What You'll Learn
Safely prepare to leave the dock
Operate and trim the sails underway
Vessel safety
What's Included
All on-water instruction with a Sail Canada certified instructor
Use of all safety equipment, including PFD’s
Sail Canada course certification of completion
Start Keelboat — 2 Days
Sail Canada Start Keelboat Course
$750 PER PERSON
The ideal starting point for anyone new to sailing. The Start Keelboat course introduces you to the fundamentals of keelboat handling, seamanship, and safety in a practical, relaxed environment, no experience required.
By the end of Day 2, you'll be handling sails, steering confidently, and understanding how wind, current, and boat trim work together. You'll leave with a recognized Sail Canada certification and the foundation for everything that comes next.
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2 DAYS, ON THE WATER
9AM TO 4:00PM
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NONE — COMPLETE BEGINNERS WELCOME
NO PREREQUISITES
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SMALL GROUPS FOR PERSONAL INSTRUCTION (MIN 2, MAX 4 PEOPLE)
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SAIL CANADA START KEELBOAT SAILING STANDARD
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Georgian Bay, departing Parry Sound, ON
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40' Beneteau sloop, North 45°
What You'll Learn
Boat familiarization — parts, rigging, and safety equipment
Points of sail and understanding wind direction
Sail trim and steering under sail
Basic navigation and rules of the road
Safety procedures, man overboard, and emergency protocols
Docking and manoeuvring
What's Included
All on-water instruction with a Sail Canada certified instructor
Use of all safety equipment, including PFD’s
Sail Canada course materials and certification fees
Each day concludes at the dock in Parry Sound. Accommodation ashore is arranged independently. Parry Sound has a range of hotel, resort, Airbnb, and camping options nearby — see our FAQ for recommendations.
Basic Cruising — 4 Days
Sail Canada Basic Cruising Course
$950 PER PERSON
The next step for sailors who've completed Start Keelboat, or for those with some experience looking to build real cruising confidence. The 4-day Basic Cruising course takes you deeper into the skills and knowledge needed for extended, independent cruising.
Develop your skills while sailing Georgian Bay as your classroom. By the end of Day 4, you'll have the judgment, skills, and certification to crew or skipper with confidence.
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4 DAYS, ON THE WATER
9AM TO 4:00PM
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NO PREREQUISITES, BEGINNERS SHOULD CONSIDER COMPLETING
THE START KEELBOAT SAILING STANDARD FIRST
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SMALL GROUPS FOR PERSONAL INSTRUCTION (MIN 2, MAX 4 PEOPLE)
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SAIL CANADA BASIC CRUISING STANDARD
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Georgian Bay, departing Parry Sound, ON
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40' Beneteau sloop, North 45°
What You'll Learn
Passage planning, navigation, and chart reading
Weather interpretation and routing decisions
Anchoring in varied conditions
Advanced sail trim, reefing, and heavy weather techniques
Engine operation and mechanical troubleshooting
Marine communication and VHF radio operation
What's Included
All on-water instruction with a Sail Canada certified instructor
4 days aboard North 45° on Georgian Bay
Sail Canada course materials and certification fees
Us of all safety equipment, including PFD’s
Each day concludes at the dock in Parry Sound. Accommodation ashore is arranged independently. Parry Sound has a range of hotel, resort, Airbnb, and camping options nearby — see our FAQ for recommendations.
Private Instruction
Prefer to Learn on Your Own Boat?
If you already own a sailboat, Steve can deliver Sail Canada instruction aboard your own vessel. There's no better way to build confidence than learning on the boat you will actually be sailing.
Instruction tailored to your specific vessel and sailing area
Start Keelboat or Basic Cruising curriculum available
Flexible scheduling to suit your availability
Before You Book
Frequently Asked Questions
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NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. THE START KEELBOAT COURSE IS DESIGNED FOR COMPLETE BEGINNERS AND COVERS EVERYTHING FROM BASIC BOAT FAMILIARIZATION TO SAFETY PROCEDURES AND SEAMANSHIP. ALL INSTRUCTION IS PRACTICAL AND HANDS-ON, ABOARD THE BOAT.
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YOU SHOULD HOLD A SAIL CANADA START KEELBOAT CERTIFICATION, OR HAVE EQUIVALENT SAILING EXPERIENCE AT THE KEELBOAT LEVEL. IF YOU'RE UNSURE WHETHER YOUR EXPERIENCE QUALIFIES, GET IN TOUCH AND WE CAN DISCUSS YOUR BACKGROUND.
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EACH EVENING CONCLUDES AT THE DOCK IN PARRY SOUND. ACCOMMODATION ASHORE IS ARRANGED INDEPENDENTLY. OPTIONS IN THE AREA INCLUDE THE BEST WESTERN, PARRY SOUND INN & SUITES, BAYSIDE INN, KILLBEAR PROVINCIAL PARK, AND OASTLER LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK, AMONG OTHERS.
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SAFETY IS ALWAYS THE PRIORITY. IN THE EVENT OF CONDITIONS UNSUITABLE FOR SAFE INSTRUCTION, WE’LL RESCHEDULE YOUR SESSION AT NO ADDITIONAL COST AND WITH AS MUCH ADVANCE NOTICE AS POSSIBLE. WE MONITOR CONDITIONS CLOSELY AND WILL ALWAYS COMMUNICATE CLEARLY.
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YES. STEVE CAN PROVIDE SAIL CANADA INSTRUCTION ABOARD YOUR VESSEL. GET IN TOUCH TO DISCUSS YOUR BOAT, YOUR EXPERIENCE LEVEL, AND WHAT YOU’D LIKE TO WORK ON.
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COMFORTABLE, WEATHER-APPROPRIATE CLOTHING
NON-MARKING SHOES (OR BARE FEET WELCOME ABOARD)
A WARM LAYER AND A LIGHT WIND/RAIN JACKET
SUNSCREEN, HAT, AND SUNGLASSES
PERSONAL TOILETRIES AND MEDICATIONS
LUNCH AND SNACKS FOR EACH DAY