We offer sailing instruction in small keel boats for ages 16 and up through June, July and August on Lake Nipissing. The Basic Keelboat Sailing course is suitable for beginners. Instruction can also be designed to meet individual needs for those wanting to convert from other types of sailing, as a refresher and for those that have sailed as crew and want to build their confidence as a Skipper.
The 10-hour Basic Keelboat Sailing course includes five sessions of 2 hours each. Sessions are usually preceded with 15 minutes of discussion about the session and what it is to achieve. It teaches the necessary skills of boat handling under motor, sailing in a variety of conditions up to moderate winds, setting an anchor and man-over-board drills.
At the end of the course, members should be able to safely sail a keel boat, handle the motor, docking and be in a position to learn more through experience and knowledge sharing with other members. They should also be able to handle their own boat or dinghy or rent club boats.
We also encourage members to take part in our social sails which run five times a week. Just show up and join the crew for $10 each sail. It’s an excellent way of practicing what you have learned and to observe how others sail.
We teach using a 23-foot Columbia located at the North Bay Marina on Memorial Drive . It has a ballast keel, shallow draft, outboard motor and sloop rig.
The Basic Keelboat Sailing Course costs $400 and is available to all members. To register please contact Bob Carpenter at (705) 492-2550 or bobinnorthbay@gmail.com . Full payment by cash or personal cheque is required to complete registration. We offer full refunds to students who cancel seven days prior to the start of the course. If it transpires that you can complete necessary learning in less than 10 hours, the balance of payment can be applied to boat rental.
Lessons are one-on-one and are scheduled to suit the members and the instructor’s availability. The course can be completed over a five week period or compressed into one or two weekends.
A Pleasure Craft Operator Card is required for anyone skippering our boats on their own. We recommend obtaining one during the course to allow you to sail our boats once you have been approved as a skipper.
Members must be able to swim without a life jacket and are required to wear a personal flotation device.
The club reserves the right to judge a “GO” or “NO GO” situation, based on wind force and safety considerations.
For more information , e-mail blueskysailingclub@gmail.com, bobinnorthbay@gmail.com or call (705) 492-2550
2023 