Welcome to the West Vancouver Yacht Club website

Schools & Groups

West Vancouver Yacht Club (WVYC) has been delivering high-quality sailing programs to schools on the North shore for many years.

Why Sailing

Sailing is a physically and mentally challenging sport in which you can participate in for life. It is an inclusive sport that helps build personal and social skills such as self-reliance, responsibility, and co-operation while enjoying an outdoor, unstructured environment. We offer a sailing program that allows students to come and experience a day or two of sailing.

Reviews

“As a teacher in North Vancouver who has taken students on a sailing field trip, it has been an amazing experience for the students. The students learned to safely maneuver the sailing boats to and from the dock and all were smiling. Sailing was a brand new skill for most of the students but many ended up taking sailing lessons later on because of the taste they got of the sport that one day.”

- Tine Moberg-Parker, Teacher


  • 1 Day Experience
    • Take Your Class Sailing! Kayaking! or Paddle Boarding!

      The West Vancouver Yacht Club offers Introductory Dinghy Sailing, Paddle Boarding and Kayaking classes to schools for Grades K through 12. The goal of the program is to promote safe boating while exposing as many kids as possible to a recreational water-sports. Living on the west coast, it's important that students learn how to act safely and responsibly around the water.

      Sailing, paddle boarding, and kayaking are the perfect medium to learn about safe boating, and, of course, an exciting and memorable way to begin or end the school year. Classes of up to 30 students can enroll in courses tailored for your needs, with special attention paid to the age of the students and time available for learning.

      There are several class structures to choose from. Please contact our Sailing Director for details.

      All classes are taught by Canadian Yachting Association certified instructors who are trained to make your day both fun and safe. The boats used for elementary aged sailors will be Optimists and high school sailors will use Flying Juniors. All equipment, including PFD's (life jackets), is included. Courses are offered from May through June. A minimum of 15 students are required for each class.

      This is a great opportunity to give students a taste of these exciting water sports and water safety. If you are interested in hearing more about WVYC's School Sailing Program, or wish to consult with other teachers about their sailing experiences, please contact our Sailing Director.

  • Multi Day Experience
    • Extend the experience and learn more

      Basic skills taught in our Summer Learn to Sail CANSail 1 course are further developed. Sailors will be able to explore more of sailing with less reliance on instructors. New skills, such as tacking, gybing and sailing in a fun and safe environment are introduced.

      Rate: $25 per child per day

  • CANSail Certification
    • Go all in

      If you bring your class for 5 days our instructors will take them through the entire Sail Canada CANSail 1 curriculum that we offer beginner sailors in the summer.

      Rate: $200 per child for the 5 days

  • Paddle Boarding & Kayaking
    • Beyond Sailing

      We are also able to combine sailing with Paddle Boarding and Kayaking. There is so much to see in the waters around our club. You can spend half the day sailing and the other half sailing, or spend the whole day doing either. Or let the kids decide as long as the weather conditions are good. Safety First.

  • Teacher's Pro D Day
    • Each year our Teacher's Pro-D day is scheduled for the May Pro-D day.

      We start the day at 9:30 in the morning and introduce you to our club and surrounding waters. Then we'll go over the basics of sailing and safety information. Then we will all go down to the boats and head out on the water.

      Bring your own lunch as our club restaurant is not open on Mondays.

      Cost $25 per teacher.

      Registration is open.

      Click Here to Register
  • Frequently asked questions
    • Why West Vancouver Yacht Club?
      • Strong emphasis on safety and all our instructors are Sail Canada qualified and hold current First Aid, Sail Canada Safety Boat and Pleasure Craft Operators Card qualifications.
      • Large variety of courses which can be customized
      • Dedicated learning centre with a fully equipped classroom and full changing rooms
      • Well maintained fleets of age appropriate boats
      • Located close to the freeway and in a location renown for excellent sailing conditions.

      What is provided by WVYC
      • CANSail qualified coaches
      • Appropriate boats for age of sailors, lifejackets

      N.B. WVYC operates a zero tolerance bullying policy and holds the right to remove any student violating this policy from the program.


      What the School Needs to Provide
      • Transport of sailors to and from the Club
      • Provide emergency contacts
      • A responsible parent or teacher coordinator.

      Do I need to be able to swim?

      No, you will be provided with a life jacket if you do not have your own. There are coaches out on the water to provide assistance if you end up in the water.


      What should I bring / wear?

      Layers provide you more flexibility. Clothing with a high cotton percentage is not recommended, if you have a wetsuit this is always recommended but Lycra, wool and waterproof clothing are good alternatives. Shoes (runners or neoprene boots that can get wet) and toque/sun hat.


      Is previous sailing experience required?

      No, you will be taught all the skills you require to learn to sail.

      To book your class please email the sailing director at [email protected] for available dates.

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