top of page
LTS 1.jpg

THE

PROGRAM

RYC’s Learn to Sail Program is focused on providing instruction in a fun, safe and positive environment.  Based on CANSail’s set of progressive learn to sail standards, we strive to teach practical theory and on-water skills while developing competent sailors with, hopefully, a life long love of the sport.  Importantly, we want our sailors to have a safe and unforgettable summer on the beautiful waters of the Kennebecasis River Valley.

 

Implemented in 2012, CANSail promotes an active hands-on philosophy to teaching sailing.  Material is taught through games and activities, and on water drills and demonstrations.  Our program gets sailors moving and active, and away from lecture style teaching as much as possible.  This creates a fun and inclusive atmosphere for both instructors and sailors.  All of our instructors have received training and certification based on Sail Canada’s national standards.

 

CANSail also treats sailing as a sport.  As such, there is an increased emphasis on physical literacy and health.  Sailors will participate in warm ups and games which focus on physiological goals.

 

That said, not all sailors want to race, which we fully support!  Sailing should be fun for all athletes, whether they are angling on a start line or participating in a Long Island Day scavenger hunt.  All RYC sailors will learn fundamental sailing skills and they will a have F-U-N doing it.  Advanced sailors will learn strong technical skills and will play, scrimmage, and have fun in our sport.  Let’s keep everyone, racer and non-racer, coming back!

  • Facebook - White Circle
  • LinkedIn - White Circle
  • Twitter - White Circle

Wet Feet

Programming specific to ages 7 to 8 in an Optimist dinghy; active start to long-term sailing development pathway

CanSail 1 & 2

Fundamental skill acquisition in any type of dinghy (single or double-handed); fundamental staff of long-term sailor development pathway

Can Sail 3 & 4

Applied skill acquisition in any type of dinghy (single or double-handed)

CanSail 5 & 6

Applied skill consolidation in any type of dinghy (single or double-handed)

What kind of boat will I sail?

opti.png

Optimist

The single-handed one-design dinghy which is ideal for young sailors learning to sail.  They are designed especially for children, with a broad beam for exceptional safety and stability.  The boats are simple to operate with just one sail, one line and one centreboard.  It is sailed in over 100 countries by over 150,000 young sailors!

Club 420.png

Club 420

The 42 class dinghy is a stable, double-handed (2 person) sailboat.  The name describes the overall length of the boat; it is exactly 4.2 meters long.  This boat is equipped with an optional spinnaker and trapeze, making it a great boat to further advance sailing skills.  It is a highly popular class across North America.

laser radial.png

Laser Radial

The Laser Radial is a popular one-design class of small sailing dinghy, originally built by Laser Performance. It is a singlehanded boat, meaning that it is sailed by one person. The Laser Radial is a variant of the Laser standard, with shorter mast and reduced sail area, allowing light sailors to sail in heavy winds.

20180701-RYC sailing  Program 2018 (2 of

If you are starting in Wet Feet, you will be sailing in Optimist dinghies.  They are safe, fun and sturdy boats in which to learn the basics and also progress to racing, should you wish.

The optimist is often sailed in winds up to 30 knots.  Optimists are used for beginners, but most sailors continue to race them up to 13 to 14 years of age.  The age limit for the class is 15 and recommended sailor weight of a maximum of 120 pounds.

CANSail 1/2 sailors will be introduced to single-handed Opti sailing.  Some students, depending on size and desire, can move to 420s.  Optimists can be sailed comfortably by people from ages 8 - 15.  This wide range of sailors is made possible by the different cuts of the boat's sails.  Due to its inherent stability, robust construction and relatively small sail, the

Once you reach CANSail 3/4 or 5/6, you will be sailing in Club 420s and Laser Radials, depending on your size and weight.  The Club 420 is a double-handed boat and is great for learning the basics and for racing.  We recommend the two sailors' combined weight is a maximum of 240 to 280 pounds.  The Laser Radials are a smaller version of a regular laser, with a shorter mast and reduced sail size.  Laser radials are a single-handed boat.

bottom of page