UBC Sailing Club offers sailing lessons at a variety of levels on our dinghies. After you successfully pass a set of lessons, you will gain access to the appropriate club fleet and can enjoy unlimited sailing for the rest of the season.   

Note that wetsuits are mandatory from October 1 to June 1. 

LESSON HOURS

• Weekday lessons hours are 6 PM to 9 PM (Beginner, Advanced)
• Weekend lessons hours are 10 AM to 4 PM (Beginner, Advanced)
• Weekday lesson hours for Intermediate are 6 PM to 9:30 PM
• Weekend lesson hours for Intermediate are 10 AM to 5 PM
• Compressed lessons run 4 PM to 9 PM both Saturday & Sunday for three weekends
• Friday lessons run 4 PM to 9 PM Friday evenings for six weeks
• September Beginner lessons run 9 AM to 1:30 PM or 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM for six weeks

There are no classes on holiday weekends:

• Sat. May 21 – Mon. May 23 (Victoria Day)
• Fri. July 1 – Sun. July 3 (Canada Day)
• Sat. July 30 – Mon. Aug. 1 (BC Day)
• Sat. Sept. 3 – Mon. Sept. 5 (Labour Day)
• Sat. Oct. 8 – Mon. Oct. 10 (Thanksgiving)

NOTE: Fall 2011 lessons include one refresher lesson in Spring 2012.

Lessons Calendar HERE.  

Check lesson schedule & availability HERE. Sign-up for the club HERE.

BEGINNER                                  Class Size: 10 students             Cost: $100

This 30 hour course covers all the basics.  The lessons don't skip any steps and by the end of the course you will feel confident sailing a Flying Junior (2 person sailboat) in medium wind (< 15 knots).

Requirements
This class is best suited for beginners or those who have not sailed for an extended period of time and require thorough review.

Instruction Hours
30 hours of instruction, 6 hours per week. 30% on-land and 70% on-water instruction. Weekday lessons are 6 PM - 9 PM, weekend lessons are 10 AM - 4 PM.

INTERMEDIATE                          Class Size: 10 students            Cost: $100

This course is designed to refine sailing skills and teach how to rig and sail single- and double-handed types of boats (Laser, Vanguard 15).

Requirements
This course is intended for those who have finished the Beginner course, or have sufficient previous sailing experience, or have completed CYA White Sail II elsewhere.  (One month of sailing independently after the Beginner course is recommended, but not required.)

Instruction Hours
28 hours of instruction (7 hours per week); 25% on-land and 75% on-water instruction. Weekday lessons are 6 PM - 9:30 PM; weekend lessons are 10 AM - 5 PM.

ADVANCED I                               Class Size: 6 students               Cost: $80

This course teaches advanced sailing and boat handling skills on our brand-new RS500 dinghies, a fast skiff-style boat. You will learn how to rig and sail the RS500, including trapeze skills, in medium wind (8 - 14 knots).

Requirements
For very experienced sailors, or those who have finished Intermediate (or White Sail III) lessons followed by at least 40 hours of sailing without instructor supervision. You must be confident skippering, capsizing and righting a Vanguard15 and/or Laser in medium wind.  Before attending Advanced I lessons, you must have completed 150 tacks and 150 gybes on a Laser, independently, this season.

Instruction Hours
24 hours, over the course of 6 lessons (two weeks). Tentative schedules are:

• 6-9 PM on two Monday and Wednesdays plus 10 AM - 4 PM on two Saturdays
• 6-9 PM on two Tuesday and Thursdays plus 10 AM - 4 PM on two Sundays

ADVANCED II                              Class Size: 6 students                    Cost: $65

This course teaches advanced sailing skills including spinnaker handling on the RS500, which has a single trapeze and an asymmetrical spinnaker.

Requirements
For very experienced sailors. You have finished our Advanced I lessons (or Bronze V), followed by at least 20 hours of sailing without instructor supervision. You are confident skippering, capsizing and righting the RS500 in medium wind.

Instruction Hours
18 hours , over the course of five lessons (two weeks). Tentative schedules are:

         • 6-9 PM on Monday and Wednesday plus 10 AM - 4 PM on two Saturdays

         • 6-9 PM on Tuesday and Thursday plus 10 AM - 4 PM on two Sundays  

ADVANCED III                             Class Size: 1 on 1 mentoring                    Cost: $20/session * 2 sessions

Coming in June 2011 - after the arrival of our shiny new RS800s! 

Advanced III is designed to qualify sailors on the RS800s. These boats represent a significant investment and are the highest performance monohulls that the club has, it is very unique for a public club to have such high level boats however our membership has demonstrated that we have the level of sailor that demands such a craft and that our membership is capable of treating the boats with the delicate attention they deserve. Once qualified on the RS800s there is an even stronger obligation on you to contribute to the UBC Sailing Club community, in particular you will be expected to volunteer to lead mentoring sessions and encourage/help all members move up to gain access to the club's advanced boats.

This course emphasizes boat handling, launch/recovery and capsize/recovery on the RS800s. Upon successful completion members will have access to the RS800s and will be expected to volunteer to lead mentoring sessions.

Requirements

Sailors who wish to take RS800 mentoring should have completed Advanced II and skippered a minimum of 20 hours on the RS500s after taking Advanced II.

Instruction Hours

Due to the high performance of the RS800s they can not be taught with a standard model. One on one mentoring in decent wind is required to ensure that sailors are qualified to handle these boats which represent a considerable investment by the club. If you are interested in getting qualified on the RS800s, email Adrian at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to confirm your eligibility, then pay for the two sessions at any office hours or registration day. Adrian will explain how to schedule your sessions.

PRIVATE LESSONS                    Class Size: 1 to 2 students               Cost: $25/hour

Private or semi-private lessons are available with any instructor at a cost of $25/hour, for 1 or 2 people.  (Split the cost if there are 2 of you).  This is a great way to brush up on skills you’re having trouble with. Email Sarah at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  to get in touch with an instructor.

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 Lessons Calendar HERE. 

Check lesson schedule & availability HERE. Sign-up for lessons HERE.

If you have further questions regarding Dinghy lessons, please contact Sarah at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

PROFICIENCY EXAMS                Are you experienced?

Proficiency exams allow experienced dinghy sailors to become certified to use our boats without progressing through our lessons.  You must be a member to take the exam.  During the one-hour exam ($0) you will demonstrate your proficiency in rigging and sailing.  No instruction is provided, simply observation of the required skills.   

Step 1.  Submit a sailing resume to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with the following details:
• when, where and with whom did you learn how to sail?
• any prior sailing courses and/or certification?
• what kinds of boats have you sailed?
• how many years of sailing experience do you have?
• when was the last time you sailed?

Step 2. Attend a mandatory Refresher Course ($15, 3 hours) or arrange a private/semi-private rigging lesson ($25, 1 hour), to become familiar with the rigging of our specific boats.

Step 3. Schedule an exam with Sarah at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

Step 4. On your exam day, arrive half an hour early to rig your boat on your own, be ready to sail when your evaluator arrives.   Dress for capsize.  You will be certified at the evaluator’s discretion.  If you fail the exam or do not meet the above requirements, you must complete lessons (either Beginner or Intermediate) to earn access to the boats. Wetsuits are required October 1 - June 1.

Check exam schedule & availability HERE.

If you have any doubt about whether you should take the proficiency exam or a lesson, please take a lesson.