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 (All levels) 6 PM - 9 PM
• Weekend (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced I, Advanced II) 10 AM - 4 PM
• Weekend (Beginner Compressed) 4 PM - 9 PM

There are no classes on holiday weekends:

•  Sat. May 22 – Mon. May 24 (Victoria Day)
•  Thurs. July 1 – Sun. July 4 (Canada Day is on the Thursday)
•  Sat. July 31 – Mon. Aug. 2 (BC Day)
•  Sat. Sept. 4 – Mon. Sept. 6 (Labour Day)
•  Sat. Oct. 9 – Mon. Oct. 11 (Thanksgiving)

NOTE: Fall 2010 lessons include one refresher lesson in Spring 2011.

Lessons Calendar HERE.  

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

BEGINNER                                  Class Size: 10 students max            Cost: $95

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: 11 students max            Cost: $95

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
24 hours of instruction (6 hours per week); 25% on-land and 75% on-water instruction. Weekday lessons are 6 PM - 9 PM; weekend lessons are 10 AM - 4 PM.

ADVANCED I                               Class Size: 6 to 8 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 (May, June, August and September)
• 6-9 PM on two Tuesday and Thursdays plus 10 AM - 4 PM on two Sundays (June, July and August)

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 two Monday and Wednesdays plus 10 AM - 4 PM on one Saturday (June, July and August)

         • 6-9 PM on two Tuesday and Thursdays plus 10 AM - 4 PM on one Sunday (June, August and September) 

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 two-hour exam ($0) you will demonstrate your proficiency in rigging and sailing.  No instruction is provided, simply observation of the required skills.   

Step 1. Attend a safety orientation - mandatory to get your key after passing the exam.  Safety orientations are conducted on sign-up days. 

Step 2.  Submit a sailing resume to the Fleet Captain, Anton, at  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?
Upon review of your sailing resume, Anton will contact you to arrange your examination, which will be scheduled after your Rigging Refresher (see Step 3).

Step 4. Arrange exam date.  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. 

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