Welcome to the Learn to Sail website!
Being an instructor is a great way to spread the joy of sailing to others! You can become a Learn to Sail instructor, Learn to Cruise instructor, Learn to Windsurf instructor or a Learn to Power instructor. Below are the different courses available under each stream:
Learn to Sail Stream Back to Top
Ontario
Sailing Recommended Courses:
(Click on the Course Logos for a full description of the Course & Prerequisites)
The White Sail Coach Program includes instructional training in how to teach and assist in the operation of sailing schools. Among the topics covered in the clinic are lesson planning, teaching methodologies, effective water drills and dry land exercises, safety and professionalism.
Approximate Training Timeline: 110 hours + 50 hours for the instructor course
Candidates will study and practice techniques of on water and on land teaching, attend lectures and group study sessions. You must arrive at the course prepared to demonstrate the sailing and theory prerequisites and familiarity with the various teaching methods introduced at the Green Instructor Course.
Approximate Training Timeline: 160 hours + 50 hours for the instructor course
The Program Manager Module is designed to assist individuals to become competent administrators of a sailing school program. The role of the Program manager encompasses new challenges that are a drastically different from those that coaches may have previously experienced. Hiring staff, motivating sailors and coaches, maximizing boat time for all participants, managing on site safety, dealing with parents and sailing school directors are all things that will be learned in this course. All of these tasks present new challenges that will test your abilities far beyond your sailing knowledge.
Approximate Training Timeline: 54 hours for the course
Learn to Cruise Stream Back to Top
Ontario
Sailing Recommended Courses:
(Click on the Course Logos for a full description of the Course & Prerequisites)
This is the first level in the Cruising Instructor Clinics. Successful candidates are able to certify the Basic Cruising Standard, Basic Crew Standard and SPARK START (Pleasure Craft Operator Card). At the instructor clinic you will receive intensive training in how to teach, planning effective lessons and the evaluation of students.
At the Intermediate Cruising Instructor Program you will be evaluated on a variety of teaching, sailing and cruising skills. Successful candidates are able to certify Intermediate Crew and Intermediate Cruising Standards in addition to those allowed under the Basic Cruising Instructor standard. Your interest and responsibility towards instructing sailing in a live-aboard situation play a significant role in the course.
Approximate Training Timeline: 150 hours as Basic Cruising Instructor + 17 days as skipper, minimum of 3 days at a time + 50 hours for instructor course
The focus of the Advanced Instructor Clinic is to develop your teaching, sailing and seamanship skills at the Advanced level; building on the teaching experiences you have gained as a Basic/Intermediate Instructor.
Approximate Training Timeline: 300 hours as a CYA Cruising Instructor + 30 days as skipper, minimum of 5 overnight passes + 50 hours for instructor course
An offshore passage is defined as a voyage exceeding one hundred miles from the nearest land and is navigated by celestial and electronic means without visual or electronic reference to terrestrial objects.
Approximate Training Timeline: 300 hours as a CYA Cruising Instructor + 1500 nautical miles of passage making as skipper or watch keeping crew + 50 hours for instructor course
The Coastal Navigation Instructor program prepares you for instructing others in map reading and instrument reading in order to properly navigate. The candidate must be a current Advanced Cruising Instructor, with practical day and night CYA level coastal navigation experience, on the water, aboard appropriate size vessels as outlined in the Standards.
Approximate Training Timeline: Current Advanced Cruising Instructor + 24 hours for instructor course
The candidate must be a current Coastal Navigation Instructor and Advanced Cruising Instructor, with practical experience and training in radar operation and collision avoidance techniques, and an advanced level on the water navigation skills.
Approximate Training Timeline: 24 hours for instructor course
The candidate must be a current Offshore Cruising Instructor, with practical day and night CYA level celestial navigation experience, on the water, aboard appropriate size vessls as outlined in the Standards.
Approximate Training Timeline: 24 hours for instructor course
Ontario
Sailing Recommended Courses:
(Click on the Course Logos for a full description of the Course & Prerequisites)
Learn to Power Stream Back to Top
Ontario
Sailing Recommended Courses:
(Click on the Course Logos for a full description of the Course & Prerequisites)
The Outboard Powerboat Instructor program gives instructors the ability to certify students in the Basic Outboard standard. The Basic Outboard standard evaluates the candidate's ability to safely operate in familiar waters as skipper of a craft under 6.0 metres and powered by an outboard engine under 55 KW (75 horsepower).
Approximate Training Timeline: 2 years boating experience + Basic Outboard standard + 50 hours for instructor course
The Basic Powerboat Instrcutor program allows instructor to certify students in both the Basic Outboard and Basic Powerboat standards. It is important that candidates be current in their boating skills and knowledge prior to entry into the instructor clinics. The general evaluation demands above average boating skills and there is no time during the clinic for remedial work. The Basic Powerboat standard (Day Skipper - Power) evaluates the candidate's ability to operate safely in local waters as skipper of a craft over 6.0 metres and powered by a engine over 55 KW (75 horsepower).
Approximate Training Timeline: 2 years powerboating experience + Basic Powerboat standard + Coastal Navigation standard + 50 hours for instructor course
The Intermediate Powerboat Instructor program allows instructors to certify students in the Basic Outboard, Basic Powerboat and Intermediate Power standards. The Intermediate Power Boat standard (Bareboat Skipper - Power) evaluates the candidate's ability to operate safely as a skipper of a powerboat between 8-12 metres with inboard engine(s), by day, in moderate wind and sea conditions.
Approximate Training Timeline: 150 hours as a Basic Cruising or Basic Powerboat Instructor + 17 days, minimum of 3 days at a time, of logged cruising time + 56 hours for instructor course
Ask an expert:
To ask an expert about becoming an instructor please send an e-mail to the following address programs@ontariosailing.ca