Wild About Sailing

This course is a place to build real sailing skills in an environment where you can show up exactly as you are.

Ready to learn sailing your way? This two-day course builds foundational sailing skills in a supportive, collaborative environment. Learn what makes the boat go, how to set and trim sails, basic maneuvers, and essential safety. By the end, you'll be ready to crew confidently on daytime sailing adventures.

Who should enrol

This course is for 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals with little or no sailing experience who want to learn in a space designed with their community in mind.

No prerequisites. You don't need any experience — just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

What you'll receive

A space where you belong: Learn in an environment where questions flow freely, mistakes are welcome, pronouns are respected, and everyone gets heard. Annalise Van Ham, a veteran adventure sailor, runner and backcountry skier, teaches this course. You'll benefit from her patient teaching style, real-world expertise, and genuine commitment to making sailing accessible to everyone.

Hands-on learning aboard modern boats: Build skills on our forgiving but responsive performance cruisers, Student Driver and Sloop du Jour, in protected waters near Sidney, BC. You'll practice steering, sail trim, crew commands, basic knots, and boat handling under both sail and power.

Collaborative learning without competition: Small groups (maximum four students) mean individual attention and plenty of practice time. Learn efficient techniques for handling lines and sails. No "muscling through" required. We'll problem-solve together and discover what works for your body and learning style.

Sail Canada certification: Earn Sail Canada's Start Keelboat Sailing standard with credentials recognized across Canada. Opens doors to crew opportunities with experienced skippers and more advanced training.

A conversation about your sailing journey: Each course ends with time to reflect on what you've learned, discuss your goals, and explore next steps: more training, club sailing, or planning your own adventures.

Course format

• Two-hour pre-course orientation covering theory, terminology (on Zoom)
• Two full days on the water in Sidney, BC, with a minimum of 12 hours of coached sailing
• Lots of time for questions and practice
• Open-book learning exercises to reinforce concepts

Registering, deposits & final payment

This course is limited to four students. We require a minimum of three students for the course to proceed. If we don't meet our minimum enrollment, we'll work with you to find a convenient alternative date.

Students are required to pay a 25% deposit upon registration. The balance of course fees is due a month before the course starts.

Please see Wild About Sailing's course booking, refund and cancellation policies for more details.