Junior Sailing Programs

This is a two- week session for complete beginners or for students returning for the second year. The minimum age is 7 yrs and the maximum is 13 years of age as of July 1st.  As the Optimist sailing dinghies we use are designed for youngsters we do not recommend anyone entering the Learn-to-Sail  (Optimist) program if they are over 120 lbs (54.5 kg) or taller than 5'6'' (1.7 m).  Bigger children should sign up in Learn To Sail (420), which is a double handed program. 

A student is not limited to one session, someone returning for a second session will not have to start at square one again. The Sail Canada® level CanSail 1 & 2 can be achieved in the Learn-to-Sail (Optimist) program. The curriculum involves learning the basics, learning to skipper and handle a sailboat and acquiring the essential skills to do so safely.  Boats are provided. One child per boat.

• Introduction to the world of sailing
• Appropriate clothing
• Emphasis on safety on the water
• Rigging a boat
• Righting a capsized boat
• Identifying wind direction
• Sailing a course

For further information on this program contact:

1350 Lakeshore Drive
Dorval, Quebec H9S 2E3
Tel: (514) 631 2720
Fax: (514) 631 2725

Contact by email at junior@rstlyc.com

This is a two- week session for children ranging in age from 10 – 17 yrs as of July 1st who are beginners or students returning for a second year.  This program is suitable to kids that have finished their Learn to Sail (Optimist) training or if they are too big for the Optimist boat meaning they weigh over 120 lbs (54.5 kg) and/or 5'6'' (1.7 m) in height.

There are two sailors per 420 dinghy in this level CanSail 1 & 2 program that fosters teamwork and builds communication skills.

Also known as Basic Double Handed, this program builds on a young sailors knowledge with an  emphasis on boat safety, sailing theory, boat handling and crewing.

For further information on this program contact:

Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
1350 Lakeshore Drive 
Dorval, QC H9S 2E3
Tel.: 514 631-2720
Fax: 514 631-2725

or Contact by email at junior@rstlyc.com

This is a learn to race program using Optimist dinghies which has been a huge success in the past due to the rapid growth of the Optimist class racing in North America. The program provides an important step between Learn-to-Sail and the (Optimist) “Opti” racing team.

Candidates must have earned their CanSail 1 & 2 level before advancing into this CanSail 3 & 4 level.  The program is run using our twelve club-owned, Optimists. The four-week program takes the students through the basics of sailboat racing including advanced boat handling techniques, practice starts, short course racing followed up with on-land debriefing.

• Maximum of 12 students per 4 week session.
• One child per boat, eight children per instructor.
• Advanced boat handling techniques, short course racing.
• Participation in 1-2 local regattas.
• Full day of sailing and activities

Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
1350 Lakeshore Drive
Dorval, QC H9S 2E3
Tel.: 514 631-2720
Fax: 514 631-2725

or Contact by email at junior@rstlyc.com

This program caters to more seasoned candidates who have achieved CanSail 1 & 2 advancing towards CanSail 3 & 4 achievement, proficiency in sailing or those with an interest in racing.  The four-week program takes the students through the basics of sailboat racing including advanced boat handling techniques, practice starts, short course racing followed up with on-land debriefing as well as crew related skills including trapeze and spinnaker work.

Students will use our Club’s 420 sailing dinghies, and each candidate will be introduced to advanced racing, training and boat maintenance skills. The Club strongly encourages participants enroll in the Advanced Double Handed (420) program for the entire season.

• Maximum of 12 students per 4 week session.
• Two sailors per boat, eight children per instructor.
• Advanced boat handling techniques, short course racing.
• Participation in 1-2 local regattas.
• Broad boat handling skills such as flying a spinnaker and using a trapeze.

For further information on this program contact:

Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club
1350 Lakeshore Drive
Dorval, QC H9S 2E3
Tel.: 514 631-2720
Fax: 514 631-2725

or Contact by email at junior@rstlyc.com