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Programs


ADULT SAILING 


Our Adult Sailing Programs cater to sailors from beginner to high performance. Our programs teach the necessary skills for both cruisers and racers.  
 

You’ll enjoy:

  • Working with friendly, experienced instructors and race coaches
  • The fantastic environment of Toronto Harbour and Islands
  • Meeting RCYC sailors and making long-lasting friendships
  • Sailing with new programs every season

RCYC offers a number of courses to best suit your sailing needs. Our Learn to Sail courses programs will teach the basics of sailing to get you started. Our Adult Novice Sailing courses will teach you more sailing skills and technical knowledge applied in a dinghy.  Our Cruising courses will teach the skills necessary to properly and safely skipper your own boat.
 

For more information about our programs and registration, contact the Sailing Department at 416.967.7245 ext. 595 or email: [email protected]

 


Intro to Sailing

A one-day introductory course designed to give a quick overview of sailing before joining a full course. Sailors are guided by friendly instructors in small class sizes to create a memorable adventure with friends or family. The day begins with a lesson on basic theory followed by demonstrations before heading out on the water for some practical experience. This course is perfect for beginners or as quick review. Bring a friend and spend your day on Toronto Island learning how to sail. Intro to Sailing is a foundation to begin working towards the Adult CANSail 1&2 certification.

 


LEARN TO SAIL

The Learn to Sail program is designed to be a set of progressive learn-to-sail standards focused on providing sailors with a solid foundation of core skills. It allows sailors to learn the fundamental skills before adding complex skills. Lessons include sail trim, helming, boat maneuvers and safety procedures taught by experienced instructors in small class sizes. This is a Sail Canada certification course.  


Adult Novice Dinghy 

The Novice Adult Sailing course is designed to be the next step after participants have completed a Learn-To-Sail course or have prior experience but want to continue developing their skills. Sailors will become more comfortable in the boat after spending more time as a skipper or crew. This course is taught by an experienced Instructor in a small group. This is also a Sail Canada (CANSail 2 or 3) certification course with a prerequisite of CANSail 1 or equivalent.

REGISTER HERE



Women's Sailing Social

The popular sailing group meets every week to bring together female Members from all corners of the Club. The Monday night sessions run throughout the season and will focus on specific skills development. After sailing enjoy a social gathering with participants to chat about your sailing experiences. 

LEARN MORE
 


Keelboat Courses


Basic Cruising

Learn to Cruise safely as both skipper and crew of a keelboat in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. The focus of this course is on the development of basic sailing and seamanship skills as well as the knowledge needed to make the decisions expected of a skipper. This is a Sail Canada Certification course.

REGISTER HERE

 

RCYC Member-Only Programs

 

IDEAL 18 FLEET CLUB

Join the Club-owned fleet to access our sailboats all season and become part of the active community.

LEARN MORE
 


Private Lessons

Looking for more specific training? Book a private lesson and cater your lesson to suit your needs. Private lessons can range from: Ideal 18 Learn to Sail to advanced Sonar techniques.  We can also offer advanced dinghy sailing lessons or beginner keelboat lessons. Private lessons are open to both Members and non-members. They run out of our Toronto Island Clubhouse with launch service to the island included.

To book a private lesson, please contact [email protected]

 


YOUTH SAILING

Our Junior Club has produced international champions and skilled sailors across many different disciplines since its inception in 1925. As we celebrate Junior Club’s 100th year in 2025, our dedication to nurturing the next generation of skilled sailors is matched only by our passion for helping young people fall in love with life on the water.

CHECK OUT OUR 2025 PROGRAM GUIDE HERE

REGISTER HERE

 


Youth Learn to Sail

RCYC offers a variety of youth sailing programs. Whether you’re a new or returning sailor; there is a fun and exciting sailing experience here for you! The fundamental sailing skills taught in our program will enable youth to explore a future in cruising, racing or wherever their passion takes them.

RCYC follows the CANSail Development Program, Sail Canada’s national training program for sailing in dinghies. The program is a standardized system that promote progressive training of dinghy sailing skills and knowledge. The CANSail model is a standardized system used by the majority of sailing schools in Canada, ensuring all are taught with the same tools.

It's time to start planning for a new season full of sunny days, big smiles!

 


Youth Racing Programs

RCYC has a rich history of producing some of Canada’s best sailors. Many of our sailors were members of the Canadian Sailing Team and went on to represent Canada at Olympic Games, Pan Am Games, World Championships, Europeans, North American Championships, Canada Summer Games and other major events.

Our Racing programs are designed to develop lifelong sailors through top quality coaching, individual training plans, goal setting sessions, nutrition, and fitness. Our racing programs feature development and high-performance levels for the Optimist, ILCA (formerly Laser), C420 and 29er.

Race Teams will train and compete in regional and national competitions, and possibly continental events. Emphasis will be on personal development to achieve their best possible result. Sailors will be encouraged to qualify for international and National youth teams if and when possible.
 

For more information,  please direct your inquiries as follows:


Junior Club Programs, Head Instructor - [email protected]
Race Team Programs, Osvaldo Padron, Head Coach - [email protected]
RCYC Programs & Information - [email protected]                     


WOMEN IN SAILING


Women’s Sailing is one of the most popular recreational programs on the Island. Open to all female RCYC Members and non-members, this weekly program provides a great opportunity to meet other Club Members while improving sailing skills on and off the water.

If you’re new to the Women’s Sailing program, our community of female sailors strives for a fun, friendly environment and encourages an active lifestyle, all while enjoying the company of others for a relaxed experience. With a wide range of skill levels—from beginners to long-time racers and cruisers—our sailing instructors and occasional volunteers work with you to achieve your sailing goals.

The program offers sailing on Mondays for beginner to intermediate sailors, with further skill training for women interested in racing on Thursdays.

Join us to practice the fundamentals of sailing in an Ideal 18, a small dinghy with a fixed keel for stability. With two to three women in a boat, sailors gain experience in sail trim, boat handling and safety in different conditions to build confidence in sailing.

 

REGISTER HERE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Non-Member Information
Registration for Summer Programs is now open!

Please note that all programs will be released as waitlist only from January 8th to February 6th. On February 7th, RCYC Members will be given priority placement and have their registrations confirmed. Remaining availability will be allocated to non-members on the waitlist and confirmed based on date of registration received. As of February 7th, remaining spots will become open to everyone on a first come-first serve basis. 

REGISTER NOW!

For more detailed program information please review our Program Guide found here.
 
Contact [email protected]  for any other inquiries.

Need-to-Know Information for Junior Club

Typical Day

The following schedule is a typical day at Junior Club. All times and daily activities are subject to change and are weather dependent. Race team schedules may differ due to regattas or training schedules.
 
8:15 or 8:45 Launch to Island
Approx 9:00 Rigging of boats
9:30 -10:00 On Shore Lesson
10:30 -12:00 On water sailing
12:00 - 13:00 Lunch 
13:00 - 15:30 Afternoon Sailing session
15:30 – 16:00 Derig boats
16:00 or 16:30 Launch to City Station


What to Bring

Sailing is an outdoor sport so you will be in the sun for long periods.  It is important that you have proper protection and clothing for any weather. Here are some suggestions that participants should bring with them:
 
 Sunny Days  Rainy Days
  • Closed toed shoes - Mandatory
  • Refillable Water bottle
  • Snacks
  • Long sleeve Shirt (not cotton)
  • Sunscreen
  • Shorts
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Bathing Suit/Towel
  • Extra dry clothes
  • Closed toed shoes - Mandatory
  • Refillable Water Bottle
  • Snacks
  • Rain Gear
  • Fleece sweater
  • Pants
  • Hat
  • Towel
  • Extra dry clothes
 
A Canadian Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is required to participate. RCYC does not have extra PFD’s for participants, please be sure to bring your own.

Closed toed shoes are mandatory. No bare feet, sandals, slides or flip flops will be allowed.
Rowan's Law - Concussion Policy
Rowan’s Law was named for Rowan Stringer, a high school rugby player from Ottawa, who died in the spring of 2013 from a condition known as second impact syndrome (swelling of the brain caused by a subsequent injury that occurred before a previous injury healed). Rowan is believed to have experienced three concussions over six days while playing rugby. She had a concussion but didn’t know her brain needed time to heal. Neither did her parents, teachers or coaches.

Rowan’s Law and Rowan’s Law Day were established to honor her memory and bring awareness to concussions and concussion safety. The last Wednesday of each September has been designated as Rowan’s Law Day to help raise awareness about concussion safety.


Rowan’s Law - Rules

In 2019, new concussion rules came into effect through Rowan’s Law, to improve concussion safety in amateur competitive sport. If you are an athlete under 26 years of age*, parent of an athlete under 18, coach, team trainer or official you need to follow the rules of Rowan’s Law below:

  • Review any one of Ontario's official Concussion Awareness Resources before registering or serving with your sport organization; and
  • Review your sport organization’s Concussion Code of Conduct that they will provide to you; and
  • Confirm that you have reviewed both of these resources every year with your sport organization(s)?

* Exception: A sport organization that is a University, College of Applied Arts and Technology or other Post-Secondary Institution will be advising athletes of any age that they need to follow the rules of Rowan’s Law.

Involved in more than one sport?

No matter how many sport organizations you register with in a given year, you are only required to review a Concussion Awareness Resource once within that year. You are however required to confirm your review of a Concussion Awareness Resource with each sport organization with which you register.
 
You are also required to both review and confirm your review of the Concussion Code of Conduct for each sport organization with which you register. The RCYC follows the Ontario Sailing recommendations and code of conducts.

Review the appropriate Ontario Official Concussion Awareness Resources:

  1. Review any one of Ontario's official Concussion Awareness Resources, linked below in English
  1. Review Ontario Sailing Concussion Code of Conduct
  2. Review EModule

Removal From/Return-to-sport

The Rowan’s Law Removal-from/Return-to-sport requirements came into effect in 2020. Sport organizations will be required to have a removal-from/return-to-sport protocol. RCYC will follow the Ontario Sailing procedures:


Additional Information:

FAQ AND DETAILS FOR THE SEASON

FAQ AND DETAILS FOR THE SEASON:

 
Evening sessions include brief lessons from instructors at the dock at 6:00 pm before heading out on the water, and an in-depth debrief in the Clubhouse. All sailors are encouraged to catch the 5:15 pm ferry to be ready on time, with the 5:45 pm ferry as the final boat. Most women return home on the 9:00 pm ferry after debriefing or stay late for socializing.
 
It is recommended to complete the CANSail 1&2 course prior to joining. Our friendly instructors will continue to build your confidence in the boat and encourage sailors to keep adding to their skillset every week.
 
Sailors are required to wear lifejackets/PFDs and closed toed shoes while on the water.
 
Mark your calendars with the Spring Work Party and Ideal 18 Orientation clinic! These weekend dates are important for new and returning sailors to the program. You will learn about the boat before your first sail, and get your first introduction to the great community of RCYC Members involved throughout the season.
 

Please contact [email protected] for any questions.

Where do the sailing lessons take place?
Our sailing lessons are taught at our Island facility in the Toronto Islands. Participants will take the private RCYC ferry from City Station: 150 Cherry Street over to the Island Clubhouse.
Is there parking at 150 Cherry Street?
Yes. Please refer to this link for more information regarding parking
Which adult classes are for beginners?
Intro to Sailing, Learn to Sail and Basic Cruising are all beginner courses, please read the description of each to find the course that best suits your needs.
What is the cancellation policy?
To view our Cancellation Policy, please click here.
What are the chances of moving off the waitlist into the program?
 Individuals on the waitlist can get onto the class list if a current registrant decides to cancel their registration. There is no sure way to tell if someone will be brought onto the class list from the waitlist, but we will reach out to the person at the top of the waitlist if a spot does open up.
What should I bring/wear?
  • Closed toed shoes are mandatory
  • Wear shoes with a soft non-marking sole. Running shoes are acceptable but be sure they are non marking
  • A sweater as it can be colder on the water compared to shore
  • A windbreaker is also useful as it can keep the water and wind out
  • A change of clothes is also recommended
Warm & sunny days:
  • Refillable water bottle
  • Long sleeve shirt, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses
Cool and rainy days:
  • Refillable water bottle, rain gear, fleece, extra clothes
  • Life jacket or PFD
If I receive a refund, how long will it take for the funds to be returned?
If a refund is made, you should see the amount back in your account within 3 to 5 business days.
Can I lock my bike on the Island or at City Station?
Yes, there are bike racks at City Station to lock up your bike. If you are arriving from the Island there are more bike racks beside the pool building as well.
When taking the Adult Learn to Sail course, can I obtain both CANSail 1 and CANSail 2 certification?
If it is your first time sailing, you will be working towards your CanSail 1 certification. It is possible to achieve your CanSail 2 level when taking the Learn to Sail course if you have prior sailing experience or you already have your CanSail 1. Please talk to your coach about learning CanSail 2 content at the beginning of the class.
 
Do I need to complete the Intro to Sailing Course before taking the Learn to Sail or Basic Cruising courses?
No, the Intro to Sailing class is a one day (8 hours of class time) course aimed towards people who may be unsure about committing to a full session of either the Learn to Sail or the Basic Cruising course which both have 24 hours of class time.
Is sailing cancelled when the forecast calls for thunderstorms?
No, even if it is raining or storming out, there are many theory lessons we can teach on land and wait out the storms.