Vancouver Sailing Lessons
- STRUCTURED BUILDING BLOCKS of sailing knowledge, seamanship and boat-handling skills lead to Coastal and Offshore Skipper & Crew Certifications
- SAFETY IS FIRST competence and confidence aboard sailboats 20-55 feet
- cERTIFICATION, EXPERIENCE AND LICENCES required to own and charter sailing yachts locally and internationally
- TOP-RANKED INSTRUCTORS local and International Certified
- DAY SAILING and Coastal Cruising both local and international are part of the experience
VSC100 INTRODUCTION TO SAILING
Beginner
OBJECTIVES: A full F U N day on English Bay with a VSC Instructor introducing you to sailing terminology, the fundamentals of seamanship and sailing a sailboat in light and moderate sea conditions.
-
Availability:
-
Fridays and Saturdays, 8:30AM - 5:00PM- see CALENDAR for Individuals and Couples- CONTACT US for Private Groups
-
What' Included:
-
A Full day on-the water professional certified instruction on English Bay- Self-paced NauticEd courses Rules of the Road and Basic Sail Trim are included
-
Enrolment:
-
Individuals $269, Couples $495 and Private Groups 3-5 persons +GST
VSC101 QUALIFIED CREW
Beginner
OBJECTIVE: Enjoy a 2-day weekend on Vancouver's English Bay and earn your first sailing Certification and prerequisite leading to intermediate qualifications to own or bareboat charter a cruising sailboat locally and internationally.
- PREREQUISITE:
- Non. You have some boating experience and like to be on the water
- AVAILABILITY:
- Fridays and Saturdays, 8:30AM - 5:00PM- see CALENDAR for Individuals and Couples- CONTACT US for Private Groups
- CERTIFICATION:
- Internationally recognized NauticEd QUALIFIED CREW
- FORMAT:
- 2-day weekend practical on the water course. You may also consider taking this courses as one of the two courses taken during a 7-day Cruise & Learn Adventure to Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, British Virgin Islands, VSC101 QUALIFIED CREW or the Caribbean's Grenadines Islands (January 2018)
- Enrolment:
- Individuals $595, Couples $1075, Private Groups 2-5 persons $2395 +GST

VSC102 SKIPPER SMALL KEELBOAT
Beginner
OVERVIEW: The NauticEd Skipper Small Keelboat course is for those wishing to successfully master the skills needed to sail a boat in the 18 to 25 ft range. The course covers everything from the outboard engine and maneuvering skills to sail trim and understanding how to be a true leader on a small keelboat.
- PREREQUISITE:
- None. This is a beginner course suitable for singles and couples purchasing their first sailboat
- AVAILABILITY:
- Year-round weekends Saturday, Sunday and Monday 8:30AM - 5:00PM- see CALENDAR for Individuals and Couples
- CERTIFICATION:
- Internationally recognized NauticEd SKIPPER SMALL KEELBOAT
- FORMAT:
- Enrolment:
- Practical 3-day on the water weekend course in English Bay & Howe Sound
- Individuals $775, Couples $1275, Private Group 2-4 persons $2475 +GST
VSC203 DAY SKIPPER (COASTAL)
Intermediate Cruising
OBJECTIVE: Develop foundation sailing knowledge, seamanship, boat handling, and navigation skills for coastal cruising within sight of land. Cruise safely in familiar waters as both skipper and crew of a sloop rigged keelboat of 6 to 11 meters with an outboard or inboard motor in moderate wind and sea conditions by day.
- PREREQUISITE:
- VSC101 Qualified Crew, RYA Competent Crew, CYA Basic Crew or ASA101 Basic Keelboat or successful CHALLENGE
- AVAILABILITY:
- Weekend courses from Vancouver. BC and international Cruise & Learn adventures held throughout year
- CERTIFICATION:
- Internationally recognized NauticEd DAY SKIPPER
- FORMAT:
- Includes NauticEd Day Skipper pre-course study. Practical on the water 3-day weekend course in Howe Sound. Also, take this course as one of two courses taken during a 7-day Cruise & Learn Adventure to Gulf Islands (April, May and Sept. 2018/2019), Desolation Sound (July & August 2018/2019), VSC101 QUALIFIED CREW (June 2018/2019) or the Caribbean's BVI (Dec 2018/2019) and Grenadines Islands (January 2018/2019)
- Enrolment:
- Individuals $725, Couples $1325, Private Group 2-5 persons $2975 +GST
VSC204 BAREBOAT CRUISING MASTER
Intermediate Cruising
OBJECTIVES: Able to plan 7-day passage and cruise as both Skipper and Crew in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. Instruction vessel must be a sailing yacht of 9-12 meters, sloop rigged with an inboard auxillary engine, CCG Safety Equipment compliant. The standard emphasizes on-the-water skills at a level for bareboat chartering for extended cruises in coastal waters.
- PREREQUISITES:
- Requirements prior to taking the standard: VSC203 Day Skipper • VHF Radio Operator Certificate (Maritime), • Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card (PCOC or equivalent). Recommended prior to taking the standard: • First aid and CPR certificate, • Coastal Navigation
- CERTIFICATION:
- Internationally recognized NauticEd BAREBOAT CRUISING MASTER and SLCtm (Sailing Licence Certificationtttm)on request
- AVAILABILITY:
- February to November, March to November, November to April
- FORMAT:
- Includes NauticEd Bareboat Cruising Master self-paced pre-course study. Practical on-the-water 3-day weekend course in Howe Sound. Also, take this courses as one of the two courses taken during a 7-day Cruise & Learn Adventure to Gulf Islands (April, May and Sept.), Desolation Sound (July & August), VSC101 QUALIFIED CREW (June 2018/2019) or the Caribbean's BVI (Dec 2018/2019) and Grenadines Islands (January 2018/2019)
- Enrolment:
- 3-day Cruise & Learn weekend $875 inclusive, 5-Day Gulf Islands C&L $1375 inclusive + GST

VSC205 COASTAL NAVIGATION
Intermediate
OBJECTIVES: Learn navigation theory, understand weather forecasts, develop charting skills and demonstrate GPS operations required to safely navigate a sailing vessel in coastal and inland waters.
- PREREQUISITE:
- None. This course is suitable for Power or Sail recreational boating.
- 2018 AVAILABILITY:
- All year round. Practical on the water 3-day weekend course in Howe Sound. You may also consider taking this courses as one of the two courses taken during a 7-day Cruise & Learn Adventure to Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, British Virgin Islands, VSC101 QUALIFIED CREW or the Caribbean Grenadines Islands (January 2018)
- CERTIFICATION:
- Internationally recognized NauticEd COASTAL NAVIGATION COURSE
- FORMAT:
- NauticEd Coastal Navigation eLearning Course & Examination, 3-day practical during 3, 5 & 7 day Cruise & Learn Mileage Builders
- Enrolment:
- $325 Theory and $475 Practical aboard +GST

VSC321 ADVANCED COASTAL OFFSHORE CRUISING
Advanced Cruising
OBJECTIVES: Learn to safely perform as Skipper and Crew on sailing vessels 35 to 50 feet in length in all weather conditions day and night, within 150 miles of coast.
- Prerequisite:
- 50 days seatime as skipper or crew, NauticED Bareboat Charter Master, VSC204 Bareboat Charter Master, VHF Radio Operator Certificate (Maritime) VSC205 Coastal Navigation Certification or ASA104
- Availability:
- May and September. You may also consider taking this courses as one of the two courses taken during a 7-day Cruise & Learn Adventure to Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, British Virgin Islands, VSC101 QUALIFIED CREW or the Caribbean Grenadines Islands (January 2018). For Racing Skipper Stream, Victoria to Maui Race and VanIsle360 Race qualify for Practical.
- Certification:
- Internationally recognized NauticEd CAPTAIN RANK
- Format:
- 7 day Cruise & Learn course with overnight sailing passages, includes NauticEd CAPTAIN pre-course study
- Enrolment:
- Individuals $1975, Couples $3675 +GST

VSC338 OFFSHORE SAILING MASTER Certification
Advanced Cruising
OBJECTIVES: The sailor is able to safely act as crew, plan and sail passage of 600+nm, perform duties of Watch Captain and Person-in-Charge of an offshore equipped (ISAF Cat 0) sailing vessel on offshore cruising passages and long distance racing.
- Prerequisite:
- Availability:
- Enrolment:
- You may during a 7- 14 day Cruise & Learn Adventure to Westcoast Vancouver Island and Inside Passage , Caribbean Grenadines Islands (January 2018). For Racing Skipper Stream, Victoria to Maui Race and VanIsle360 Race qualify for Practical.VSC321 Advanced Coastal Skipper Certification, 50 days of Logged experience as Skipper and Crew or ASA 105 &106
- Individuals $1975/ $3475 +GST inclusive
When you enrol for courses and Cruise & Learn Adventures at the VSC you will receive the cloud-based NauticEd Sailing Resume and Log Book for:
- entering and organizing your sailing certifications, licenses and endorsements (existing and future)
- recording and verifying experience
- providing easy cloud-based communications to Yacht Chartering and Insurance companies worldwide
You can add/update to your log Book with the NauticEd SMART PHONE APP and authenticate your logged experience via automated email with other sailors on your crew.