Set sail with National Yacht Club’s Sailing & Racing School! Our enthusiastic, Sail Canada certified instructors teach programs for ages 7-18 ranging from beginner to race level. Sailing fundamentals are taught through engaging on-water lessons and fun shore-side activities. Get out on the water this summer and develop confidence, independence and communication skills!

Choose the right programs and sessions for your child; currently 7 programs available.

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The Our Kids review of National Yacht Club Sailing Camp and School

The NYC was founded in 1894, and was first know, charmingly, the National Yacht and Skiff Club. It’s grown and changed over the years, but throughout has remained a cornerstone of sailing in the city. The location, to be sure, is one of the benefits—accessible by public transportation, it’s also a place of escape, a chance to get away from the bustle of the city and mess about in boats. The club remains an expression of the community it serves, and is also host to a number of annual regattas. When campers arrive, they enter that world—the culture of sailing, the community it represents—and are granted an opportunity to escape within it while also learning essential skills from some of the best. Certified instructors make it fun, active, and exciting, all within the shadow of the Toronto skyline.

Gabrielle Blais-Jones, NYC Vice Commodore - Education
Member Board of Directors

Dear Parents,

It is a great pleasure to be responsible for the National Yacht Club's education programs, for kids from the age of 7 to 99! I have personally been an active participant in life at the National Yacht club for over 20 years, and I am in my second year as a member of the Board of Directors. National Yacht Club was first established in 1890 and has grown over the years to a premier club in the heart of downtown Toronto. NYC's Sailing & Racing School has run a very successful program for over 60 years and is open to members and non-members age 7 to 18.

I myself am an alumna of this program, beginning at the age of 7 and continuing until age 18. I then taught at the club for a few seasons during university. Many of the kids who sign up come back year after year, both to work their way through the CANSail levels, and to reconnect with the friends they have made on the water. At the Sailing and Racing School, students learn not only the skills needed for sailing, but also determination and perseverance necessary to succeed in difficult situations. Our programs are catered to all sailors, from people who have never set foot on a boat, to people who are racing at competitive levels, so your child is sure to find the right fit!

Safety is our first rule, closely followed by fun and keeping a positive attitude so that kids both learn to sail and have a fun summer. Our camp coaches are all certified CANSail instructors who have been trained to introduce and develop sailing skills both through interactive on-land lessons as well as on-water sessions. Our instructors are all first aid trained and familiar with the latest boating safety techniques. Not only do campers learn the sailing basics - balance, sail trim and steering - they are also taught terminology, how to tie knots for rigging, and boating safety procedures - like how to capsize and recover their own boat.

For our beginner level I CANSail and CANSail 1 sessions, students are introduced to fundamentals of dinghy sailing in our fleet SailCube and Optimist dinghies. These boats are small (8-feet long), stable and that can be sailed with a partner or solo. Last season, we added two new RS Quest sailboats to our program, which were used enthusiastically by our CANSail 2 sailors as well as for our adult learn to sail lessons. Our intermediate CANSail 3&4 participants as well as our advanced CANSail 5&6 sailors sail on C420 dinghies, 14-foot boats sailed by two people. All of these types of boats are ideal for sail training and are commonly used in learn-to-sail programs.

Our CANSail 5&6 youth racing program is one of the best around! This advanced sailing program emphasizes sailing theory, teamwork, racing tactics and strategies. We always have top caliber coaches and are our sailors are often leading the fleet in local and regional regattas. We have even had several NYC sailors represent our club on the Ontario and Canadian Sailing Teams over the years! If your child is just starting sailing, they certainly have good role models in our advanced level sailors.

Not only do our campers learn how to sail, they also have a blast doing it! Our instructors plan theme days, organize sailing trips to the Toronto Island beach, lead nautical arts and crafts activities and play games on and off the water. If you want your child to have a unique camp experience and learn something completely new while enjoying the outdoors in Toronto, this is the camp for you!

If you are thinking of enrolling your child in any of our sailing programs, I invite you to come down to the Club for a tour. We will be happy to answer any of your questions and show you our facilities. We look forward to being part of your child’s education and fun summer activities! 

Gabrielle Blais-Jones 
Vice Commodore Education

Accommodations:

Washrooms Facilities

More details about accommodations: National Yacht Club has several large outdoor tents and a large clubhouse, with multiple rooms used by the Sailing & Racing School, as well as bathroom and shower facilities on-site. Each cohort of sailors will have seperate and specifically designated meeting location for their group for all on-shore activities - drop off, lunch, poor weather, pick up, etc.

Property Details:

Landscape

More details about property: Campers spend most of their time sailing on Lake Ontario, but also can be found rigging and de-rigging boats in the boat yard, playing games on the Club lawn or enjoying indoor activities in the Clubhouse during inclement weather. We also visit local parks as well as the Toronto Island beaches on fun adventure sails.

• NYC - Good Vibe

  NYC delivered a great experience for my son. Nothing but good reports about instructors. Overall, NYC - good vibe.

• A Fabulous Way to Spend Summer in the City!

  Our daughter has been in the program at NYC for 8 years and before that we knew of the program through our own sailing. If you want to introduce your child to the thrill and skill of sailing, National has a great program with friendly staff. A fabulous way to spend summer in the city!

• Wonderful Experience

  My son had a blast at sailing camp and he plans to return next summer! The instructors and staff were fantastic and the program was well organized and offers a unique opportunity to learn to sail. Overall - a wonderful experience - thank you!