TOPIC 1: GLOSSARY and DEFINITIONS

What is the difference between “trained” and “certified”?

• “Trained” instructors have successfully completed all prerequisites and a CANSail Technical clinic. They have basic skills required to teach and are ready to begin instructing. They have two years from their original clinic date to December 31 to gain experience and become “certified”. They must keep all prerequisites current and register as instructors with Sail Canada on an annual basis.
• “Certified instructors” have successfully passed an on-the-water evaluation to move from “trained” status to “certified” status. Unlike trained instructors, certified instructors are eligible for recertification. They must keep all prerequisites current and register as instructors with Sail Canada on an annual basis.

What is the difference between an assessment and an evaluation?

• Instructor candidates who are working towards a “trained” status receive an “assessment” from a Learning Facilitator during a CANSail Technical Clinic. Learning Facilitators provide guidance and support during this process to help candidates meet standards.
• Instructors undergo an “evaluation” with a Learning Facilitator to become certified or recertified. Candidates are required to meet standards without prompts from a Learning Facilitator.

What is a Learning Facilitator?

• Learning Facilitators are expert sailors and highly experienced instructors who deliver courses and clinics to aspiring dinghy instructors. They are a talented and dedicated group of individuals who enjoy coaching and helping sailing instructors succeed. They are essential members of the Ontario Sailing community, who often participate in curriculum design.
• Learning Facilitators must successfully complete rigorous training and maintain their skills through ongoing professional development.
• Are you interested in becoming a Learning Facilitator? For more information on Sail Canada’s criteria for becoming a Learning Facilitator, click HERE.

TOPIC 2: How do I become a CANSail dinghy instructor/coach in Ontario?

If you would like to begin the CANSail Dinghy instructor training process in time to begin working as an instructor in the upcoming sailing season in Ontario, it is important to plan ahead and make sure you allocate enough time to complete the requirements. Usually, this means you need to complete all the requirements before sailing schools begin their summer programs. Use Ontario Sailing’s NEW INSTRUCTOR CHECKLIST to track your progress and ensure you’ve completed all the requirements in time to begin instructing. Download HERE.

STEP ONE: Instructor candidates must be 16 years old or turning 16 in the calendar year that they begin the instructor training program.

STEP TWO: Ensure you have the sailing skills to meet the minimum requirements for CANSail instructors. If you have secured employment for the upcoming season, confirm the level that your employer would like you to have.

• CANSail 1&2 instructors must demonstrate they can sail at a CANSail 4 standard. Trained or certified CANSail 1&2 instructors can teach CANSail 1 and CANSail 2.
• CANSail 3&4 instructors must demonstrate they can sail at a CANSail 5 standard. Trained or certified CANSail 3&4 instructors can teach CANSail 1 through 4.
• CANSail Advanced instructors must have at least one year of experience as a trained CANSail 1 & 2 instructor. Trained or certified Advanced instructors can teach CANSail 1 through 4. Unlike a CANSail 3&4 instructor who must demonstrate they can sail at a CANSail 5 standard, Advanced instructors must demonstrate they can sail at a CANSail 4 standard.
• CANSail 5&6 instructors must demonstrate that they can sail at a CANSail 6 standard. Instructors who are trained or certified at this level can teach CANSail 5 and CANSail 6. Please note that if 5&6 instructor was not trained or certified as a 1&2, 3&4 or Advanced instructor, they cannot teach those levels and are only qualified to teach CANSail levels 5 and 6.

STEP THREE: Register for courses and clinics through the Ontario Sailing registration portal. (Refer to the FAQ topic 5 for more on registration and course and clinic schedules).

STEP FOUR: Make a plan to complete external prerequisites as soon as possible. Refer to FAQ topic 4 more information about prerequisites.

STEP FIVE: Once your training is complete and you have submitted your external prerequisites via email to Ontario Sailing, you can register as an instructor through your Sail Canada profile. Registration includes professional fees and instructor liability insurance. All instructors are required to register on an annual basis.

How much does it cost to become an instructor?

FEES FOR THE 2023 season:

• CANSail Fundamental Course: $357.30
• Coach Boat Safety Course: $137.85
• CANSail Technical Clinic (1&2, 3&4, Advanced, 5&6): $611.34
• Evaluation to become certified or recertified: $191.79
• Standard First Aid with CPR-C: Cost varies depending on provider
• Pleasure Craft Operating Card: Cost varies depending on provider
• Police Background Check: Cost varies depending on provider
• Annual Instructor Dues: $170.00 (through Sail Canada)

For more information on prerequisites and required courses and clinics, refer to Ontario Sailing’s NEW INSTRUCTOR CHECKLIST. This tool assists prospective and new instructors with tracking their progress on the training pathway, to ensure they fulfil all the requirements and complete the necessary components.

TOPIC 3: Fundamental course, Technical Clinic, Coach Boat Safety course, recert/eval clinic

What is the CANSail Fundamental course?

• The CANSail Fundamental course is the first step on the dinghy instructor training pathway and is mandatory for all CANSail instructors. It is offered online or in person. The online course consists of five two-hour sessions, which take place over five weeks. Sessions usually run in the evening (Eastern Time). For example, an online Fundamental course could run for 5 consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7-9pm ET. Fundamental courses are offered in the fall through the spring. Fundamental courses are not offered in June, July or August. The in-person version of this course is delivered over one weekend (Friday evening 6-9pm; Saturday 9am-6pm; Sunday 9am-6pm).

What is the Making Ethical Decisions (MED) evaluation?

• The Making Ethical Decisions evaluation corresponds to the Coaching Association of Canada’s “Making Ethical Decisions Module” which is embedded in the curriculum of the Fundamental course. The Coaching Association requires participants to do the evaluation through their online platform called “The Locker” after they complete Fundamental course. There is a lag time between the end of the Fundamental course and when access to the Making Ethical Decisions module is made available FREE OF CHARGE to participants, so wait for instructions from the Ontario Sailing office before attempting the evaluation. Otherwise, The Locker will ask you to pay an $85 fee.

*For more information on The Locker and how to use it, see FAQ topic 8.

Where do instructor training courses and clinics take place?

• On-the-water clinics and courses (CANSail Technical Clinics, Coach Boat Safety, Recert/Eval Clinics) are offered at various locations.

What is a CANSail Technical Clinic?

• CANSail Technical Clinics are offered over two consecutive weekends. During technical clinics instructors in training learn new skills and at the end of the clinic are assessed on components including lesson planning, lesson delivery, creating an emergency action plan, on-the-water coaching skills and sailing skills. Technical clinics also include theory exams, with a grade of 80% or higher required to pass.

What is the theory test? When and where do I write the theory test?

• All technical clinics include a theory test. Candidates must receive a grade of 80% or higher on a theory test to pass. Theory tests are conducted online or in-person in advance of the technical clinic. If a candidate is unsuccessful at their first theory test attempt, they will be offered opportunities to retest. Candidates must complete a retest within 12 months of their original attempt.

What gear should I bring to an on-the-water clinic?

• Sailing apparel (water is COLD)
• Towel
• PFD
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Sailing footwear (closed-toed)
• Sailing gloves
• Foul weather gear
• Folding chair
• Hand sanitizer
• Face masks if mask mandates are in place
• This list is not exhaustive. Your Learning Facilitator will provide additional information.

What teaching materials should I bring to a technical clinic? Should I prepare my sample lessons before the clinic and be ready to deliver them?

Yes. Be prepared to deliver your lessons and bring the following teaching materials to your clinic:

• Prepared briefing on flipchart or bristol board
• Extra flipchart paper
• Clipboard (to write theory test)
• Writing utensils (pen, pencil)
• Tape
• Markers
• Notebook

Is food available for purchase on site during a technical clinic?

• This is specific to the clinic host site. Be sure to bring plenty of water.

What is the Coach Boat Safety course? How long is it?

• The Coach Boat Safety course is a half-day course that takes place in person on the water. Participants learn safety and rescue procedures and are required to demonstrate competency in performing these procedures. This course includes a mandatory online independent study that participants must complete prior to the course. After registering for Coach Boat Safety, registrants receive information on how to access and complete the independent study online through Ontario Sailing’s e-learning platform.

What gear should I bring with me to a Coach Boat Safety course?

• Sailing apparel (water is COLD)
• Towel
• PFD
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Sailing footwear (closed-toed)
• Sailing gloves
• Foul weather gear
• Folding chair
• Hand sanitizer
• Face masks if mask mandates are in place
• This list is not exhaustive, your Learning Facilitator will provide additional information.

TOPIC 4: External Prerequisites (offered through providers external to Ontario Sailing and Sail Canada)

Submit proof of all external prerequisites to Ontario Sailing, except for Enhanced Police Background Checks, which should be sent to Sail Canada at instructor@sailing.ca.

What type of first aid/CPR certification is acceptable for dinghy instructors?

• Sail Canada requires dinghy instructors to have Standard First Aid with CPR-C, earned through a course that includes at least 13 hours of instruction. Courses offered entirely online are not accepted. Examples of providers include The Canadian Red Cross, The Lifesaving Society and St. John Ambulance.

What is a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)?

Information from Transport Canada is available HERE.

Do I need a police background check? How do I get one? Where do I send it?

• Sail Canada requires an Enhanced Police Information Check for all instructors aged 18 and older. Sail Canada will accept police checks completed through Sterling Backcheck (click HERE) or through your local police station.
• Important: If an instructor turns 18 during the sailing season after they have already registered with Sail Canada for the year, they must provide a police check to Sail Canada for their instructor profile to remain in good standing.
• For questions about police checks or to submit one for your profile, contact instructor@sailing.ca.

What is Safe Sport Training?

• All instructors must complete Safe Sport Training program every 5 years and submit proof of completion to Ontario Sailing or Sail Canada. There are two Safe Sport Training options: EITHER The Coaching Association of Canada’s Safe Sport online module available free through The Locker, free of charge HERE OR Respect in Sport for Activity Leaders, offered by Respect Group for $25 HERE.

*For more information on The Locker and how to use it, see FAQ topic 8.

TOPIC 5: Course Schedule and How to Register

When is the course schedule available? How do I register for a course?

FALL/WINTER: To begin training for the following sailing season, Ontario Sailing offers online CANSail Fundamental courses September through December based on demand. Courses are scheduled on a rolling basis and posted for registration on the Ontario Sailing website approximately one month before the course starts.

LATE JANUARY: CANSail Technical Clinics, Recert/Eval Clinics and Coach Boat Safety courses are open for registration through the registration portal of the Ontario Sailing website. Ontario Sailing recommends enrolling in these courses as early as possible to secure a spot in your preferred clinic or course. You can also add your name to a waitlist for each course through the registration portal. These courses and clinics are offered in spring to prepare for the summer sailing season.

WINTER/SPRING: Ontario Sailing offers online CANSail Fundamental courses January through April based on demand. In some years, an in-person CANSail Fundamental course is offered at a location in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area. Courses are scheduled and posted for registration on the Ontario Sailing website on a rolling basis, approximately one month before the course starts.

How do I register for a course?

• Register through Ontario Sailing’s HERE. Select a course category from the drop-down menu. Wait a few moments. A course description will appear. If there are courses scheduled and open for registration in that category, they will appear below the general description. Select the button on the right beside a specific course offering to register. If the course is waitlisted, an hourglass icon will appear. Click on that icon to add your name to a waiting list.

TOPIC 6: Sail Canada Profiles and Annual Instructor Registration

What is a Sail Canada profile? Do I have one?

• If you have taken sailing classes in Canada through a recognized provider, you will likely have a Sail Canada profile that lists your student sailing levels (dinghy, cruising) or race official certifications. As instructors progress through the training program and return as instructors in subsequent years, their credentials and prerequisites are recorded on their Sail Canada profiles. It is important to make sure your contact information and date of birth listed on your profile are correct.
• Instructors register with Sail Canada each year through their Sail Canada profile. Instructor registration includes annual professional dues and instructor liability insurance. It is an instructor’s responsibility to ensure that their Sail Canada profile is up to date and in good standing.

How do I access my Sail Canada profile? How do I create one if I don’t have one?

• Log in to your profile or search for your profile through the Sail Canada website HERE.
• Username: last name + first 3 letters of first name
• If needed, use the ‘locate my profile’ function or ‘forgot password function’.
• Please note that the email address associated with your profile may be that of a person who registered you for sailing classes in the past, so password instructions may be sent to that person’s email address.
• If you can’t locate your profile, you can create one HERE.

How do I upload credentials to my Sail Canada profile?

• You can update contact information by logging in to your profile.
• There is no ‘upload’ function for individuals to add credentials to their profiles independently. Send upload requests to Ontario Sailing or Sail Canada. Staff will review them and upload them to your profile.

Why does my Sail Canada profile say my instructor status is invalid?

• Profiles that say “invalid” are either missing prerequisites or have expired credentials. Contact Ontario Sailing to update your prerequisites or to inquire about the status of your credentials.

When and how do I register as an instructor and pay annual dues/insurance?

• Trained and certified instructors should register and pay instructor dues and insurance through their Sail Canada profile annually before they begin instructing each year. Registration covers professional association fees and instructor liability insurance. More information on instructor’s insurance is available HERE.

TOPIC 7: Returning Instructors

How do I move from “trained” to “certified” status?

• Trained instructors require an evaluation to become certified. They must undergo an evaluation before their trained status expires.

How do I become recertified?

• Certified instructors are recertified by undergoing an evaluation or through another professional development activity as defined by Sail Canada. Click HERE for more.

What is an evaluation/recertification technical clinic?

• This is a one-day clinic is for individuals who require an evaluation to move from TRAINED status to CERTIFIED status at their current level, or for individuals who require an evaluation to become RE-CERTIFIED. All your prerequisites must be current to participate.

Can I request that a learning facilitator come to my club to evaluate me?

• It is strongly recommended that instructors requiring an evaluation attend a 1-day recertification/evaluation clinic in the spring. Ontario Sailing has limited capacity to offer evaluations for instructors at their home clubs. These types of requests are considered later in the sailing season and are not guaranteed. We do our best to accommodate requests.

TOPIC 8: The Locker

What is The Locker?

The Coaching Association of Canada manages records and e-learning modules related to the National Coaches Certification Program (NCCP) through their platform called “The Locker.” CANSail instructors in training must complete the Making Ethical Decisions evaluation in The Locker after completing the CANSail Fundamental course. Candidates will be assigned an NCCP/Locker profile # after completing the Fundamental course, if they do not already have a profile. An instructor’s NCCP number is also listed on their Sail Canada profile. Safe Sport Training is available for new and returning instructors through the Locker.

To access the Locker, click HERE.