Photo: Kathryn Semogas

Photos: Thunder Bay Yacht Club and Royal Hamilton Yacht Club

KEEL, POWER & NAVIGATION INSTRUCTOR TRAINING

Ontario Sailing and Sail Canada are always looking for experienced sailors and powerboaters to join the ranks of certified cruising instructors. If you want to share your passion for sailing or powerboating and refine your boat skills and knowledge, consider becoming a certified instructor.

Ontario Sailing offers several clinics each year to train and certify Sail Canada Keel and Power Instructors. Clinics are generally offered between May and September.

KEEL, POWER & NAVIGATION INSTRUCTOR TRAINING

Ontario Sailing and Sail Canada are always looking for experienced sailors and powerboaters to join the ranks of certified cruising instructors. If you want to share your passion for sailing or powerboating and refine your boat skills and knowledge, consider becoming a certified instructor.

Ontario Sailing offers several clinics each year to train and certify Sail Canada Keel and Power Instructors. Clinics are generally offered between May and September.

Photos: Thunder Bay Yacht Club and Royal Hamilton Yacht Club

PATHWAYS TO CERTIFICATION

How to Become a Keelboat Cruising Instructor:

There are two ways to become certified as a Sail Canada Keelboat Cruising Instructor:

1. Participate in a Start Keelboat Sailing (SKS) Instructor Clinic.  

2. Participate in a Basic Cruising Instructor Clinic.

Please note that each clinic requires prerequisites, see below for an overview of the prerequisites. During a clinic, participants are evaluated on professionalism, teaching abilities, lesson content and sailing knowledge. We encourage theory preparation beforehand.

Prerequisites for becoming an instructor are listed HERE.

If you are an experienced instructor qualified according to the standards of another national or international sailing program (e.g. RYA, ASA, US Sailing, etc.) you should consult with Sail Canada for guidance on how to obtain credentials for instructing in a Canadian context.

How to Become a Power Instructor:

There are two ways to become certified as a Sail Canada Power Instructor:

1. Participate in a Basic Power Instructor Clinic.

2. Participate in a Power Crossover Clinic if you are already a Certified Basic Cruising Instructor.


These clinics are organized periodically based on demand. If you are interested in becoming a certified Power Instructor, please email megan@ontariosailing.ca to inquire about clinics.

How to Become a Navigation Instructor:

The pathway to becoming a navigation instructor is by application to Sail Canada. Candidates must provide a resume supporting their experience and must demonstrate their knowledge by completing exams and preparing training materials for the instructor level sought. These materials (resume, exams, and training materials) are submitted to Sail Canada for review and approval.

Recertification:

If you are a current Instructor who needs to recertify, click HERE to learn about changes to Sail Canada’s Recertification Policy.

Sail Canada Program Information:

To learn more about Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Instructor Certification click here.

To learn more about Sail Canada Power Instructor Certification click here.

To learn more about Sail Canada Navigation Instructor Certifications click here.