TS&CC Youth Program - For the Love of Sailing!

2025 Registration opens 12:00pm January 6th!

At Toronto Sailing & Canoe Club we offer Toronto's Best Learn-to-Sail programs for youth ages 6 to 17. The program runs Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm from July 5 to August 27 in one, two or four week segments.

Our sailing instructors are experienced and accomplished sailors, trained and certified by Sail Canada - and more importantly, they love sailing and love teaching. Every instructor is trained and certified by national authorities in boat safety and First Aid, and they provide a safe and fun-filled learning experience for all students.

Why you should take a course at TSCC

• You do not have to be a member to take our sailing courses.
• We offer an optional Hot Lunch program featuring healthy catered lunches from our kitchen.
• The prices below are final, there are no added membership fees.
• We offer Wetfeet and CANSail 1 programs in one week segments, unlike many other programs, so your child can try sailing before committing to a full two week session.
• We offer a full array of programs, from Adult Keelboat and Dinghy lessons, to Wetfeet programs for children 6-8, to race programs for advanced sailors, so that your whole family can learn how to sail at TSCC.

Our Programs

Summer Programs

Wet Feet and CANSail 1 (One-Week Sessions)

*CANSail 1 (one-week sessions) currently unavailable*

Wet Feet

The Wet Feet program is designed for children 6 to 8 years old, no sailing experience is required to enroll. We introduce your children to sailing in a fun and safe environment in our sheltered, protected harbour in boats called Optis. The program begins with two children per boat and works towards them sailing a boat themselves. The course includes an introduction to sailing and boat handling skills. Our trained and certified instructors are chosen for their exceptional skills working with children. The program builds friendships, confidence, and self-esteem and focuses on getting the children comfortable in boats. The Wet Feet program is available in one week blocks.

CANSail 1 

The CANSail 1 course is offered in two-week sessions and is designed for youth from 9 to 17 years old.  No sailing experience is required to enroll in this program. Students are divided into appropriate age and skill level groups within the program. The curriculum is based on Sail Canada standards and students have the opportunity to earn nationally recognized certificates for each level by demonstrating skills learned in the program.  

Wet Feet Program Schedule (One Week Sessions)

For more information email programs@tscc.net.

You can also check our Youth Sailing School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

CANSail 1-4 (Two-Week Sessions)

Click the link below and select "Youth Two Week Programs" from the list.

 

For more information email programs@tscc.net.

You can also check our Youth Sailing School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Race Team (One Month Sessions)

420 Race Team (CANSail 5/6)

The CanSail 5 and 6 course is offered in one-month sessions and is designed for youth from 9 to 17 years old. Although the CANSail 5/6 students will sail as one group, the levels are independent. Successful completion of the CANSail 4 level is required to enrol in CANSail 5, and successful completion of CANSail 5 is required for enrolment of CANSail 6. Both courses require at least one one-month session to complete, but generally take two one-month sessions. The students will sail club 420 dinghy sailboats, with a large focus on boat speed and racing strategy. They will also travel to local regattas to demonstrate their skills in a competitive setting. The curriculum is based on Sail Canada standards and students have the opportunity to earn nationally recognized certificates for each level by demonstrating skills learned in the program. Opportunities to train in the spring and fall are also available. 

Parents may be asked to help provide transportation for athletes and boats to and from these local regattas. Regatta expenses are not included in the program fee: this includes regatta fees, travel expenses, food and any other personal expenses.

Opti Race Team (CANSail 2-5)

The Opti Race Program is offered in two-week and one-month session (one-month sessions are preferred) and is designed for youth from 9 to 15 years old. The students will sail single-handed club Optimist dinghy sailboats, with a large focus on boat speed and racing strategy. Optimist sailboats are optimal for students weighing 110 pounds or lighter, and is a great way to start learning racing skills if the student is too light for 420 or laser dinghies. The group is small, with a maximum of 5 students, resulting in a more focused and higher level of coaching. They will also travel to local regattas to demonstrate their skills in a competitive setting. The curriculum is based on Sail Canada standards and students have the opportunity to earn nationally recognized certificates for each level by demonstrating skills learned in the program.

Parents may be asked to help provide transportation for athletes and boats to and from these local regattas. Regatta expenses are not included in the program fee: this includes regatta fees, travel expenses, food and any other personal expenses.

Laser Race Team (CANSail 5/6)

The CanSail 5 and 6 course is offered in one-month sessions and is designed for youth from 9 to 17 years old. Although the CANSail 5/6 students will sail as one group, the levels are independent. Successful completion of the CANSail 4 level is required to enrol in CANSail 5, and successful completion of CANSail 5 is required for enrolment of CANSail 6. Both courses require at least one one-month session to complete, but generally take two one-month sessions. The students are required to bring their own laser dinghy, or contact the sailing school to arrange a boat rental to enrol. This program has a large focus on boat speed and racing strategy. They will travel to local regattas to demonstrate their skills in a competitive setting. The curriculum is based on Sail Canada standards and students have the opportunity to earn nationally recognized certificates for each level by demonstrating skills learned in the program. Opportunities to train in the spring and fall are also available. 

Parents may be asked to help provide transportation for athletes and boats to and from these local regattas. Regatta expenses are not included in the program fee: this includes regatta fees, travel expenses, food and any other personal expenses.

• One Month Cost: $1395.00 (must provide own boat)
• Full Summer (July & August) + Spring & Fall Training: $3640.00
• One Month Optional Lunch Program Cost: $300 (or $285 in holiday shortened sessions)

Regatta Coaching Fees

Two day Local: $160

Travel: $310

CORK International: $360

CORK + Four Sisters: $490

ILCA, Four Sisters,

CORK, Fall CORK: $1,050

420 Race, Laser Race, and Opti Race Teams - One Month Sessions

Click the link below and select "CANSail 5/6 and Race Programs" from the list. 

 

For more information email programs@tscc.net.

You can also check our Youth Sailing School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Spring/Fall Training

Spring Training (Laser and 420 - CANSail 3-6)

420, Opti, and Laser Spring Training Programs are run each year, allowing sailors to extend their sailing seasons dependent on the weather. Priority for this program is given to students in CANSail 5/6 programs, and is open to students CANSail 3 and above. CANSail levels are not achieved during this training, but the extra coaching and time on the water will contribute to sailors achieving their levels faster during summer sailing school. This program runs two sessions a week (one weekday evening and one weekend afternoon), from Mid-April to Mid-June. 

Costs:

• Laser/420 - $475 (must provide own laser)
• Included in full season Race program

Fall Training (Laser and 420 - CANSail 3-6)

420, Opti, and Laser Fall Training Programs are run each year, allowing sailors to extend their sailing seasons dependent on the weather. Priority for this program is given to students in CANSail 5/6 programs, and is open to students CANSail 3 and above. CANSail levels are not achieved during this training, but the extra coaching and time on the water will contribute to sailors achieving their levels faster during summer sailing school. This program runs two sessions a week from the start of September until the end of October.

Costs:

• Laser/420 - $475 (must provide own laser)
• Included in full season Race program

420 Race, Laser Race, and Opti Race Spring/Fall Training

• Spring Session - Will run one weekday evening and Saturday/Sunday afternoons (exact dates and times TBD)
• Fall Session - Will run one weekday evening and Saturday/Sunday afternoons (exact dates and times TBD)

Click the link below and select "CANSail 5/6 and Race Programs" from the list.

 

For more information email programs@tscc.net.

You can also check our Youth Sailing School Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What time does the camp operate and is there a early/late program?

The programs operate between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. We also offer an Early drop off starting at 7:30am and Late pickup program until 6:00pm daily. 

Cost for early and late program: $37.50 per week HST included ($30.00 in holiday shortened weeks).

Select the "Availability and Registration button below to register.

 

2. What is the Lunch Program menu and cost?

Our optional lunch program is offered from June 29 to August 21 and gives students a healthy hot lunch that includes several main choices, vegetables and salads every day. Our menu changes daily providing an excellent variety of healthy choices, including vegetarian options.

Cost: $75.00+HST per week ($60.00+HST in holiday shortened weeks).

Select the "Availability and Registration button below to register.

 

3. What do students need to bring?

Everyone must bring a CSA-approved Lifejacket or PFD that fits properly and is correct for their weight. They can be purchased at any Marine Supply store, Canadian Tire, Walmart and other shops. We recommend purchasing a yellow or orange colour.

A water bottle and a peanut-free lunch if you have not registered for the Lunch Program.

Waterproof sunscreen, hat and at least one change of clothes as well as swimming attire, a wind jacket and towel. Shoes should be non slip and not damaged by water. Running shoes, Teva type sandals or water shoes are often worn, Crocs are not recommended. Barefoot is not allowed.

4. What if the weather is too bad to sail?

Part of the program includes on-shore training activities such as learning knots and other classroom instruction, class will not be cancelled.

5. My child can’t swim – is that a problem?

While it is not essential that your child be a good swimmer, we find that children who are scared of the water do not enjoy sailing. Your child should feel comfortable around the water but regardless of swimming ability, they will be wearing a lifejacket or PFD when in the boats or on the docks. Capsizing is a part of the program, which involves flipping the boat upside-down and your child will have to float in the water with a lifejacket on. 

6. What safety measures do you have?

Our instructors are all qualified in boat safety and first aid. A life jacket or PFD must be worn at all times when sailing on the water and on the club docks. We ensure that there are always an adequate number of instructors by limiting enrolment. Whenever students are on the water, there are instructors in support boats in attendance to provide assistance.

We follow the Ontario Sailing Concussion Code of Conduct and Ministry approved concussion resources, which can be found at the following links: 

Concussion Awareness Resources Ages 10 and under - CLICK HERE.

Concussion Awareness Resources Ages 11 to 14 - CLICK HERE.

Concussion Awareness Resources Ages 15 and up - CLICK HERE.

Ontario Sailing Concussion Code of Conduct - Athletes

7. What if the course schedule does not work for me but I still want to learn how to sail?

We offer private lessons for adults and youth. These lessons can be one or two students to one instructor. Click “Private Lessons” to learn more.