Youth and Adult Training
Learn to sail, while having fun in a safe environment on the water!
About our Sail Training Program
At the Cultus Lake Sailing Club, we are dedicated to fostering a lifelong passion for sailing in individuals of all ages and abilities. Cultus Lake is great place to learn to sail, where we often have light winds in the morning to help sailors get comfortable on the water in a safe environment and then the wind picks up in the afternoon, so that sailors can now apply sailing skills. Our mission is to provide a safe environment where sailors can build confidence, learn essential skills, and enjoy being on the water.
Our Coaching Philosophy & Team
Our instructors and coaches are passionate about teaching, committed to safety, and bring a wealth of sailing knowledge and enthusiasm to every lesson. Our coaching philosophy emphasizes:
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Safety First: Ensuring a secure environment for all participants.
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Hands-On Learning: Maximizing on-water time for practical skill development.
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Positive Reinforcement: Building confidence and encouraging a love for the sport.
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Individualized Attention: Adapting instruction to meet the needs and learning styles of each student.
All instructors are certified through Sail Canada, ensuring the highest standards of instruction and safety.
Our Fleet
We maintain a diverse fleet of well-equipped and safe dinghies, perfect for learning and progression:
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Optimist Dinghies: Ideal for beginner youth sailors, providing a stable and forgiving platform for beginners. The Optimist dinghy is also the perfect boat for consolidating and progressing sailing skills, as well as learning about sailboat racing. The Optimist dinghy is the largest one design fleet sailed and raced in the world.
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Double-handed boats: We have a variety of double-handed boats with 2 sails which are perfect for adults learning to sail and for youth to develop teamwork and more advanced skills. These boats range from 12 feet. to 15 feet. and include the Kolibri, the 420, The Enterprise and the Albacore.
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ILCA (formerly Laser): Popular single-handed dinghies with one sail, although can also be sailed with 2 people. These boats are good for focusing on individual boat handling and speed.
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Hobie Wave: - The Hobie Wave is a 13 ft. catamaran with one sail which is easy and fun to sail. It is very stable making it comfortable for our youngest sailors.
General Inofrmation
The sailing courses and summer camps are a combination of dry land instruction and water-based training.
All courses include principles of sailing but also includes basic water safety. Everything from proper flotation devices to righting of capsized boats is included.
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All courses are held at the Cultus Lake Sailing Club (South end of Sunnyside Blvd).
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All courses align with Sail Canada's CANSail guidelines.
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Adult courses do not require club membership, however a discounted membership is available when joining within a month of taking a learn to sail course.
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There is also a member discount for both adult and youth courses.
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If your requested course or week is full, contact Cultus Lake Sailing Club to be put on the waitlist.
What to bring to all courses and camps:
Lunch, snacks, water, backpack or bag, hat, sunscreen, bathing suit, change of clothes, towel, closed toe shoes, jacket.
Register now for Summer 2026!
For any other inquiries about training email info@cultuslakesailing.com
Children and Youth Summer Camps
The Cultus Lake Sailing Club offers a variety of programs designed to cater to every stage of a sailor's journey. Each course runs 9:00 - 4:00, except the "Wet Feet" which is 9:00 - 3:00. Children/youth have the opportunity to gain confidence on the water while learning the basics of sailing or honing their technical and practical sailing skills.
The courses include principles of sailing, with an emphasis on boat and water safety. Everything from proper flotation devices to righting of capsized boats is included. Sailors learn skills through games, activities, and fun times on the water.
Although children will primarily be sailing the Optimist, they may also have the opportunity to sail our other double-handed boats and the Hobie Wave (a catamaran). Boats sailed will depend on the size and ability of the child as well as the wind conditions.
The Optimist, a very stable small boat with a single sail, is the perfect small boat for children ages 6 - 15 to learn to sail, increase their confidence, physical literacy and develop strong racing skill that will carry them onto other fleets as they age out of the Optimist. Initially they sail with one or 2 other children, and then soon be able to sail on their own.
We incorporate Sail Canada's "CANSail" standards into our own unique training programs. CANSail is an internationally recognized certification program which provides certification based for basic sailing levels through to competitive racing. Fun and safety are the key focus as sailors build a strong foundation of both technical and practical sailing skills. Sailors will learn to sail, building their independence, confidence as well as teamwork skills as they work towards Sail Canada's certification.
Summer 2026 Schedule:
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July 6 – 10 Beginner Sailing 1 (CANSail 1), Ages 8 – 14
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July 13 – 17 Intermediate Sailing (CANSail 2 - 4), Ages 10 – 15
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July 20 – 24 Beginner Sailing 1 (CANSail 1), Ages 8 – 12
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July 27 – 30 Beginner Sailing 1 (CANSail 1), Ages 9 – 14
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July 27 - 30 Sail for Fun, Ages 10 - 15
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August 3 - 7 Sailing 2 (CANSail 1 – 2), Ages 9 – 14
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Aug 10 – 14 Wet Feet, Ages 6 – 8 SOLD OUT
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Aug 10 – 14 Beginner Sailing 1 (CANSail 1), Ages 8 - 14 SOLD OUT
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Aug 17 - 21 Wet Feet, Ages 6 – 8 SOLD OUT
Wet Feet (9:00 – 3:00) SOLD OUT
This camp will give young kids ages 6 – 8 a fun and safe introduction to small boats and basic sailing concepts. Through games, adventure-based learning and hands-on experiences, children will develop comfort in and around boats, while gaining foundational sailing skills.
Each day mixes time on the water with creative, age-appropriate activities on shore. Participants can expect a blend of short sailing sessions, hands-on steering and balance practice, Opti-tow adventures behind our safety (coach) boats, water games, kayaking, and arts and crafts that introduce boat parts and water-safety basics.
It is a playful and supportive way for kids to discover the lake, build confidence, and enjoy being on the water.
Ratio: 4 participants to 1 instructor.
Beginner Sailing 1 (9:00 - 4:00)
This camp is for kids who have never sailed before and also for sailors who have taken a summer camp before and want to learn more and gain more confidence. Kids will sail the Optimist (Opti) sailboat, and may have the opportunity to sail some of the other boats. Sailors will have fun learning to control their boat in a variety of winds and have opportunities to sail with a friend or alone in a fun and exciting environment. During this week sailors will have the opportunity to work towards their CANSail 1 in the CANSail progression.
Beginner Sailing 2: Ages 9 - 15
This four-day camp, August 3 - 7, is sailors who have taken a Beginner Sailing camp and focuses on improving sailing skills emphasizing boat control and sailing with confidence, with the opportunity to sail in different wind strengths in a variety of boats. An introduction to skills required for sailing around a racecourse may also be introduced. During this camp sailors will consolidate CANSail 1 skills and work towards CANSail 2 skills.
Prerequisite: Opti Beginner Sailing 1 or recommendation of instructors
Intermediate Sailing: Ages 9 - 15 July 13 - 17
This one-week camp focuses on improving sailing skills emphasizing boat control and sailing with confidence, with the opportunity to sail in different wind strengths. Sailors will sail a variety of boats and work on boat handling and racing skills. During this week sailors will work on skills throughout the CANSail curriculum, from CANSail 2 - CANSail 4. Minimum 10 years old at the time of the course.
Sail for Fun Week: Ages 10 - 16 July 27 - 30
This one-week camp is for youth who have taken a previous sailing camp and would like experience sailing a variety of boats, including the double-handed dinghies, Hobie catamarans and the 22 foot Hunter keel boat.
Two-Week Camps
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It is recommended that youth register for 2 weeks.
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A second week allows time to move beyond just learning the maneuvers to demonstrating them consistently. There is also the advantage of more weather flexibility. Given that progressing in sailing skills is weather dependent registering for a second week helps to ensure that there is still lots of water sailing time with a greater variety of wind and water conditions.
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For those looking to move beyond just "trying" sailing to actually becoming a confident, independent, or competitive sailor, registering for 2 weeks is considered standard.
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We are offering a 2-week sailing camp during the two weeks July 27 – August 7. The Beginner Sailing 2 camp, August 3 - 7, can also be taken following any of the other Beginner Sailing camps. Please note that there is no camp on the holiday Monday.
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If these dates do not work for you, a second 1-week camp is another option. A second week is offered at the reduced Member rate.
Summer Camps Course Fees:
One-week sailing camps: Non-members: $355.00, Members: $342.00
Two-week sailing camp or registering for two weeks: $625.00
Homeschool Intro to Sailing
This Intro to Sailing program is offered on 4 Tuesday afternoons in June. Kids will sail the Optimist (Opti) sailboat, and may have the opportunity to sail some of the other boats. Sailors will have fun learning to sail their boat first with a friend and then on their own in a fun and exciting environment. Fee: $147.00
Adult Learn to Sail
A introductory course is available for adults who wish to learn how to sail. This introductory weekend covers water safety, terminology, knots and basic sailing skills. At the end of the weekend you will be comfortable crewing a dinghy sail boat and depending on the wind conditions sailing on your own under the guidance of an instructor. Small classes means lots of 1 on 1 time. Join the Club after your course and get more time on the water.
Courses Schedule and Dates:
Schedule: Friday evening 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
2026 Course Dates:
1) June 12 - 14
2) July 10 - 12
Course Fee: $385.00
Registration now open.
Members, please contact info@cultuslakesailing.com for the member code.
Come sail with us, and
create lifelong friends in the process!