Youth Sailing Camp
Youth Sailing Camp
Give your kids a memorable summer day camp experience at QCYC. Open to youth aged 6 to 17 years old, this program is an affordable way to get your kids out on the water and introduce them to the water and sailing, while developing their sportsmanship, teamwork and social skills. And for those kids who’ve taken sailing lessons in the past, it’s the perfect place to continue their sailing instruction - many of our students return year after year.
Queen City’s Learn to Sail camp is situated on the Toronto Islands, providing an idyllic setting for summer fun. Kids spend their days outdoors, sailing, swimming and playing, surrounded by one of the world's most beautiful urban parks.
QCYC's private ferry leaves from the foot of York Street, which is easy to access via transit or car. It will bring your child directly to and from camp on the Toronto Islands, allowing them to “get out" of the city without actually ever leaving. Our campers come from all over the city as our private ferry pick-up is a quick walk from Union station and there is a streetcar stop about 100 steps away.
Where do you access our private ferry? Click HERE
Safety is very important at QCYC, and we boast high instructor to student ratios in order to provide the best sailing experience. Our experienced instructors are certified by Sail Canada in sailing as well as boat rescue and first aid.
In our efforts to constantly improve our facilities, we recently installed floating docks for our Learn to Sail boats. These ensure that boats are easier to launch and haul out of the water, and their placement in very shallow water makes them ideal for kids of all ages.
We have a number of events and benefits that we share with our learn to sail campers. A few of them are listed below:
For more pictures, visit the Learn to Sail Facebook or Instagram Page.
We offer spring training sessions and a full summer program for campers who are 6 to 17 years old.
These workshop-style training sessions are a great way to prepare for your summer session, and are open to all students for instruction and practice. A variety of skills will be covered, including any student-specific interests or needs. Students can work on CANSail checklist requirements, or just enjoy an afternoon on the water. Catch the 10:15 tender over to the island and the 3pm tender back to the city. Sailors must be enrolled in Spring training to be eligible to attend an early regatta in July (if available)
These will be run on Saturday and/or Sunday in June
One-week sessions available
Introduction to sailing program for our youngest sailors 6-8 years old. The focus of this program is fun with introduction to sailing, getting on the water and lots of games!
One-week sessions available
QCYC is the perfect spot to launch a kayak, canoe or SUP and head down the lagoon to calmer waters. The focus of this program is introducing kids to a variety of water sports such as kayaking, stand up paddleboards (SUPs) and of course sailing. It's a great way to spend a week in the city and perfect for campers 8+
2-week
iCANSail/CANSail 1 - Learn to Sail, Part 1
First-time sailors should sign up for this beginner level, which teaches fundamental sailing skills. Taught in small, double-handed boats, it’s a fun and safe introduction to basic sailing, with adventures to the Toronto Island beaches, team-building games and lots of on-water activities.
Most young sailors start by completing their iCANSail checklist, learning to become comfortable on and in the water, using the basic sail controls, and working as part of a team. In some cases (based on age, athleticism and experience), campers will begin working on their CANSail 1 checklist right away.
CANSail 2 - Learn to Sail, Part 2
This level introduces more complex versions of the introductory skills learned in CANSail 1. Sailors are expected to take the helm more often (steer the boat), and fine-tune their boat handling skills to ready themselves for intermediate sailing. However, this is still a very fun-centred level, involving plenty of on-water adventures and games.
For those campers who have completed CanSail 1 and CanSail 2 we offer spring training and 2 or 4 week sessions in the summer.
2-week, or 4 week option
CANSail 3 - Learn to Sail Fast
In this level, sailors acquire applied skills in larger, double-handed boats (420s). More time is spent training on the water, and sailors are given the opportunity to try racing in local competitions.
CANSail 4 - Learn to Sail Fast, Part 2
Sailors train to tune and handle their boat with ease as they further their understanding of what does and doesn't make their boat move faster. A fundamental understanding of basic tactics and physics is taught, and sailors are encouraged to participate in some local regattas.
4 week or 8 week + summer program
Newer to QCYC, we will be starting an OPTI Race team with the goal to develop strong single handed competitors while working on their Cansail 3 and 4 checklists. Participants are expected to BYOB (Bring your own Boat) but we will have some boats that participants can charter (for a fee). The goal is to prepare for, and participate in, a full season of training and competition, including attendance at regional regattas.
4 week options
CANSail 4, 5 or 6 - Learn to Train
In this level, sailors fine-tune and solidify all previously learned sailing skills as they compete in regular competition. The goal is to prepare for, and participate in, a full season of training and competition, including attendance at regional regattas.
Focusing on advanced racing skills and the Cansail 5&6 curriculum.
Includes 8 weeks of summer sailing and 2 months of spring training. O
Please note that the regatta schedule is tentative. Regatta registration, accommodation and other travel-related costs are not included in course fees. Parents should be prepared to help carpool, tow boats and chaperone participants at regattas. Please inquire for further details.
