Overview

Learn to Sail without Owning a Boat (or with one!)

Welcome to the wonderful world of sailing!

Sailing can be expensive and daunting for people just to dip their toes in the sport, so jump right in with the Mentored Sailing program at Burlington Sailing & Boating Club! Our Mentored Sailing program allows you to experience the thrill and joy of sailing no matter your experience level. This hands-on sailing program's finest sailors take you under their wing and guide you through the ropes. Once you have completed the program and mastered the syllabus, you can earn your skipper certificate, which will allow you to reserve a sailboat and enjoy sailing on your own on Burlington Bay.

Whether you are new to sailing or have been sailing for years, the Mentored Sailing Program lets you develop and hone your sailing skills at your own pace. Even after you finish the program, our Club Sailing Mentors will provide you with ongoing coaching and mentorship throughout your sailing journey.

Do you already own a keelboat? Do you need some tips? Try our Senior Mentored Sailing option.

How to apply to the Mentored Sailing Program

Application for the Mentored Sailing Program 2025 will open on February 1st, 2025

How does the program work?

We accept all experience levels; the syllabus is cumulative and experience-based but allows you to learn at your own pace. We start with the basics and ensure you learn everything you need to know to take a boat out on your own.

The program starts mid-April, and the sailing portion runs once a week from May 29th to September 11th for 16 weeks. You will be matched with your mentor based on availability for maximum participation; several sessions are scheduled each week, but members typically choose a single time slot to develop a better coaching relationship with their Sailing Mentors.

Members enter the program as Crew and progress to Skipper when they show proficiency with the defined skills and seamanship. The BSBC Lead Mentor will evaluate the crew, and once they have proved their sailing competency, they can take boats out without a Sailing Mentor.

When you join the program, you become an Intermediate Member of BSBC, which means you can participate in all club events. After two years in the program, Mentored Sailing Program members are expected to join BSBC as Senior Members to continue in the program.

Volunteer Hours

Members are required to volunteer within the club for 10 hours. At least 5 hours are dedicated to Mentored Sailing Program boat care and maintenance. The other 5 hours can be achieved either within the program or the club. We always need help with Able Sail, Socials, Sail Past, Regattas, Officer of the Day, and more. Talk with the Program Coordinator about how you can help.

Mentored Sailing Program Keelboats

We use two keelboats which are owned by the Burlington Sailing & Boating Club. Members can select either the Tanzer 22 or the Tanzer 26 to learn to sail on. Once you have completed the sailing course and have passed the Skipper certification you will be able to book these boats to sail with your family and friends in Burlington Bay!

Tanzer 22 - Discovery

The Tanzer 22 is new to the Mentored Sailing Program but not new to our club as she has brought many awards to BS&BC. She is simple and fun to sail. She is also capable enough as a cruiser and challenging enough as a racer to make her one of the most popular boats of her type ever built. The T-22's cockpit is large. It is well over 7 long and (in the absence of side decks) utilizes the whole of the boat's beam. It provides room to seat six and lets four sail comfortably. The well is deep, the seat backs are high, the seats slope outboard; it is secure and comfortable. A great sailboat for anyone.

Tanzer 26 - Shamrock

Shamrock, our Tanzer 26, is a popular pocket cruising keelboat built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a transom-hung rudder and a fixed fin keel. This sailboat was designed by Johann Tanzer and built in Quebec, they are known for their comfort and good performance with enough weight to make them feel reassuringly stable to the moderately experienced sailor. Shamrock was donated to the club by one of our own members in support of giving our Burlington community the opportunity to sail without owning a boat.

More Information

Contacts

Program Manager - Peter Davidson Email: mentoredsailing@burlbay.com
Rear Commodore Boating Email: rearboating@burlbay.com
Booking Coordinator Email: mentoredsailingcalendar@burlbay.com
Boat Maintenance Coordinator Email: bsbcboats@burlbay.com

Last updated 1:21am on 20 September 2024