Summer Sailing Camps & Youth Sailing Lessons in Vancouver, BC

Course Dates

• Week 1: June 29 — July 3, 2026 (incl. July 1)

• Week 2: July 6 — July 10, 2026

• Week 3: July 13 — July 17, 2026

• Week 4: July 20 — July 24, 2026

• Week 5: July 27 — July 31, 2026

• Week 6: August 3 — August 7, 2026

• Week 7: August 10 — August 14, 2026

• Week 8: August 17 — August 21, 2026

• Week 9: August 24 — August 28, 2026

• Week 10: August 31 — September 4, 2026

Registration for 2026 will open in January! Check back here for more details soon

- Closed-toe, tight fitting shoes that can get wet and will stay on—no flip flops, slides, or crocs, please. (mandatory; required for safety) 

- Weather-appropriate clothing (e.g., activewear, fleece, rain jacket/pants) 

- Swimsuit and towel 

- Change of dry clothes - Hat and sunglasses (if sunny) 

- Sunscreen (please apply before arrival) 

- Refillable water bottle 

- Nut-free lunch and snacks — As part of our sustainability efforts and to help protect the marine environment, we encourage families to send your camper with a litterless, low-waste lunch.

Please label all belongings coming with your child to our camps clearly with their name. Campers should come prepared for the weather and ready to get wet!

Safety is the foundation of everything we do at KYC. Our instructors: 

- Lead on-water activities from motorized safety boats—meaning they are always nearby. 

- Regularly review safety procedures with campers. 

- Adapt activities to suit weather and skill levels — some days this can mean less on-water time, and morew time spent on shore learning about the marine environment, playing games, and other sailing skills and knowledge. Our priority is always the safety of our participants and staff. 

- All campers are required to wear Transport Canada–approved lifejackets when on or near the water. KYC provides lifejackets (PFDs), or campers may bring their own if it is suitable. Closed-toe shoes must be worn at all times during camp hours.

Our Camps run rain or shine, unless inclement weather conditions make facility access unsafe. If a camp day must be cancelled, we will reach out to all participants’ families as soon as possible.

The Kitsilano Yacht Club is located right on the Kitsilano waterfront and is accessible via a short walking path at 2401 Point Grey Road, just steps away from the Kitsilano Pool.

Drop-Off & Pick-Up: Drop-off and Pick-up will be at the front gate of the club. Please check in and out each day with a designated instructor or staff member. We are not able to begin supervision of participants more than 15 minutes prior to the camp start time. 

If your child will be leaving camp on their own at the end of the day, please notify us in writing.

Please Note: There is no on-site parking or vehicle access for students/families at the club. Street parking is available nearby, but please do not drive down directly to the club. Help us be good neighbours by respecting all posted parking signs and being mindful of local residents.

If your child will be late, absent, or needs to be picked up early, please let us know as soon as possible

• 14+ Days Cancellation:

100% refund of the registration cost, less an $75 administrative fee and any applicable transaction platform processing fees, if a cancellation is received at least 14 days prior to the start of the class.

• 8–14 Days Cancellation:

For cancellations received between 8 and 14 days before the class starts, you will receive a refund equal to 50% of the registration cost, less any transaction platform processing fees. However, if 50% of the registration cost would result in KYC retaining less than $75 as an administrative fee, the refund will be adjusted so that KYC retains a minimum of $75.

• Late Cancellations:

No refund will be given for cancellations received 7 days or less prior to the start of the class, or once classes have begun, unless extenuating circumstances warrant an exception. Each case will be evaluated individually.

• Elective Absences:

No pro-rated refunds or partial pricing options are available for any elective absences.

• Exceptions for Illness or Injury:

Exceptions for illness or injury may be granted at the discretion of the Program Director, with supporting documentation. If granted, the refund amount will be determined by the Program Director, taking into account the timing of the cancellation and other relevant factors.

• Course Cancellation by KYC:

In the event that a course is cancelled by KYC due to insufficient enrolment or other unforeseen or operational circumstances, KYC will notify you as early as possible and offer either a full refund, course credit, or the option to transfer to another KYC course. No administrative fee will be charged when a course is cancelled by KYC.

• Discount Eligibility:

Eligible discounts must be applied at the time of purchase. No reimbursements or partial refunds will be provided for discounts that were not utilized.

• Policy Updates:

This policy is subject to change. Any revisions will apply only to purchases made after the effective revision date. Please refer to your purchase receipt for the refund policy applicable to your transaction.

Sailors Can Expect

- A balance of games, group activities, and skill-building challenges



- Instruction focused on safety, teamwork, and fun

- A welcoming, inclusive camp community

- Lots of sun and fresh air!

Younger First-Time Sailors (Ages 6–8)

• Wetfeet – Best choice for little ones who are brand new to the water. It’s games, beach time, and a gentle intro to sailing—lots of fun, zero pressure.

Beginner & Adventurous Kids (Ages 8–12)

• Sail & Paddle – Perfect for kids who want a bit of everything: sailing, SUP, and kayaking. The sailing portion is taught in our stable Hobie Wave catamarans, which are great for building confidence and enjoying the ride.
• Opti 1 – A beginner-friendly program in single-handed Optimist dinghies, with no prerequisite. Ideal for kids who are excited to “drive their own boat” and start learning the basics of steering, trimming, and boat control.

Pre-Teens & Teens New or New-ish to Sailing (Ages 11–16)

• CANSail Basic (CANSail 1 & 2) – Ideal for youth who are ready to focus more on sailing skills in double-handed boats. One CANSail level per session is a reasonable expectation, and progress carries over between sessions.

Sailors Ready to Build Skills or Go Further

• Opti 2 & Opti 3 (Ages 8–12) – For sailors who already have some time in an Opti (such as Opti 1 or an equivalent beginner program) and are ready to grow their independence, refine technique, and sail in more wind and varied conditions.
• CANSail Advanced (CANSail 3 & 4, Ages 12–16) – For sailors with CANSail 2 who want to sharpen their boat handling, learn more about sail trim, and start exploring performance sailing.

Sailors Curious About Racing

• Intro to Racing — Opti – For youth who are comfortable sailing an Opti and want to try racing in a fun, supportive environment.
• Intro to Racing — RS Feva – For teens who are confident in double-handed boats (typically CANSail 2 or equivalent) and want a first taste of tactics, starts, and mark roundings.
• Intro to Racing — 420 – For teens who are confident in double-handed boats (typically CANSail 2 or equivalent) and want a first taste of tactics, starts, and mark roundings.

If you’re still not sure, send us a quick note with your child’s age and any previous sailing experience, and we’ll happily recommend the best fit. Our goal is always the same: the right boat, the right group, and a love of sailing that grows with them.

At KYC, sailors learn in small groups on English Bay, led by Sail Canada–certified instructors in a non-profit, community-focused environment. Our programs follow the national CANSail standard, so your child’s progress in our programs is recognized across Canada.

Safety comes first. Our courses run rain or shine, unless inclement weather conditions make facility access unsafe. Our instructors monitor conditions closely and follow Sail Canada and KYC safety guidelines.

If it’s too windy, too little wind, or conditions are otherwise unsafe, we may adjust the lesson plan to:

• Spend more time on shore-based learning (right-of-way rules on the water, on-land demos and practice, knots, technical sailing knowledge, weather)
• Shorten on-water sessions if necessary

If a course session must be cancelled or rescheduled, we will reach out to all participants' families as soon as possible.

During the summer season, we closely monitor water quality testing results from Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). Vancouver Coastal Health lists sailing as a secondary-contact activity, meaning the overall risk is low. Our first priority is the safety and wellbeing of our participants and instructors. We have a duty of care to our sailors and clear responsibilities under the Occupational Health & Safety Act to protect our team.

When No Swimming Advisories are issues for our area, we have contingency launch and landing procedures and PPE that keep time in the water for participants to near zero. If getting onto the water is still not feasible, we have a number of on-shore alternate activities to keep sailors engaged, learning, and having fun during their time at our camps.

According to VCH, "The risk of getting sick is higher if you engage in primary contact recreational activities, such as swimming, paddle boarding and surfing, as your whole body is immersed. You will have a higher chance to swallow water or get water in the nose, eyes, ears, or an open wound. Examples of possible illness include stomach upset, ear infection, sore throat, or wound infection. If you engage in secondary contact recreational activities, such as canoeing, kayaking, sailing and fishing, or where only regular wetting of limbs is involved and swallowing of water is not usual, the risk of getting sick will be lower."

More information on VCH's Beach Water Quality Program can be found here.

No membership is required! Our learn to sail summer camps are open to the public.