Adult sailors with their Zests on Jericho Beach

Sailing courses

Hands-on sailing and clear coaching to build real skill and comfort on the water. A great fit if you're new to sailing, returning after time away, or want stronger fundamentals.

Early bird from $459

See dates

Your pathway

Small boats or keelboats: start either way

Sailing

CANSail 1

Start here on RS Zests. No experience needed.

CANSail 2

420s. More boat handling and confidence.

Lasers or Catamarans

After CANSail 1, CANSail 2 recommended. Faster boats, small groups of four.

Mac Crew Race

Race weekends that build toward CANSail 3.

Cruising

Start Keelboat Sailing

Optional short intro: a weekend or four evenings, less theory, no exam; $100 toward Basic Cruising.

Basic Cruising

Or start here: no experience needed. Sail Canada certified, on our Beneteau.

Mac Crew Cruise

Keep sailing, on weekend keelboat trips.

Mac Crew: free membership for life after any adult course. Join coached sails, races and cruises.

Find a course by level and date

Course options

Most beginners start with CANSail 1. Not sure? Our team can help you choose.

Cancel 14 or more days ahead: $50 feeMac Crew: free after any adult courseSecure card payment

Level 1No experience needed

CANSail 1: your introduction to sailing

Safety, balance, steering, sail control and confidence, in a supportive, structured setting.

from $459early bird until 31 Januarythen from $475

Dates	When	Price	Places	Book
April 24, 25, May 1 & 2 from 9 am–1 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
May 3–7 from 6–9 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
May 8, 9, 15 & 16 from 9 am–1 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
May 22–24 from 12–5 pm	Sat, Sun, Mon	$479	20 left	Book
May 29, 30, June 5 & 6 from 9 am–1 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
May 31–June 4 from 6–9 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
June 12 & 13 from 9 am–5 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
June 14–18 from 6–9 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
June 14–18 from 1–4 pm	Mon–Fri afternoons	$459	20 left	Book
June 21–25 from 1–4 pm	Mon–Fri afternoons	$459	20 left	Book
June 26, 27, July 3 & 4 from 9 am–1 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
June 28–July 2 from 6–9 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
July 5–9 from 6–9 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
July 10 & 11 from 9 am–5 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
July 12–16 from 6–9 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
July 19–23 from 5:30–8:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
July 24, 25, 31 & August 1 from 9 am–1 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
July 26–30 from 5:30–8:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
August 2–6 from 5:30–8:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
August 7 & 8 from 9 am–5 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
August 9–13 from 5–8 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
August 16–20 from 4:30–7:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
August 21, 22, 28 & 29 from 9 am–1 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book
August 23–27 from 4:30–7:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	20 left	Book
September 4–6 from 12–5 pm	Sat, Sun, Mon	$479	20 left	Book
September 18, 19, 25 & 26 from 9 am–1 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	20 left	Book

Level 2After CANSail 1

CANSail 2: build independence and control

Stronger boat handling and sail trim, sailing with more confidence and awareness.

from $459early bird until 31 Januarythen from $475

Dates	When	Price	Places	Book
May 22–24 from 12–5 pm	Sat, Sun, Mon	$479	14 left	Book
June 12, 13, 19 & 20 from 2–6 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	14 left	Book
June 26, 27, July 3 & 4 from 2–6 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	14 left	Book
July 10, 11, 17 & 18 from 2–6 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	14 left	Book
July 24, 25, 31 & August 1 from 2–6 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	14 left	Book
July 26–30 from 5:30–8:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	14 left	Book
August 7, 8, 14 & 15 from 2–6 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	14 left	Book
August 9–13 from 5–8 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$459	14 left	Book
August 21, 22, 28 & 29 from 2–6 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	14 left	Book
September 11, 12, 18 & 19 from 2–6 pm	Sat & Sun	$479	14 left	Book

Sail Lasers: precision and personal skill

Single-handed sailing that sharpens technique, balance and decision-making.

$465early bird until 31 Januarythen $525

Dates	When	Price	Places	Book
June 21–25 from 4:30–7:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$465	4 left	Book
July 26–30 from 4:30–7:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$465	4 left	Book
August 16–20 from 4:30–7:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$465	4 left	Book

A coach showing two adult sailors a Hobie cat on Jericho Beach

Sail Catamarans: speed, teamwork and fun

Fast, stable boats that reward coordination and communication with a partner.

$465early bird until 31 Januarythen $525

Dates	When	Price	Places	Book
June 7–11 from 4:30–7:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$465	4 left	Book
August 23–27 from 4:30–7:30 pm	Mon–Fri evenings	$465	4 left	Book

Mac Crew sailors with a Hobie on Jericho Beach

Keep sailing with Mac Crew

Most sailors don't want to stop after a course

Mac Crew is social sails, practice sessions and meetups, so you keep sailing with people at your level. Many sailors also go on to our cruising programs.

About Mac Crew

Questions

Good to know

Do I need sailing experience?

No. Many sailors start with our sailing courses without ever having been on a sailboat.

Which course should I start with?

Most beginners start with CANSail 1. If you have some experience, our team can help you choose the right level.

What should I bring?

Clothes for the weather and soft-soled shoes that can get wet. We provide boats, safety equipment and wetsuits when needed.

What's included?

Instruction, boat use, safety equipment and coaching throughout the course.

Can I do private lessons instead?

Yes. Private lessons are available on their own or alongside a course.

What if I need to cancel?

Cancel at least 14 days before your course starts for a refund less a $50 fee, or a credit for the full amount, valid for 2 years. One missed lesson per course can be rescheduled with notice, if there's space, and on-water time we cancel for weather gets a make-up session within 4 weeks, or a credit for the missed part if none fits. The full rules are on the Program Policies page.

Early bird from $459Upcoming dates below