Two campers sailing a yellow Escape dinghy near Jericho

Sailing summer camps

From a first sail in an Optimist to Sail Canada certification and crewing a 31-foot yacht. Mornings or afternoons, Monday to Friday, at Jericho Beach.

Early bird from $350

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Half-day sailing camps

Pick the camp that fits your sailor

No experience needed to start. Since 1999 we've had 30,000+ sailors on the water, grouped by age and level so everyone learns at the right pace.

Ages 10–14Levels 1–2Afternoons 1–4Mornings 9–12

Sail Escapes

faster boats

For sailors ready for more speed. Crews of two or three take roomy Escape dinghies on longer sails across English Bay.

By Friday: sailing as a team and taking turns at the helm.

Escapes Level 1 and 2.

Early bird $350 a week

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Kids sailing an Optimist dinghy with the city behind

Ages 7–10Levels 1–2Mornings 9–12Afternoons 1–4

Sail Optis

little boats, big confidence

For young sailors starting out. They gain confidence on the water in the classic first boat, sailing in crews of two or three with a coach on the water.

By Friday: taking the helm, working as a crew and bringing the boat back to the beach.

Opti Level 1 and 2.

Early bird $350 a week

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A young sailor in a lifejacket getting her boat ready

Ages 11–16Level 1Mornings 9–12:30Afternoons 1–4:30Sail Canada certified

CANSail 1

the first Sail Canada level, RS Zests

For keen young sailors ready for certification. Pairs sail RS Zests, learning rigging, launching, steering, tacking and capsize recovery.

By Friday: rigging, launching and sailing a course with their partner.

CANSail 1, Sail Canada.

Early bird $395 a week

Places in every week

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Ages 11–16Level 2Afternoons 1–4:30Sail Canada certifiedNeeds CANSail 1

CANSail 2

more wind, more control, RS Zests

For sailors with CANSail 1. Pairs sail RS Zests in more wind, working on sail trim, gybing and every point of sail.

By Friday: sailing a full course as a pair, in charge of their own boat.

CANSail 2, Sail Canada. Needs CANSail 1.

Early bird $395 a week

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Ages 11–16Level 3Evenings 4:30–8Afternoons 1–4:30Two weeksNeeds CANSail 2

CANSail 3

two weeks in 420s

For sailors with CANSail 2 who want to go faster. Pairs sail double-handed 420s for two weeks, working on trim, crew work and starts.

By the last Friday: sailing a 420 around a course as a racing pair.

CANSail 3, Sail Canada. Needs CANSail 2.

Early bird $669 a course

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Ages 11–16Level 4Evenings 4:30–8Afternoons 1–4:30Two weeksNeeds CANSail 3

CANSail 4

two weeks of racing in 420s

For sailors with CANSail 3. Pairs race 420s for two weeks: starts, tactics, boat speed and the racing rules.

By the last Friday: racing a full course as a pair.

CANSail 4, Sail Canada. Needs CANSail 3.

Early bird $669 a course

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Ages 12–16Mornings 9–12Afternoons 1–431-foot yacht

Junior Cruiser

crew a real yacht

For teens curious about big boats. The crew sails a 31-foot yacht, rotating through every job: helm, trim, docking and safety.

By Friday: working every role on the boat as one crew.

No experience needed.

Early bird $595 a week

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Two young campers in lifejackets laughing in the sand

Ages 6–7Mornings 9–12Afternoons 1–4

Beach Kids

first splash

A gentle first week at the water for 6 and 7 year olds. Small groups try sailing in crews, canoeing, beach games and water safety, with a coach close by all week.

By Friday: comfortable in a life jacket and on a boat with friends.

Level: a first week, no experience needed.

Early bird $350 a week

Places in every week

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Ages 14–18Full days 9–3Full daySail Canada certified

Basic Cruising

Sail Canada Basic Cruising for teens

For teens with CANSail 2, Junior Cruiser or similar. Five full days on a yacht as a crew: passages, docking, anchoring and navigation.

By Friday: taking turns as skipper on a passage.

Sail Canada Basic Cruising.

Early bird $995 a week

Places in every week

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Full days

Make it a full day, your way

Add any afternoon to a sailing morning (or the other way round) and save $65.

Sailing + Beach Sports

Ages 7–10 and 10–14

Sail in the morning, play hard on the sand all afternoon.

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Sailing + Canoeing

Ages 7–10 and 10–14

Two kinds of boat, one big week on the water.

Plan a full day →

Sailing + Marine Ecology

Ages 7–10 and 10–14

Learn to sail, then meet what lives under the boat.

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Pathway

From first sail to skipper

Each summer builds on the last, so there's always a next step.

Beach Kids

Ages 6–7. Water confidence.

Sail Optis

Ages 7–10. First sails in crews.

Sail Escapes

Ages 10–14. Boat handling.

CANSail 1–4

Ages 11–16. Certified levels.

Junior Cruiser, Basic Cruising

Ages 12–18. Big boats.

A fleet of Zest dinghies sailing in English Bay

An instructor briefing campers at a whiteboard

Two dinghies sailing with the mountains behind

Safety first

Fun on the water, with serious safety behind it

Certified instructors, trained in water safety, first aid and emergency procedures
Supervisors and managers on site to make sure safety rules are followed
Well-kept gear, including life jackets, wetsuits and boats
Quick access to professional rescue through the Jericho Rescue partnership
A safety briefing before every session

Questions

Good to know

Does my child need experience?

No. Many campers are brand new to the water. Programs are grouped by age and experience, and instruction is adapted so everyone progresses safely and confidently.

What should campers bring?

We supply life jackets and wetsuits where they're needed. Bring a jacket, a change of clothes, soft-soled shoes that can get wet, a hat, sunscreen and a water bottle, plus extra warm layers on cool or wet days. It can feel cool on the water even when it's sunny.

Are camps half days or full days?

Half-day camps run Monday to Friday, with a morning and an afternoon session to choose from. Book any morning and any afternoon in the same week for a full day, and save $65.

How do drop-off and pick-up work?

Come in through the main south gate by the parking lot and bike racks. On the first day, check in at the yellow tent just inside on your right. Pick-up is at the west gate on the waterfront side, at the northwest end of the centre.

Where can I park?

Jericho Sailing Centre has a pay parking lot with hourly parking, and a 15-minute stopping zone for quick drop-offs and pick-ups.

What do the levels mean?

Level 1 builds the fundamentals and confidence. Level 2 adds independence and skills. CANSail levels follow Sail Canada's progression and lead to certification.

What if the weather is bad?

Camps run rain or shine. When it isn't safe on the water, activities move on land. There are no refunds for weather.

What if we need to cancel?

Cancel at least 14 days before the camp starts for a refund less a $50 fee, or a credit for the full amount, valid for 2 years. Free changes to a similar camp up to 14 days ahead, if there's space. The full rules are on the Program Policies page.

Early bird from $350Save $65 on full days

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