For individuals 7-9 years old

No prerequisites required

The OYS Wet Feet program provides a safe, fun, and exciting introduction to sailing. We recommend this program for kids 7 years old to 9 years old. Our program introduces these young sailors to fundamental sailing skills including balancing the boat, steering, rigging and de-rigging the boat and tacking. The Wet Feet program makes use of our extremely stable fleet of Optimist dinghies. For a balanced program, kids can expect their days to be filled with games and activities to compliment their newly learned sailing knowledge. This program is offered as a one or two week session - this is the two week session.

This is the 2-week session. Offered Monday through Friday throughout July and August running from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Extended camp hours are available for purchase below.

For individuals 7-9 years old

No prerequisites required

The OYS Wet Feet program provides a safe, fun, and exciting introduction to sailing. We recommend this program for kids 7 years old to 9 years old. Our program introduces these young sailors to fundamental sailing skills including balancing the boat, steering, rigging and de-rigging the boat and tacking. The Wet Feet program makes use of our extremely stable fleet of Optimist dinghies. For a balanced program, kids can expect their days to be filled with games and activities to compliment their newly learned sailing knowledge. This program is offered as a one or two week session. This is the one week session.

This is the 1-week session. Offered Monday through Friday throughout July and August running from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Extended camp hours are available for purchase below.

For individuals 9-12 years old

No prerequisites required

The CANSail 1 & 2 introductory program focuses on fun, safety and fundamental sailing skills. Sailors will learn skills including boat balance, sail trim, heading up, tacking, gybing, leadership, knots, basic weather patterns, docking and sailing terminology. These skills are creatively crafted into fun and unique lessons by our team of qualified and experienced instructors both on and off the water. The CANSail 1/2 program is taught in our fleet of RS Fevas and Quests; these vessels are known for their stability on the water, and easy maneuverability; excellent learning vessels. Programs is offered as a two week session. 

Offered Monday through Friday throughout July and August running from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Extended camp hours are available for purchase below.

For individuals 13-18 years old

No prerequisites required

The CANSail 1 & 2 introductory program focuses on fun, safety and fundamental sailing skills. Sailors will learn skills including boat balance, sail trim, heading up, tacking, gybing, leadership, knots, basic weather patterns, docking and sailing terminology. These skills are creatively crafted into fun and unique lessons by our team of qualified and experienced instructors both on and off the water. The CANSail 1/2 program is taught in our fleet of RS Fevas and Quests; these vessels are known for their stability on the water, and easy maneuverability; excellent learning vessels. Program is offered as a two week session. 

Offered Monday through Friday throughout July and August running from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Extended camp hours are available for purchase below.

For individuals 12-18 years old

Prerequisites: CANSail 2 certificate

CANSail 3 & 4 progressively builds and develops the skills in CANSail 1 & 2, with a focus on keeping the sailor engaged with appropriate learning opportunities. The CANSail 3 & 4 program is privileged to use our large fleet of 420 dinghies. The 420 dinghies are performance boats sailed double handed being stabile at higher speeds and a modest sail area make this vessel ideal for racing. This program focuses on teamwork, boat balance and steering in various conditions, appropriate sail trim for accelerating and stopping, sailing upwind, rounding marks via gybing and tacking, tactics and strategy in regatta participation and seamanship. Our instructors develop engaging lessons that help to build these skills whilst providing an exciting day of on the water sailing activities. CANSail 3/4 is exclusively offered a a 4-week session; at the upper level of programming it does take longer to develop the skills need to achieve your sailing level.

In this program, there is a requirement for local regatta participation. Regatta participation is a highlight for our sailors in this program, and parental support is needed for chaperoning, hauling trailers, travel planning and regatta assistance. Please note that regatta fees and travel expenses are not included in the program fee, however, coaching will be provided at regattas. Participants should expect 1 regatta per session. 

CANSail 3/4 is offered as a 4-week session Monday to Friday during July or August running from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Extended camp care is also available for purchase below.

Prerequisites: CANSail 4 certificate

Take your sailing to the next level with our Trapeze & Spinnaker course — designed for confident sailors ready for some excitement and teamwork! This advanced program introduces sailors to the thrill of double-handed sailing with trapeze and spinnaker equipment, combining balance, communication, and precision, while working towards obtaining their CANSail 5 in the double-handed 420.

Sailors will learn how to fly the spinnaker for speed downwind, master wire-to-wire tacks, and experience the exhilaration of sailing out on the trapeze. Lessons focus on safety, coordination, and fine-tuning boat handling for performance sailing. Each day on the water brings new challenges and skills — from setting and trimming the spinnaker to maintaining perfect balance while planing and surfing.

While this is not a race-focused program, sailors will have the opportunity to put their skills into practice by attending one local regatta. The emphasis is on fun, teamwork, and skill development rather than competition — giving sailors the confidence to enjoy fast, exciting sailing in a supportive environment.

Offered as a 1-month session

For individuals 10-14 years old and maximum 110 pounds

Prerequisites: CANSail 1 Certificate

Participants must charter Opti from OYS or bring their own Opti (storage during the session is included)

Limited number of charters are available through OYS, please click here to purchase your Opti charter.

In the OYS Opti Learn to Race program, sailors will be working to achieve their CANSail 3. The Opti racers continue to develop their skills by introducing a new racing aspect. Sailors will learn leadership, boat balance and steering in various conditions, hiking, appropriate sail trim for desired destination including accelerating and stopping, sailing upwind, rounding marks via gybing and tacking, and race tactics and strategy; all with a focus surrounding racing. Sailors in this program are required provide their own Optimist dinghy, charters are available through the OYS Sailing School. We recommend this program for sailors 9 thorough 14 years old, with a maximum weight of 110 pounds.

The Oakville Yacht Squadron is a sailing centre of excellence for racers in the GTA. To maintain this level of excellence, a higher level of commitment from our racers and parents is required. Regatta participation is a highlight for our sailors in this program and parental support is required by way of chaperoning, hauling trailers, travel planning and regatta assistance. Please note that regatta fees and travel expenses are not included in the program fee. Coaching will be provided at regattas.

Opti Learn to Race is offered in 4-week sessions in July or August, Monday to Friday, 9:00am-3:30pm. Extended camp care is available for purchase below.

Prerequisites: CANSail 4 Certificate

Must charter boat from OYS or supply own boat for the program, program fee includes summer storage

Limited number of charters are available, please click here to purchase your 420 charter.

In this program, the advancing sailors’ skills are enhanced and applied to sailing faster and competitively. Sailors will be working towards completing their CANSail 5 & 6. These enthusiastic sailors will experience more challenging training sessions while mastering and combining previously learned skills in a race focused environment. This program focuses on fine tuning the sailors’ sailing proficiency. Sailors will learn imperative racing skills including optimal body position in all conditions, powering up and depowering using sail controls, sheeting and steering, tactical mark rounding, gybing and tacking in all conditions, and stopping and starting on a line. Sailors in this program are required provide their own 420 dinghy, whether owned or privately chartered. Summer storage is included in the registration fee. 

The Oakville Yacht Squadron is a sailing centre of excellence for racers in the GTA. To maintain this level of excellence, a higher level of commitment from our racers and parents is required. Regatta participation is a highlight for our sailors in this program and parental support is required by way of chaperoning, hauling trailers, travel planning and regatta assistance. Please note that regatta fees and travel expenses are not included in the program fee. Coaching will be provided at regattas.

This program is offered as an 8-week summer session in July and August OR a 4-week session in July or August. Programs run Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Many regattas occur on the weekend, which may alter the the weekday programming to ensure rest days for our athletes.

Spring training will occur in May and June, dependent on registration numbers and scheduled based on participant availability.

Prerequisites: CANSail 4 Certificate

Must supply own boat for the program, program fee includes summer storage

In this program, the advancing sailors’ skills are enhanced and applied to sailing faster and competitively. Sailors will be working towards completing their CANSail 5 & 6. These enthusiastic sailors will experience more challenging training sessions while mastering and combining previously learned skills in a race focused environment. This program focuses on fine tuning the sailors’ sailing proficiency. Sailors will learn imperative racing skills including optimal body position in all conditions, powering up and depowering using sail controls, sheeting and steering, tactical mark rounding, gybing and tacking in all conditions, and stopping and starting on a line. Sailors in this program are required provide their own Laser dinghy, whether owned or privately chartered. Summer storage is included in the registration fee.

The Oakville Yacht Squadron is a sailing centre of excellence for racers in the GTA. To maintain this level of excellence, a higher level of commitment from our racers and parents is required. Regatta participation is a highlight for our sailors in this program and parental support is required by way of chaperoning, hauling trailers, travel planning and regatta assistance. Please note that regatta fees and travel expenses are not included in the program fee. Coaching is provided at regattas.

This program is offered as an 8 week summer session in July and August OR a 4-week session in July or August. Programs run Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 3:30pm. Many regattas occur on the weekend, which may alter the the weekday programming to ensure rest days for our athletes.

Spring training will occur in May and June, dependent on registration numbers and scheduled based on participant availability. Fall training will occur in September and October, dependent on registration numbes and scheduled based on participant availability.

Available for sailors who need to be dropped off or picked up outside of our regular hours. The OYS Sailing School Program is flexible for those guardians who need to take some extra time. Extended hours in the morning will begin at 8:00 AM and in the afternoon be offered from 3:30 – 5:00 PM.

No prerequisites required 

Individuals 16+ years old

The OYS Basic Cruising is the ideal entry point for sailors looking to take the helm of a cruising keelboat with confidence. Based on the Sail Canada Basic Cruising Standard, this course builds the skills needed to safely skipper a keelboat in familiar waters during daytime, light to moderate wind conditions. You’ll learn to operate the boat under both sail and power, developing essential seamanship skills as crew and skipper. 

Through hands-on instruction, participants gain experience with sail handling, learn sailing terminology while practicing these skills, safety equipment, weather awareness, docking and maneuvering in a sailboat, and basic navigation using charts. On-shore teachings will complement on-water skillsets. This course provides a strong, practical foundation for enjoying keelboat sailing safely and responsibly. Basic Cruising certification is awarded upon successful exam and demonstration of practical sailing skills. Participnts should anticipate 18 hours of sailing and 10 hours of theory.

These training sessions involve brief periods of moderate upper body effort and require a reasonable level of arm strength. Participants will be exposed to sun, wind, spray, and rain, with weather conditions varying based on the season. While underway, the vessel may move unpredictably due to wind and waves, and temperatures on the water may be cooler than on land.

Offered as a Week Long session 9:30am - 3:30pm OR

as an Evening Course on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5pm - 8:30pm over 4 weeks.

No prerequisites required

Individuals 16+ years old

The OYS Sailing School follows the CANSail Learn to Sail Program. Whether you are looking to try something new, learn to sail, or want to buy a boat in the future, this is the place to start. Adult programs are taught in our dinghy class of RS Quests, accommodating up to 3 adults in each boat. This program provides a safe and enjoyable introduction to sailing and boating. The program is designed to teach the basics of dinghy sailing at CANSail level 1 including boat balance, sail trim, heading up, tacking, gybing, leadership, knots, basic weather patterns, docking and sailing terminology. These skills are taught through unique lessons by our team of qualified and experienced instructors. CANSail certificates are awarded upon successful completion of a set of practical skills and demonstrated knowledge.

Sessions on Monday & Wednesday evenings for two weeks from 5:00pm to 8:30pm