Sailing instruction
Free Spirit Sailing aims to develop West Coast sailing as an affordable recreational activity. We have two strategies to get you on the water: the Silva Bay Program and Cruise and Learns.
Silva Bay Program
With two boats based in Silva Bay Marina, Free Spirit Sailing excursions depart from and return to historic Silva Bay, a port protected by the naturally stunning Flat-Top islands at the south end of Gabriola Island. Sailing destinations are set by the winds and your sailing comfort. Perfect for individualized instruction, or for small groups of two or three students, thereby ensuring everyone gets hands-on crew experience and time at the helm.
½ Day Experience Sailing
Sail the local waters with wind on your face and sail lines in your hands on a 28’ or 32’ cruising sailboat out of Silva Bay. Assist the skipper and experience sailing while viewing the stunning snow-capped West Coast mountains and amongst curious seals, otters, sea lions, whales, and seabirds!
2026 COST: $400 flat rate for a private group of up to 3 persons.
1-Day / 2-Day Introduction to Coastal Sailing
Prepare to sail, prepare to learn! Practice tacking, gybing, points of sail, heaving-to, crew recovery, docking, and sailor knots! Add a second day of boat and study time to attain the CRYA Introduction to Coastal Cruising certification. This introduction counts toward the Competent Crew course.
2026 COST: 1-day sailing from Silva Bay on one of our boats: $795 (up to 2 persons per group).
Two-day program with CRYA Certification – $1775 (up to 3 persons per group).
4-Day Silva Bay Competent Crew & Day Skipper Courses
Structured courses (Competent Crew and Day Skipper) and personalized training. The 4-Day program includes accommodation on board one of our sailboats at Silva Bay Marina. You will self-provision and use the boat galley (lots of advice given if needed) and enjoy quiet evenings in Silva Bay. Use the dock time to review CRYA manuals, practise your knots, go for an evening hike or a sunset kayak trip. Days are spent on the water, learning and practising sailing & navigation skills!
2026 COST: $1750 per person includes CRYA certification, manuals, and logbook. Minimum 2 persons. Maximum group size may vary by course, so please contact us to learn more or reserve your spot!
Optional VHF Radio Certification (ROC-M) available concurrently for $150
All Free Spirit Sailing courses are Canadian Recreational Yachting Association (CRYA) accredited. Check their website for more details: crya.org. CRYA programs are designed to guide you through the achievement of the competencies, skills and confidence in sailing, enabling you to fulfill your sailing dreams. Competent Crew instruction provides you with the skills needed to support a skipper aboard a sailing vessel in tidal waters. In an emergency, you can serve as skipper. Day Skipper instruction provides you with certification as the skipper of a cruising sailing vessel. This prepares you to be responsible for the safety of your vessel and crew, while day sailing in familiar waters, within 10 miles of a safe harbour, during daylight, in moderate wind and sea conditions, using basic navigational skills. Coastal Navigation will teach you more advanced navigation skills in order for you to advance to next level. Coastal Skipper certification provides all the skills needed to skipper your own boat in all conditions and possibly bareboat charter in Canada. A Yachtmaster Offshore course is your opportunity to expand your horizons while providing you with the confidence and high-level competence to sail offshore. You will use technologies and equipment for trip planning, weather routing and emergency response.
If you have experience, such as extensive time on boats or prior certification, Free Spirit Sailing offers a comprehensive assessment of your boating skills and abilities and will recommend an instructional program and appropriate certifications.
Provisioned Cruise & Learn
An intensive and fun way to learn to sail and develop your sailing skills is to spend a week or more living aboard a cruising yacht. A Cruise & Learn package can be as short as a weekend or as long as you wish. Free Spirit Sailing can organize a Cruise & Learn for one or two individuals on each of our sailboats. Alternatively, for your whole family or a group of friends for a minimum of 7 days, the Cruise & Learn will be on a local charter boat (see below). Sail the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, the Sunshine Coast, or your chosen destinations. Competent Crew, Day Skipper, and Coastal Skipper certifications offered.
2026 COST: From $795 per day plus provisions and instructional manuals if on OUR boats; fees vary according to destinations and certification sought.
Optional VHF Radio Certification (ROC-M) available concurrently for $150
Free Spirit Sailing provides multi-day instructional charters on our boats, your boat, or a Charter boat.
Provisioned Cruise & Learn
Know how to sail but haven't tried Coastal cruising? Have a large group that requires 3 cabins? Just acquired a new-to-you sailboat? Instruction is available on your boat or a chartered vessel.
We can help you discover the local waters of Georgia Strait (Salish Sea), the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound, and the Sunshine Coast. Free Spirit Sailing will teach you all you need to know to safely sail on the West Coast, using and improving your existing skills so you gain confidence and refine your techniques.
Free Spirit Sailing can also help you build your sailing resume for future warm-water or European charters. We can facilitate chartering a suitable local vessel and provide instruction at the Coastal Skipper level thereby ensuring that you have the skills and experience to qualify for bare-boat chartering. Once qualified you may challenge the International Certificate of Competency required in EU charter bases.
2026 COST: from $500 per day plus instructional manuals and travel expenses if on YOUR boat; charter fees vary according to length of charter, time of year, provisioning, destinations (marinas and anchorages) and certification sought.