The Learn to Sail (LTS) program is based upon the levels developed by the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA). These levels are divided into two divisions:

White Sail

This is the introductory level where students will learn basic terminology, basic principals of sailing, knots and sailing rules. On the water students will learn boat safety and basic boat handling skills. In Levels 1 and 2 students will use Optimists and the recently purchased Taz's, and in Level 3 students are introduced to double-handed sailing using Club 420’s

Bronze Sail

Students will have the opportunity to advance their skills learning the use of trapeze, spinnaker handling, sail trim and advanced principals of boat and sail design. Students will use the double-handed Club 420.

Traditionally the SYC Sailing School has set a high standard of achievement for its students to insure they move through the levels with confidence and the required base skills. Many of the current instructors frequently repeated levels to meet the program requirements.
Recently instructors felt parental pressure to complete the enrolled level in one session. This has created some serious concerns, as students in advanced levels were unable to demonstrate the perquisite skills – especially when some of their skills were necessary to sail independently on Lake Huron.

Please accept and appreciate that not all students will achieve the required skills on the first attempt. It is our goal to insure students can demonstrate consistently the required skills of the level being undertaken – a student that does not consistently demonstrate the required skills does not fail – the student has simply not completed the level.