Adult Sailing Programs

A short and fun introduction to Sailing. Ever wanted to try sailing but not had a way to get out? RNSYS’ Try Sailing! program is for you. Each session will teach some of the basics of sailing while you take in a cruise of Halifax’s beautiful Northwest Arm. These sessions are designed to be a one-off introduction to the sport.

You will be accompanied by an experienced sailing instructor on the boat who will do all the preparation so you can maximize your two hours on the water.

Learn all the basics of keelboat sailing from one of our experienced and Sail Canada-certified instructors. You’ll learn all that you need to know to safely depart the dock, get the sails up, and head on your way!

This two-day course will cover the basics of direction and propulsion on a keelboat while also reviewing how to safely get your boat on its way.

Each day you will meet at 9am, the instructor will provide an introduction to the concepts that will be covered that day and then you will hit the water! You’ll return over lunchtime for a complimentary meal in the RNSYS dining room before heading back out for more fun on the water.

The Learn to Race program is a chance to get out on. the water with an experienced coach and participate in one of RNSYS’ weekly fleet races.

This will give participants a chance to apply the skills they learn in the intermediate and advanced keelboat courses in a racing setting.

Racers will meet an hour and a half before the race starts on Wednesdays and 45 minutes before on Mondays to allow time to rig and get to the race course.

Learn intermediate keelboat skills from one of our experienced and Sail Canada-certified instructors. You’ll learn all that you need to know to safely depart the dock and build confidence sailing on your own!

This two-day course will cover intermediate skills on a keelboat, such as mark roundings, refined sail trim, and Man-Overboard recovery.

Each day you will meet at 9am, the instructor will provide an introduction to the concepts that will be covered that day and then you will hit the water! You’ll return over lunchtime for a complimentary meal in the RNSYS dining room before heading back out for more fun on the water.

Learn advanced keelboat skills from one of our experienced and Sail Canada-certified instructors. You’ll learn all that you need to know to safely depart the dock and be prepared to join a local race, or cruise confidently!

This two-day course will cover advanced skills on a keelboat, such as flying a spinnaker, refined boat handling, and racing strategy.

Each day you will meet at 9am, the instructor will provide an introduction to the concepts that will be covered that day and then you will hit the water! You’ll return over lunchtime for a complimentary meal in the RNSYS dining room before heading back out for more fun on the water.

The RNSYS High-Performance Clinic is an opportunity for athletes to take their sailing to the next level with world-class coaching provided by leaders in sailing. This clinic will bring together sailors from across Canada to learn from the best of the best.

Each day training will be run by our experts with the support of RNSYS’ top-level race management and coaches. Following training, there will be individual group debriefs and then clinic-wide debriefs and presentations from performance coaches, ex-Olympians, members of SailGP, and America’s Cup racers.

This introductory course focuses on essential safety protocols and motoring techniques for keelboat sailors.

Participants will learn key safety procedures, including the right of way and common onboard emergencies like fire, flooding, or man-overboard situations.

Participants will also learn fundamental motoring skills, such as starting, stopping, handling the boat in confined spaces, docking, and anchoring.

This course provides the foundational skills needed to navigate a keelboat safely and efficiently. Participants will learn to read and interpret charts, understand navigational markers, and use tools such as a compass, and GPS.

A component of the course is developing local knowledge and understanding specific regional factors, such as local currents, winds, and hazards unique to this area.

Sail Canada’s Basic Cruising Standard Course is a great way to develop all the skills you need to safely take your own boat out.

Starting in 2025, this course will now be a one day final evaluation; candidates must first complete Intro, and Intermediate Sailing, along with Keelboat Safety & Motoring and Navigation.

The goal of the standard is for all participants to be able to cruise safely in familiar waters as the competent crew of a sloop-rigged keelboat of 6 to 10 meters with an outboard or inboard motor in moderate wind and sea conditions by day. The focus of this Standard is on the development of crew-oriented basic sailing skills, seamanship, and knowledge needed to act as a competent crew.

A weekend course for those looking to spend some time on the water and understand the basics of wing foiling, An experienced coach will teach you the basics onshore, then you’ll get ready to hit the water where you will get lots of time to practice, the day will end with a debrief so you know what to focus on.

A weekend course for sailors looking to try Waszp foiling for the first time, this will teach the basics and give participants ample on water time with personalized coaching from one of our qualified instructors. This course will help develop balance so that participants will be able to get a Waszp foiling.

Learn the basics of windsurfing, with the goal of this course to be able to sail up & down wind as well as turning around a few different ways. The goal is to give you the skills you need to get where you want to go and keep practicing.

Made for sailors who have previous wing foiling experience, this course will teach more advanced techniques such as tacking, pumping, and gybing, helping improve sailors balance and the skills they have in their toolbox to help them on the water.

For sailors with some previous Waszp experience this course will focus on more advanced techniques such as tacking, pumping, and gybing. These will allow sailors to foil around a course or just stay up on the foils for longer!

Take your windsurfing to the next level with the introduction to the harness, intermediate tacks & gybes and even look at turning power into speed!