The Nanaimo Yacht Club (NYC) Sailing School is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting both competitive and recreational sailing.

NYC offers courses in dinghies for youth ages 5 to 18. Our Sail Canada-certified sailing school operates year-round, with programs running through the spring, summer, and fall. These include junior programs such as the Youth Race Team and our popular Summer Sailing Camps.

All programs are supported by Sail Canada-certified coaching staff, who adhere to Sail Canada’s guidelines.

NYC junior members have access to our fleet of Club-owned Optimist, Topper, and 420 dinghies, which are conveniently stored on the docks with direct access to Nanaimo Harbour.

We’re currently preparing for the 2025 Summer Season and will begin accepting registrations on April 1st.

It is recommended that Cansail 1 and 2 students be registered for two consecutive weeks. This gives the sailors ample time to learn and practice the skills they require to pass their levels.
Consecutive course weeks are discounted at 10%. If a student passes a level within a week, the second week is refunded with the discounted portion. The first week is not eligible for the 10% discount.

It is also recommended that CanSail 3 and 4 courses be registered for three consecutive weeks. The technical aspects of the skills taught, learned and practiced are built upon the skills they learn in CanSail 1 and 2.
Consecutive course weeks are discounted at 10%. If a student passes a level within two weeks, the third week is refunded with the discounted portion. The first 2 weeks are not eligible for the 10% discount.

Registrations can be booked in one week increments, depending on the confidence that the sailor would pass within a one week period.