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Sailing


Sailing is a great way to rediscover your hometown and adopt a new perspective. Everyone from elementary schoolchildren to grandparents and even great-grandparents can learn to sail! The sailing community is welcoming, and you’re bound to meet wonderful sailors no matter where you go!
 

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JUNIOR SAILING

Junior Sailing School

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After much consideration, the decision was made to increase the minimum age for our Jr Sailing Program for our 2026 season. While in the past we accepted students as young as 8 years of age, the minimum age for our program this year is set at 10 (by Dec 31, 2026), the exception to this being returning students.

As we are still in the process of solidifying the schedule and the fees for the season, registration is unavailable at this time. 

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Introduce your kids to the joy of sailing!

Junior sailing lessons are for ages 10 to 17. Students aged 18+ are encouraged to enroll in adult sailing lessons.

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Summer Sailing Program Starts June 30th & ends August 15th
Full-day junior sailing sessions are offered by the week, Monday - Friday.
Lessons are 9 am - to 4 pm, with a supervised lunch 12-1 pm. Lessons will also run during holidays.

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Junior sailing students spend a lot of time on the water and should expect to get wet! Basic swimming skills and comfort in the water is required.

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The DRSSC Sailing program follows the national CANSail curriculum and is delivered by fully qualified sailing instructors. Students learn to sail through on-land training and on-water experiences in dinghies (small sailboats).

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​Students start in CANSail 1 and can progress up to CANSail 4, learning core sailing skills in a safe and fun environment. 

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Students interested in becoming instructors with the club are encouraged to discuss this with the Head Instructor or Sailing School director - it offers a great development path & an unbeatable summer job!

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Equipment required:
 

  • Properly fitting PFD (life jacket) that meets Canadian government standards and has a pealess whistle attached (ie Fox 40 from
    Canadian Tire)

  • Appropriate clothing for all types of weather, including a hat, windbreaker, and warm layers.

  • Closed-toe sandals, water shoes, or old running shoes that can get wet.

  • Towel, sunscreen, water bottle, and sunglasses (personal eyewear should be secured with a strap)

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Junior Sailing Fees (TBD for 2026)
 

We offer multi-week discounts as outlined below. 

      One week           $325      

      Two weeks          $585      

      Three weeks       $875       

      Four weeks       $1170    

      Five weeks        $1465     

      Six weeks          $1750   

      Seven weeks     $2100

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​Junior Sailing Lesson Registration Contact:

  • Ashleigh Anne Cluff  343-369-3055    email

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If you need a helping hand with lesson fees, our Don Clements Bursary Program is here for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out for more information. DRSSC is committed to making sure everyone has the opportunity to be part of our sailing community and join in the fun! 

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ADULT SAILING

We are excited to offer new opportunities this season for both beginner and experienced adult sailors.  

  • Our weekend adult introductory sailing course will now follow the CANSail 1 standard, enabling successful participants to achieve a nationally recognized certification.  

  • We are also creating a new system where qualified members can borrow club boats for recreational use on evenings and weekends. 

Stay tuned for more details and additional events. We hope you will join us on our beautiful river! 

Adult Learn to Sail - CANSail 1

​​​NEW for 2026 we are offering formal CANSail certification for adult sailors.  

This weekend course follows the CANSail 1 curriculum, which is the national standard for dinghy sailing lessons. Successful completion of this course will qualify members to borrow club sailboats for recreational use. 

This introductory course will be taught by qualified instructors and volunteers. The course covers: 

  • Safety fundamentals  

  • Rigging and simple knots 

  • Basic steering and maneuvering  

  • Sail control 

  • Capsize recovery 

 

Tentative dates: 

  • July 11-12, 9am to 5pm each day with a 1-hour lunch break 

  • August 8-9, 9am to 5pm each day with a 1-hour lunch break 

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​​​​​Fees​​​​ 

  • DRSSC Members: $150 

  • Non-Members: $200 ($50 discount on season membership) 

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​​​Pre-Requisites:  

  • No previous sailing experience necessary 

  • Participants must be able to swim and be comfortable in open water 

  • Participants must have a basic degree of fitness and mobility. Participants will be required to crouch and maneuver in a small dinghy and pull themselves into a boat. If you have injuries or physical limitations, please reach out to our organizers to discuss possible accommodations or alternative opportunities to try sailing. ​ 

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Equipment Required: 

  • Properly fitting PFD (life jacket) that meets Canadian government standards and has a pealess whistle attached (ie Fox 40 from Canadian Tire) 

  • Appropriate clothing for all types of weather, including a hat, windbreaker, and warm layers. 

  • Secure closed-toe sandals (not crocs), water shoes, or old running shoes that can get wet. 

  • Towel, sunscreen, water bottle, and sunglasses (personal eyewear should be secured with a strap)​ 

Club Sailboat Borrowing

NEW for 2026, we are trialling a boat borrowing system, included with the adult membership. Now, experienced adult sailors can borrow club sailboats for recreational use outside of formal programming.

 

Members must have at least CANSail level 1 or equivalent and attend a club orientation session before borrowing club boats.  

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Available club sailboats include 420s, Lasers, and a Laser 2. These boats can be booked in advance for most evenings and weekends using the CourtReserve system. 

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Additional details TBC. 

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Racing & Regattas

The DRSSC will host one regatta this season. More details TBC

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