| Introduction to Cruising
This program provides the newcomer with a taste of
what cruising under sail is all about. It is an opportunity
to experience first hand what sailing is about without
committing to a full Learn to Cruise Program. The program
can be shared as a couple, or a group. You and your
friends or associates will spend the day cruising aboard
a sailing yacht with the opportunity to experience
many aspects of operating the vessel.
Your CYA certified instructors are veteran sailors
with extensive and varied experience. You will be able
to draw on their knowledge and experience to gain insight
into cruising, boat selection, boat operation, chartering
and provisioning. The educational components of the
program will include basic terminology, the language
of sailing, readying the vessel and getting under way,
basic sailing both as helmsman and crew.
Basic Cruising Courses
The Basic Cruising Course is designed for the prospective
cruising sailor who has minimal or no sailing knowledge
or experience. The student is taught the necessary
skills to safely sail local waters in moderate
winds and sea conditions during daylight hours.
The student will learn to perform the duties of
both skipper and crew of a 25 – 29 foot sailing
vessel.
This course is offered in two formats.
The first is comprised of the student attending classroom
lectures covering the ashore knowledge element of the
program. This is accomplished over an eight week period
generally held in the off season (late fall, winter,
or early spring) and followed by three full days on
the water during sailing season.
The second format
is 5 full days at a harbour where the theory and
practical components of the course are delivered in
a combined format.
CURRICULUM FOR ASHORE KNOWLEDGE
- Section I Terms and Definitions
- Section II Gear and Equipment
- Section III Safety
- Section IV Rules of the Road
- Section V Weather
- Section VI Duties of the Skipper and Crew
- Section VII Seamanship
Intermediate Cruising
Intermediate cruising offers the skipper to develop
those skills required for bareboat chartering. The
course is taught in familiar waters on sailing yachts
of 8 to 12 meters in moderate sea conditions. The emphasis
of this program is on the water skills with additional
components dealing with yacht systems, provisioning
and living afloat.
Prerequisites for the program are the Basic Cruising
Standard, acting as skipper for at least 10 day sails,
and applied knowledge of the skills learned in Basic
Cruising.
Coastal Navigation Course
This course is leading to the CYA "Coastal Navigation
Standard" certification. This course is a must
for anyone sailing in coastal waters. You will learn
the meaning and use of chart symbols, tide and current
tables, fixes, plotting courses, plotting danger bearings
etc. This course requires no prerequisites and will
run over seven three hours sessions.
Celestial Navigation Course
There are no prerequisite courses to enrol in this
course. It is open to anyone wanting to learn how to
navigate by Sun, Moon and stars. The course was designed
for advanced sailors being able to demonstrate the
celestial navigation theory required to safely navigate
a sailing yacht on an offshore passage. The practical
application is conducted in the Offshore Standard.
This course will run over seven three hours sessions.
VHF Seminar
Did you know that it is illegal to operate a marine
VHF radio without a license? Learn how to communicate
and handle emergency situations on a VHF marine radio.
This seminar will cover all aspects of radio operation.
Upon successful completion of the course you will be
awarded the VHF Marine Restricted Radio Operator's
Certificate from Industry Canada.
Weather Seminar
Forecast weather yourself with an understanding of
air masses, fronts, clouds; wind direction and local
weather phenomena. Learn to interpret weather maps
and reports together with your own observations to
understand weather patterns.
Boat Buying Seminar
Get answers to questions like, are there advantages
buying vs chartering a boat? Manufacturers, design,
size, minimum equipment, types of engine, winter storage,
surveys, smelly heads, potential problems, what kind
of training, buy old or new?
Pleasure Craft Operators Card
Transport Canada has brought in mandatory boating
safety certification for boaters with the regulations
being phased in. That period is almost over. Every
vessel operator will require a "Pleasure Craft
Operators Card" by October of 2009. After this
date boaters without this certification will face fines
and will probably invalidate their boat's liability
insurance. This one day course covers the basics
of safe boating.
If you are interested in any of the courses
or seminars and would like more information call
the MSA office at 925-5650 or send us an email at
the following address: sailing@sport.mb.ca
Note: All courses certified by the Canadian
Yachting Association may be challenged.
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