Beginner Cruise & Learn

Just Add Water

No experience required!

Enjoy 5-days of practice docking, navigating, and vessels under sail and power. Designed to teach anyone who is just starting their boating adventures as skipper or crew, this course is perfect for first-time boaters or those who have been away from the water for a while. Savor and take in the BC coast while learning to sail under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

GROUP COURSE
SAIL: $2,750 per-person
POWER: $3,300 per-person

Or bring your family and friends and enjoy a PRIVATE COURSE on your schedule, choosing your own boat, and customized instruction.

“Days were filled with the exhilaration of sailing, wonderful scenery, interesting new places to visit and the tranquility of mooring in quiet harbours and coves.” Reidun Eggen for THE PROVINCE newspaper

Learning is the Gateway to Having Fun on the Water

Getting Down to Details

Experience Required

No experience required – but if you have some, our instructors will challenge you at whatever level of skill you bring to the course.

Course Format

Participants will receive their theory materials in advance and join us on a 5-day/5-night liveaboard course.

GROUP COURSE

Pricing includes: food, fuel, moorage, study materials, and instruction aboard a fully-appointed sailing vessel between 30-40′
Preparation includes theory study materials (received in advance to ensure preparation prior to arrival)
Course dates are published on our Calendar
Preboard the night before at 1600 p.m. so you can settle in and get ready for a full first day
Course begins at 0900 on the first day and ends at 1300 on the last day (disembarking the vessel is 1400)
Participants are expected to work together as crew on all cooking, cleaning, and other boat maintenance tasks

PRIVATE COURSES are available for groups of family or friends who want to choose their own dates, boats, or seek more 1:1 time with their instructor. On a private course – you choose your own provisions, decide where to go with your skipper, and control how many times you choose to be on the docks or at anchor. Pricing is ala carte – simply choose your boat and we will customize the experience for you. Costs for private courses are not necessarily more expensive, they simply allow more freedom.

For more information about group or private courses, email us at school@cooperboating.com.

Certifications Possible

GROUP COURSE participants will pursue:

Competent Crew, Day Skipper and/or Sail Canada Basic Cruising Standard; AND
PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operator’s Card)

PRIVATE COURSE participants may pursue the following:

Day Skipper and/or Sail Canada Intermediate Cruising Standard: $200
On-Board Coastal Navigation (Day Skipper Candidates Only): $250
Competent Crew or Basic Cruising Standard with PCOC: $200

Included

GROUP COURSE PRICING INCLUDES:

Class Instruction
Study Materials
PCOC
Choice of Competent Crew or Day Skipper or Sail Canada Basic Cruising Standard Certification
Accommodation
Fuel & Moorage Fees
Meals Aboard

PARTICIPANTS SEEKING CERTIFICATION: Theory materials will be mailed in advance for preparation prior to boarding.

Not Included

GROUP COURSE PARTICIPANTS: Appropriate Sailing Attire & Transport To/From the Starting Base

PRIVATE COURSE PARTICIPANTS: Private clients are responsible for the costs of all food (including for the skipper), fuel, moorage, and any certifications desired.

Key Topics Covered

sail trim and basic sail theory
boat handling – under sail & power
basic boat systems and auxiliary motors
fundamental navigation
essentials of weather
emergency preparedness
crew overboard training (under power and sail)

What's Next?

INTERMEDIATE CRUISE AND LEARN: With the rudiments of boat handling in hand, and once you take our VHF and Navigation Clinics, you are ready to enhance and expand your skills and experience on our INTERMEDIATE CRUISE & LEARN so that you are comfortable and capable to bareboat skipper and handle larger vessels for longer periods of time. Check it out for your next adventure!

CLINICS: If you are looking to further your ability to navigate safely and professionally on the water, and are wanting to take the next steps in your cruising certification, we have a number of clinics that you will need to take here at Cooper Boating. We have clinics for VHF/ROC(M), COASTAL NAVIGATION, DOCKING, DIESEL ENGINES, and more.

Payment Terms & Cancellation Policy

Full payment is due at the time of registration. Cancellations made 61+ days prior to the course start date will be subject to a 30% plus tax cancellation fee. The remainder will be refunded via the original method of payment. Cancellations made less than 61 days prior to the course start date are ineligible for a refund. We cannot accept any changes less than 61 days prior to the course start date.

All participants in training programs must be COVID-19 negative upon arrival to our facilities and be willing to submit to a COVID-19 test upon request.

COURSES MAY BE CANCELED IF CLASS SIZE DOES NOT MEET MINIMUM ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE MEDICAL AND CANCELLATION INSURANCE FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND. BEGIN WITH YOUR FAVOURITE TRAVEL AGENT.

Welcome Aboard!