BASIC CRUISING STANDARD

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The Basic Cruising Sailing Certificate is a course that is part of the Quebec Sailing Federation’s curriculum and is recognized by the Canadian Sailing Federation. Upon completion of this certification, you will be able to sail safely, as a competent skipper or crew member, on a 6- to 10-meter sailboat equipped with an inboard or outboard motor, in familiar waters, during daylight hours, in moderate wind and sea conditions.

Obtaining the Elementary Certificate:

Skipper or Competent Crew Member

Throughout your course, your instructor will evaluate your practical performance on various maneuvers and objectives governed by the Quebec Sailing Federation. Depending on your skill level, you can obtain the title of Skipper, authorizing you to command a sailboat with a crew, or the title of Competent Crew Member, allowing you to participate in maneuvers as a member of the crew. Please note that these certifications are only issued if the candidate registers for a theory exam (not included in the practical course) and obtains a score of 70% or higher on the exam. For a detailed description of the Sail Canada Basic Sailing Certificate and its objectives, please click here.

Sailing area

Lac des Deux-Montagnes is considered an exceptional place to learn to sail. Its vast expanse of water offers a safe and relatively uncrowded environment, allowing beginners to sail in complete safety, while benefiting from variable wind conditions for an enriching learning experience.

Additional information

The course takes place aboard a 26-foot Tanzer Azimut, an ideal boat for learning to sail. Capacity is deliberately limited to three students in order to offer each participant optimal practice time, whereas many schools accommodate up to four participants per boat. Classes are taught in French.

Lunch is taken on board the boat and is not included. We invite you to bring your own meal.

The book Initiation à la voile croisière (Introduction to Cruising Sailing), as well as the related theory exam, must be booked separately. It is strongly recommended that you read the manual before the practical course in order to familiarize yourself with the concepts covered and optimize your chances of success.

Students can reserve their theory exam at any time on Saturday mornings until the end of September. The exam is usually taken after the practical course.

At the end of the season, the list of candidates who have passed their Skipper or Competent Crew certification will be sent to the Quebec Sailing Federation, which will issue the stamp to be affixed to your logbook.

Training days will go ahead with a minimum of two participants. If the minimum number is not reached, the client will be invited to reschedule their training day, or a private course option may be offered to the registered student.

For important information to consider before your course, please refer to our document “Important information to know for your course.”

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOOKING

STEP 1: Book your course

The course lasts a minimum of 4 days, and students can add additional training days, depending on their needs and experience, in order to achieve the level of autonomy required to obtain their certification.

When booking online, please make sure to select a minimum of four days on the calendar. Additional training days can be added at the time of initial booking or later, depending on your needs.

During these sessions, your instructor will guide you and, in collaboration with the other students, help you put into practice all the skills required to obtain the IVQ Certificate (Introduction to Cruising) or the Canadian Sailing Federation’s Elementary Certificate, depending on the objectives of each participant in the group.

Training days are held with a minimum of two participants. If the minimum number is not reached, the customer will be invited to reschedule their training day, or a private lesson option may be offered to the registered student.

STEP 2: Purchase your book

The book Introduction to Cruising Sailing is Sail Canada’s official manual and is an essential tool for anyone wishing to discover or consolidate their basics in cruising sailing. Designed to accompany the Elementary Cruising Sailing Certificate training, it is also the main reference for the theory exam required to obtain the official Sail Canada certificate.

We strongly recommend that you study this manual before the start of your course to familiarize yourself with the concepts covered in the certificate and maximize your chances of success.

Shipping costs of $20 + tax are included in the price.

STEP 3: Sign the online risk acceptance form

We thank you for acknowledging the risks associated with your activity and signing the online risk acceptance form to make your on-site experience as enjoyable and hassle-free as possible.

STEP 4: Book your theory exam

Basic cruising sailing certificates are issued exclusively by the Quebec Sailing Federation after candidates have passed the course theory exam with a passing grade of 70% or higher. Theory exams last a maximum of two hours and are based on the content of the book “Initiation à la voile croisière” (Introduction to Cruising Sailing). Exam sessions are available every Saturday morning from June to September inclusive.

The theory exam can be booked throughout the summer, when the candidate feels ready to take it.

You must bring your logbook to your theory exam so that the instructor can sign it, if you pass the exam.

STEP 5: Final step before boarding (The most important)

YOUR PREPARATION

The basic cruising sailing certificate is an intensive and comprehensive course, ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to sail a boat and crew safely and appropriately. Due to the large amount of information and skills to master in just 4 days, especially for candidates with no previous sailing experience, it is essential to be well prepared. Proper preparation will maximize your chances of success and allow you to get the most out of your investment.

Watch our YouTube viewing list

To make learning more dynamic and engaging, Voile Sansoucy has invested in a series of videos covering the essential topics to prepare you for your Basic Certificate course. This series of 10 videos, with a total duration of approximately 40 minutes, provides an overview of the important maneuvers that will be covered during your course. Sit back, get your popcorn ready, and start learning now!

Reading the book Introduction to Cruising

We strongly recommend that you study the Sail Canada book Introduction to Cruising (included in your course) before the start of your course to familiarize yourself with the topics covered in the certification. This book serves as a reference for the explanations given during the practical course as well as for the topics covered in the theory exam for the elementary certification. When you register, you will have the option of having the book delivered to your home or picking it up directly at our sailing club.

Off-season (October 15 to May 15): it is best to call ahead to make sure someone is on site to receive you (450-472-8042, option 2).

OPTIONAL: Book additional sessions

The Basic Cruising Sailing Certificate is awarded after a minimum of 28 hours of instruction. Although participants can successfully complete their practical certification during the 4-day course, it is common to need additional refresher sessions to fully assimilate the theory and maneuvers assessed during the practical exam. Refresher days can be added as the student progresses.

See you on the water!