Ever find yourself sitting at Harbourfront in Toronto on a breezy summer day watching all the boats go by and wishing you were on the water too? Then maybe it’s time for sailing lessons. You don’t have to own a boat to sail; there are many sailing clubs in Toronto where members have access to the club’s sailboats once they have passed the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) course. In addition, yacht club members are always looking for crew members so this is another option for gaining experience as a sailor without having to buy your own boat.
Harbourfront Centre Sailing and Powerboat Club
Located at 275 Queen’s Quay West (416-203-3000), Harbourfront Sailing and Powerboat Club provides CYA instruction in Basic Cruising, in which students will learn to sail on keelboats. Students who pass this course may rent the club’s keelboats that are up to 24 feet in length or use them as part of club membership. The Basic Cruising course is $545 and spread over 28 hours on evenings or weekends. The evening schedule provides more time to absorb sailing instruction.
Westwood Sailing Club
Westwood Sailing Club, located off of Cherry Street at 12 Regatta Road (416-461-0613), is an affordable option to become a sailing club member. This not-for-profit club offers CYA sailing instruction; however, students must be members of the club. The annual club membership fee is $495 and includes use of the club’s keelboats and CYA courses are an additional $65.
Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club
You’ve probably passed this club many times on your run or blade along the Martin Goodman Trail. The Toronto Sailing and Canoe Club (1391 Lake Shore Blvd. W., 416-531-0403) is right next to the Argonaut Rowing Club. The club’s Basic Cruising course is $525.45 and offered on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The course is taught on Tanzer 22 keelboats. Members may use the club’s keelboats by purchasing a keelboat membership for $593.25.
