Ghost Lake Sailing Academy 2012 Schedule for CYA Cruising Courses

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, Sail away from the safe harbor, Catch the tradewinds in your sails.
Explore. Dream. Discover."

This "on the water driver's license" is now mandatory in Canada. A one day clinic followed by the CYA Spark Start Exam will provide the certification necessary to operate a power boat of 10 hp or greater in Canadian waters.

Full course cost including certification is $65.00
Challenge only $40.00, offered by appointment.

Register early to receive course materials for pre-study. Materials consist of extensive text and interactive CD with radio simulator. Total cost including lifetime certificate with DSC endorsement is $150.00, plus GST. Next Class May 11, 2012. Register early to receive pre-study package.

Offered at the Ghost Lake Provincial Park, 20 minutes west of Calgary on the 1A highway. No prerequisites except a willingness to learn and have fun. Total cost of $950.00 includes CYA International Cruising Logbook, text and various materials. A $300.00 non-refundable registration deposit is required to hold the dates you desire as class size is limited. Shortly after receipt of the deposit, your logbook, text etc. will be delivered to you.

First you decide on a classroom session where we learn the theory portion of the course. Second, pick an on the water session for 3 full days of hands on instruction. By the end you will be comfortable as skipper on a small keelboat, by day in moderate wind and sea conditions.

CLASSROOM SESSIONS, 2012:

Class runs Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday. Class session ends with the writing of the Coast Guard Operators Certificate exam and CYA Basic Cruising Theory exams Sunday afternoon.

CL1 April 27,28,29

CL2   -   June 1,2,3

CL3   -   June 22,23,24

CL5   -   August 24,25,26

AFLOAT SESSIONS, 2012:

Maximum 4 students per session. Classes will be run on Catalina 250 keelboat. Three days on the water where you will learn everything necessary to feel comfortable as skipper in moderate wind and sea conditions on a variety of boats. Conditions on the Ghost Lake can be much more challenging! You will learn to reef early and reef often!

WC1 -   May 19,20,21

WC2 -   May 25,26,27

WC3 -   June 1,2,3

WC4 -   June 8,9,10

WC5 -   June 15,16,17

WC6 -   June 22,23,24

WC7 -   June 30, July 1,2

WC8 -   July 6,7,10

WC9 -   July 13,14,15

WC10 - September 1,2,3

WC11 - September 7,8,9

WC12 - September 14,15,16

WC14 - September 21,22,23

Class runs two consecutive weekends. You will learn the principals and practices required for prudent coastal navigation and piloting. The basic questions of "Where am I?" and "How do I get there as quickly as possible?" - or - "How not to go bump in the fog" will be dealt with. Total cost of $450.00 includes all texts, navigation instruments and chart. Register by early as it takes a while to get all the materials together.

We have just bought the offshore capable Sceptre 36, OCEAN KARMA. The course consists of a five day cruise through the Gulf Islands where you will apply the skills you have acquired in the Basic Cruising and Coastal Navigation courses in a real cruising situation with tides, currents and weather. The vessel is fully equipped with full instrumentation, radar, SSB and VHF Radios, fireplace, hot and cold pressure water, shower etc.. This year it received a new diesel, and complete new rigging. Arrangements will be made with any interested party of 3 at any time which does not conflict with scheduled courses. In the interest of maximum comfort and learning experience, maximum 3 students per course unless prior arrangements are made. Full cost including provisions is $1500.00 per person. Compare for value.

IC1 – April 18 - 22 - Full

Couples wishing to do their Intermediate together in the summer are invited to contact us for details of July trips in Desolation Sound, Gulf Islands and the Discovery Islands. Maximum 2 students per week.

Just about any date you require is available year round as I have 2 other similar yachts and instructors on standby if I can't do it.

We now have a vessel suitable for teaching at the Advanced Cruising Level. Ocean Karma is a fully equipped and impeccably maintained cruising yacht with everything aboard for advanced cruising and navigation. This year she is sporting a brand new Kubota diesel engine along with a completely new standing and running rig and full cockpit enclosure for warmth in the shoulder seasons. Call or email with your requirements.

Care for a fun filled Cruise in the Caribbean? This year we went to Antigua and the BVI's. Cure the mid winter blues. Contact us for details.

If you do not feel comfortable taking command or just want the comfort of a skipper along, skippered charters are available on request for a maximum party of 4 (plus skipper), anywhere on the west coast. You choose the destinations. We will be available for charter in the Gulf Islands and Desolation Sound July and August this year. Three to five day charters available at the location of your choice, call for details.