The Wild About Sailing logo

Discover Sailingwith Wild About Sailing

What time is it? The best time of your life!

You've thought about it. Now's the day you do it. Join us for a day's adventure on BC's Gulf Islands. You'll be sailing by lunchtime and grinning all the way back to the dock.

Day courses mean you're home for dinner.

Small is beautiful. Fast is fun.
Come find out why.

One day on the water with us, and you'll understand why people get hooked. We sail in some of BC's most beautiful and accessible waters with protected channels, forested islands, and all kinds of wildlife.Maximum four students per boat means you have plenty of time to experience sailing. You raise the sails, trim the sheets, and steer the boat. Everyone gets a turn to learn.We believe smaller are simply better for beginners so we teach on two 28-foot performance cruisers. You feel everything: the wind shifts, the heel, the response in the tiller. You're doing it, sailing the boat from the first hour.

We think sailing is fun. We bet you will too.

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

Your Sail Canada Instructors

Annalise Van Ham

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

Instructor
Onshore Coordinator & Co-owner
Our students say Annalise is patient, warm, and genuinely fun to learn from. She'll help you feel capable, strong, and confident.She's been sailing since 1987 and earned her Sail Canada instructor certification in 1990.

Gene Tehansky

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

Instructor
All-around Good Guy
Gene is a natural teacher. Calm, friendly and informative, he'll help you learn what makes the boat go well under sail.Gene learned to sail on J70’s at J/World Sailing, and qualified as a Sail Canada instructor in 2025.

Dave Robertson

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

Instructor
Instructional Lead & Co-owner
Dave loves boats, and he's eager to share his enthusiasm for sailing. He's all about making the day fun so you can find your groove.He first became a Sail Canada instructor in 1990. He's currently a Sail Canada instructor evaluator.

Our Approach

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

Small, friendly classes

Maximum 4 students means real one-on-one time with your patient instructor. No one gets lost in our crowd!

Sail fast, fun boats!

Our 28-foot performance cruisers are easier to learn on and super fun to sail. Small is beautiful! Fast is fun!

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

Sail Canada Certification

Every course follows national standards. Sail Canada's Learn to Cruise standard is recognized across Canada.

Learn in BC's Gulf Islands

Learn in some of BC's most beautiful sailing waters. Protected, scenic, and great wildlife!

Discover Sailing

Miles and miles of smiles.
Join us for a day's adventure on the water and discover sailing in a safe, welcoming environment.


Course Details

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

What our students say ...

★★★★★

Great personalities, polite, attentive, professional. Perfect boat for training. Not too big, not too small, responsive and fast. Sign up, sail, and you will be hooked.Nick

★★★★★

What a wonderful experience ...
The Discover sailing day they offered was informative, fun and professionally executed. I highly recommend Wild About Sailing.
Caroline

★★★★★

The entire day exceeded my expectations – a brilliant first time on a sailboat indeed. Great instruction, fun conversation, and I was made to feel comfortable.Mary-Anne

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you located?

We're in North Saanich, BC near BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal and about 15 minutes from the Victoria International Airport.

You'll find us at Canoe Cove Marina, often on the patio at the Fox & Monocle Cafe, enjoying a cinnamon bun and a coffee.

What do I need to bring?

Just yourself, a lunch, and a sense of adventure. We provide the boats and the PFDs you'll need on board. Dress in layers for the weather, bring sunscreen, and wear shoes you don't mind getting wet. We'll take care of the rest.See your registration for a detailed list.

Do I need to know anything before I show up?

Not a thing. At this level, there are no prerequisites, no experience required. If you can tie your shoes, you're qualified. We start from scratch and have you sailing on day one.

What happens if the weather is bad?

There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes. We sail in all kinds of weather — that's part of learning! Lessons are only cancelled in genuinely unsafe conditions, and we'll reschedule at no cost to you.

What time do classes start and end?

We start Discover Sailing trips at 9:00 am and end before 5:00 pm
(or whenever you wish).

Can you take us on a boat tour?

Sorry, but our vessels aren't available for sightseeing trips or charters.
We're registered as a Recreational Boating School with Transport Canada, and we only deliver sailing classes. Discover Sailing is based on Sail Canada's Introduction to Boating standard.

Questions? Contact us!

Drop us a line — we don't bite.
[email protected]
+1 778-817-0275

View Sail Canada Keelboat & Cruising Standards.

© Wild About Sailing. All rights reserved.

Thank you!

We'll get back to you as soon as we can!