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 boats are simply better for beginners so we teach on 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.
Your Sail Canada Instructors
Annalise Van Ham
Instructor
Onshore Coordinator & Co-ownerOur 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.
Your Sail Canada Instructor
Gene Tehansky
Instructor
Director of OperationsGene is a natural instructor. Calm, friendly and informative, he makes sure your understand 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.
Your Sail Canada Instructors
Dave Robertson
Instructor
Instructional Lead & Co-ownerDave loves boats, and he's eager to share his enthusiasm for sailing. He'll help you relax on the boat so you can find your groove.He first became a Sail Canada instructor in 1990. He's currently a senior instructor evaluator.
Our Approach
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!
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
We think sailing is fun, and we bet you will too.
Join us for a day's adventure on the water and discover sailing in a safe, welcoming environment.
Course Details
One day program
No classroom requirements
No pre-requisites
Two to four sailors
$325 per person (excl taxes)
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
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.
How big are the classes?
We keep it small, just three to four sailors per boat. That means you get real time at the helm, not just an afternoon watching someone else sail. Small groups are at the heart of how we teach.
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 that means we only deliver sailing classes. Discover Sailing is based on Sail Canada's Introduction to Boating standard.
Thank you!
To get to the other tide!We'll get back to you as soon as we can!