The CFB Kingston Yacht Club (CFBKYC) Learn to Sail (LTS) program is a sail training program intended to encourage and foster safe seamanship. Topaz Vibe dinghies are used for the course. The instructors are Sail Canada certified to CANSail level 1&2 and graduates of the program are qualified to sail Club dinghies on their own. Successful graduates are CANSail certified and receive complimentary club membership for the remainder of the current sailing season.
The School Director, Christian Gagnon, has announced that this year the club will offer a top notch program for Kingston Garrison personnel. Gagnon states, “In addition to our evening course, the day course is an exciting, intensive one week sailing experience geared specifically to serving military members. As a sporting activity, it is hoped that Commanding Officers’ will permit military members to attend this course, noting that it largely runs during the working week. Gagnon continued, “It is hoped that this course will spark an interest in dinghy sailing amongst military members in CFB Kingston, hopefully leading to the Base racing league.”
Don Breen, Fleet Captain Dinghies, is in charge of handling all aspects of the three week LTS course conducted in the evenings. He was asked to describe the role of volunteers in the course and some of the challenges of putting the program together.
According to Breen, “Volunteers are an essential part of the program. They provide all the necessary manpower and expertise to ensure the LTS course runs safely and efficiently. One of the primary functions of the volunteers is to ensure safe launching and retrieval of the dinghies, as well as general safety and assistance on the water during sail training. There are also numerous on-land tasks, including maintaining and repairing equipment, club house organization, and hosting the graduation ceremony that is all done by our volunteers.”
CFBKYC offers a comprehensive and dynamic Learn to Sail program. The program provides an opportunity for Kingston Garrison personnel to enjoy the benefits of living next to the water by enjoying boating in a safe and accessible manner. The CFBKYC provides members with a social community that build a spirit of teamwork and friendship that lasts for years. For many program graduates the LTS provides the gateway to joining the community of boaters.
