Parent's Guide to Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program 2025

Sail Canada's recommended ratio is 1 coach boat with a CANSail Instructor for every 6 sailboats, and 1 CANSail Instructor for every 10 sailors.

The ratio is a recommendation only, because the type of boats, skill level of sailors, sailing area, additional support boats, location and weather conditions must be considered.

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, section 2.6.

CANSail programs may only be delivered at Sail Canada Member Clubs, Schools and Organizations, which are members of Sail Canada through their Provincial Sailing Association.

They may only be delivered by Registered CANSail Dinghy Instructors who are "Trained" or "Certified" in the appropriate context. Checklists may only be completed, and levels may only be awarded, by Sail Canada Registered CANSail Instructors who are Trained or Certified in the appropriate context.

Sailing programs are responsible for having appropriate insurance for all aspects of their programs and facilities, and Sail Canada Registered Instructors and Coaches receive Instructor Liability Insurance annually.

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, sections 3, 7 and 8.

No. Skills must be assessed on an ongoing basis and should not be performed on a "test day". Sailors must be given opportunities to demonstrate skills over time, and skills already marked "Performing" should be continually assessed to make sure they are maintained.

• Instructors must keep accurate records of the skills attempted and demonstrated, using the CANSail checklists.
• Sailors should receive regular progress reports showing their progress to date and the areas that need further development.
• Each skill on a checklist is rated Developing, Performing or Extending, and a level is achieved when all skills are checked under "Performing Consistently".

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, sections 2 and 4.

Only a CANSail certificate with a seal affixed is authorized proof of proficiency. Certificates are generated through Sail Canada's online participant tracking platform (Checklick). Non-CANSail certificates are not recognized as proof of proficiency, and CANSail checklists and report cards are not replacements for CANSail certificates.

• A certificate must be signed by a registered CANSail instructor with valid certification in the appropriate context, and must include the instructor's name and Sail Canada number.
• Certificates and seals may be given to sailors who are in progress in a level, as long as the certificate clearly says it is for participation, not completion of a level.

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, section 5.

No. Sailor levels do not hold an expiry date. The program guide adds that after a significant gap in training, some skills may deteriorate and need to be re-trained before progressing to more advanced levels.

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, section 5.7.

Yes, in these ways:

• A sailor with previous sailing experience may be assessed by a Registered CANSail Instructor (certified in the appropriate context) to find the level at which to enter the program without completing the earlier levels.
• A student may challenge any CANSail level with a Registered CANSail Instructor certified in the appropriate context. All the skills in that level must be assessed before the level is granted.
• Sailors with certification from other foreign member sailing associations may ask for those levels to be recognized in place of required CANSail levels.
• Sailors may also work on skills from more than one checklist at a time, and may start a new checklist while still working on the previous one.

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, sections 2.3 and 6.

Yes. The program guide says modifications or adaptations can be made for sailors with a disability. There is also a Para stream: CANSail Para 1 to Para 6.

Clubs may also deliver additional content and experiences alongside a CANSail program, but additional content is not required for the issue of CANSail levels.

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, sections 1.1 and 4.5.

All participants in CANSail programs must be reported through Sail Canada's online participant tracking system (Checklick).

Participant fees are collected by each Provincial Sailing Association for each participant who takes part in a Sail Canada program each year. Clubs and schools must know their province's process and the annual fee amount. A portion of the fee is passed on to Sail Canada by the Provincial Sailing Association to support the CANSail program.

Source: Sail Canada CANSail Dinghy Program Guide, April 2025, section 5.