Junior Programs
Confidence, friendships and a lifelong love of sailing — on the water all summer.
Sailing builds self-confidence, develops essential life skills and enhances young people’s wellbeing. Every young person deserves to feel confident, be healthy and know their worth. Sailing gives them the opportunity to find freedom and independence — and one of the biggest lessons it can teach is how to persevere against the odds. Sailing also helps develop other strengths such as responsibility, teamwork, patience and ecological awareness.
The Baie-D’Urfé Yacht Club runs an outstanding Junior Sailing Program. We are not a daycare nor a daycamp, but rather a family-oriented sailing school that offers all-day training and fun for kids of all ages and all levels of sailing experience. We are a smaller, intimate club that fosters a safe and exciting way to spend the summer outdoors — getting fresh air and learning the wonderful skills of sailing and the pleasures that come with them.
More than a sailing school
Our season is built around community: themed Fun Fridays at the club, and an awards night BBQ/potluck dinner at the end of each session to celebrate our sailors’ accomplishments.
Our coaches are all certified sailors and graduates of our own program. They are local, experienced, energetic, entertaining, bilingual — and most of all, they are fun. Come join us for a season of learning, growing, and making lasting friendships and memories.
Important Information — for all junior programs
- Strong swimmer required: safety is our top priority.
- PFDs: must be Transport Canada / Canadian Coast Guard / Fisheries and Oceans Canada approved, properly sized, and worn at all times near the water, on the docks and in boats. The Club provides all the boats — students bring their own PFD.
- Sailor Code of Conduct: students must obey instructors at all times. Unsafe behaviour may result in being sent home for the day; repeat offences may result in expulsion from the school.
- Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 10am–5pm, including statutory holidays. Race team regattas are usually on weekends.
- What to bring: hat, splash-top or waterproof windbreaker, closed-toe water shoes, sweater, towel, bathing suit, waterproof sunscreen, change of clothes, sunglasses. Reusable water bottle, own lunch and snacks. The Club is not peanut-free.
- Certifications: instructors evaluate students to provide CANSail certifications accordingly. All instructors are bilingual.
- Cancellation fee: $250.
Learn to Sail Programs
Opti Learn to Sail
AGES 6–10
An introduction course for our youngest sailors, covering the basic skills needed to sail an Optimist dinghy safely. Typically 2 children per boat. Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm.
CANSail 1 & 2
AGES 8–18
Beginner to intermediate sailing skills on Topaz sailboats. Typically 3–4 sailors per boat. Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm. Sail Canada CANSail 1 and 2 certifications offered at session end.
CANSail 3 & 4
AGES 12+
Advanced techniques: sail trim, trapeze, boat maintenance, boat tuning. Sailed on Club 420 sailboats with 2 sailors per boat. Mon–Fri, 10am–5pm. Sail Canada CANSail 3 and 4 certifications offered at session end.
Race Team
For sailors ready to take their skills to the next level, our race team programs offer competitive training and the chance to represent BDYC at regattas across Quebec and Ontario. Race teams strive to participate in regattas throughout the season — TRY (Pointe-Claire), Fruitbowl (Hudson), CORK (Kingston), C-Cool (Deux-Montagnes), Fall CORK (Kingston).
Race team registration is conditional on approval. Opti racing requirements: sailors must meet minimum size and weight requirements to race Optimist dinghies safely; the Head Instructor will assess readiness during registration.
Opti Green Fleet Race Team
YOUNGEST RACERS
An introduction to racing for our youngest sailors. Builds confidence on the water and teaches the basics of regatta competition in Optimist dinghies. Several local and away regattas (regatta fees not included).
Opti Race Team
COMPETITIVE
Competitive Optimist racing for experienced young sailors. Race tactics, starts, mark rounding and regatta preparation, with several local and away regattas (regatta fees not included).
420 Race Team
ADVANCED
Advanced racing in the Club 420 class. For experienced sailors ready for double-handed racing, spinnaker work and higher-level competition. Several local and away regattas (regatta fees not included).
Additional Race Team Information
- Regattas are typically held on weekends.
- Race team families must be prepared and able to help tow boats and trailers to away regattas (or rent vehicles to do so). Where possible we collaborate with other clubs for boat transfers.
- Regatta registration fees are paid directly by the participant to the hosting club.
- Coaching overtime fees at regattas are paid to BDYC.
- For out-of-town regattas, parents must be present to care for minors during non-regatta hours.
Fees & Schedule — 2026 Main Season
| Course | Weeks per session | Dates | BDYC member | Non-member |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opti Learn to Sail | 2 | Jun 22 – Jul 3 Jul 6 – Jul 17 Jul 20 – Jul 31 Aug 3 – Aug 14 | $725 | $775 |
| CANSail 1 & 2 | 2 | Jun 22 – Jul 3 Jul 6 – Jul 17 Jul 20 – Jul 31 Aug 3 – Aug 14 | $725 | $775 |
| CANSail 3 & 4 | 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 17 Jul 20 – Aug 14 | $1,449 | $1,499 |
| Opti Race Team | 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 17 Jul 20 – Aug 14 | $1,449 | $1,499 |
| 420 Race Team | 4 | Jun 22 – Jul 17 Jul 20 – Aug 14 | $1,449 | $1,499 |
Pre-season and post-season options may be available subject to demand — please contact us. Race team regatta entry fees are paid directly to the host club and are not included above.
Registration
Registration typically opens just after the new year on Checklick. Spaces are limited for safety reasons, so we encourage early sign-up. Check this page for the opening date, or returning families can watch their inbox for our reminder email.
Questions? Email juniorsailing@bdyc.com or headinstructor@bdyc.com.