The Mobile Optimist Sailing School is an outreach program designed to bring sailing to communities with the goal of fostering new sailing programs throughout British Columbia. MOSS is a fully equipped program ready to deliver introductory sailing camps at your venue.
Course Details
Mobile Optimist Sailing School - Summer Camps
Cost: $325.00 + tax for each sailor
Dates: 2025 Dates & Locations Registration Opens March 21st, 2025.
*Please note that only our Mainland Trailer is operational this summer. We apologize for the inconvenience. We hope to secure new funding and have both trailers up and running in 2026! Interested in sponsoring the Mobile Optimist Sailing School? Email Delani@bcsailing.bc.ca!
Mainland Dates & Locations:
Click on your desired locations below to register.
Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club Week 1: June 30-July 4, 2025
Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club Week 2: July 7-11, 2025
Nakusp/Arrow Lake Week 3: July 14-18, 2025
Nakusp/Arrow Lake Week 4: July 21-25, 2025
Martha Creek/Revelstoke Week 5: July 28-August 1, 2025
Martha Creek/Revelstoke Week 6: August 4-8, 2025
Martha Creek/Revelstoke Week 7: August 11-15, 2025
Cottonwood Marina/Fort St. James Week 8: August 18-22, 2025
Cottonwood Marina/Fort St. James Week 9: August 25-29, 2025
Course Details: Children will learn the basics of sailing in a unique environment focusing on fun and boating safety. Launching, docking, steering, balancing, and propulsion are just some of the activities covered both on and off the water.
Seven-foot Optimist dinghy sailboats will be used in the program. By the end of the course, students will be able to safely sail on their own under the supervision of an instructor. In addition to these skills, the program develops confidence and leadership in its participants.
No experience is necessary, and you don’t have to be a member of the host club.
Professionally trained and Sail Canada-certified coaches will ensure every experience is a positive one.
Note: the age span for students will vary at some clubs. Locations are ages 7 to 14.
Interested in hosting a MOSS program? Contact Delani@bcsailing.bc.ca for more information.
BC Sailing Mobile Optimist Sailing School (MOSS) graciously acknowledges the continued support and financial assistance provided by Employment and Social Development Canada in support of the MOSS program.
What is an Optimist dinghy?
The Optimist dinghy is a seven-foot sailboat that is excellent for learning basic sailing skills. It’s stable and can accommodate a wide range of child sizes and sailing abilities. It is well accepted as the best design for youth sail training. For these reasons, there are more Optimists than any other sailboat in the world.
How do I register for a course?
Registration including payment is done online for all locations. Please continue to the Summer Camps section of this page. Select the course you wish to register for and follow the directions. Registration can also be found here.
Do participants need to know how to swim?
No, but they should be comfortable in and on the water with a life jacket or PFD.
How many students are there in each summer sailing course?
Minimum 7, maximum 15
How many instructors are there each week?
Typically, there are two BC Sailing instructors plus one local volunteer each week.
What should I bring to the sailing course?
BC Sailing in partnership with your local sailing club will provide all the necessary equipment including life jackets.
The sailors will need to bring:
- water bottle
- lunch
- sunscreen
- hat
- towel
- appropriate clothing for the weather (temperatures on the water are often much cooler than on land)
- closed-toe shoes (e.g. old runners or Aquasocks; shoes should not fall off the feet if sailors go swimming)
- a change of clothes in case they get wet
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation Policy:
- All accepted registrations are subject to a $50 cancellation fee for sailing courses.
- There will be no refunds for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled start date. (Exceptions may be made if the cancellation is due to illness or injury)
- There will be no refunds after the start date for the course with zero exceptions.
What topics are covered in the course?
Below are the PDF descriptions for each course:
Opti Level 1 Course Description
Opti Level 2 Course Description
As students learn new skills, they will receive a stamp on their report card indicating their ability to demonstrate them consistently. When students can demonstrate all skills in the level consistently, they will progress to the next level. Often students will spend more than one week working through a level. This competency-based training system allows students to learn at their own individual pace. All students will learn in the same class no matter what level they are at.