MOBILE OPTIMIST SAILING SCHOOL (MOSS)

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.

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.

No, but they should be comfortable in and on the water with a life jacket or PFD.

Minimum 7, maximum 15

Typically, there are two BC Sailing instructors plus one local volunteer each week.

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

Yes, there are a limited number of $200 bursaries for each community being offered to families from KidSport to help offset some of the registration fee. Please note bursaries are only available to B.C. residents.

Click here for application info

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.

Below are the PDF descriptions for each course:

Wet Feet Course Description

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.

Cost: $300.00 + tax for each sailor

Dates: 2024 Dates & Locations announced as organized! More Locations coming. Click on the Week/Location below to register.

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 sailboats as well as two-person kayaks 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.

Please note that our program is equipped with Kayaks to utilize as a contingency activity. The primary focus will be on Sailing.

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 15.

Interested in hosting a MOSS program in 2023? 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.