Our programs
Nos programmes
Founded in 1980, the Georgian Bay Sailing Centre (GBSC) is a non-profit organization based in Ottawa. Our goal is to promote and teach sailing at the basic cruising level. We sail on Lac Deschênes on the Ottawa River all summer (out of the CVGR, Aylmer Marina). All our members volunteer their time to serve as skippers, instructors and committee members. For example maintenance of our boats, organize live aboard sailing programs in Georgian Bay or other locations such as Lake Ontario (2008 summer season) and Lake Champlain (2007 summer season).
Thanks to them, their energy and efforts, our Centre is able to offer to all members, well structured programs and some activties, all in a relaxed manner and at a very competitive price.
The GBSC is mainly open to adults of all ages regardless of their sailing experience.
The Centre has the following objectives:
Members participate in scheduled training programs where you may develop sailing skills at your own pace.
We encourage all members to become involved as a volunteer.
Your time is one of our best asset and ensures we continue to offer you the best sailing programs at the most affordable price.
DIFFERENT PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE GBSC:
Descriptions of all our programs including pictures of past and current members, sceneries of what you may expect to see, enjoy and probably want to explore!
For more information, you can contact us by e-mail: info@cnbg.org or by phone (613) 860-CNBG (613 860-2624) or click anytime on our Contact us tab.
TO REGISTER:
To register to any of our programs, you can find our registration package under its own tab and also on Becoming a member tab. It includes a brief descriptions of our programs; dates of our live aboard programs; prices; registration form; consent form; our coordinates, etc.
For your convenience, we've included its direct link: Registration package. You can browse and use it to become a member and register to the program of your choice.
To view this upcoming season's Live aboard sailing program dates and to find out which one is Full or still has room, click on our Live aboard program table. It is updated as registrations are received. It is a first come, first serve basis.
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INTRODUCING OUR SAILBOATS NIKA (Catalina 250) and NAMASTAR (Tanzer 29).
We use them for all our sailing programs in Aylmer.
Pictures of NIKA and NAMASTAR
This program offers an introduction to sailing on Deschênes Lake from Aylmer. We provide one theory session and three pratical on water sessions on the Ottawa River aboard our two sailboats.
This introduction program is especially designed for those with minimal or without any experience. All members take an active role in all on water sessions. Anytime during the summer, the member can join our Sailing in Aylmer program or other programs we offer. Click to view and browse the description of our Initiation program.
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This program offers our members different experiences to learn or improve their sailing knowledge on Deschênes Lake. The sailing season officially begins June 1st and ends end of September, early October. We provide the opportunity for those with or without experience to learn safe sailing techniques aboard our two sailboats.
The on water learning experiences can be structured or not, have a specific theme and are given in a relaxed manner. All members take an active role during all on water sessions. We sail under different types of weather. Some overnight live aboard experiences are planned and the dates will be soon posted.
You will be able to sail as much as you desire (on booking), either during the day, in the evening or during week-ends live aboard programs in our comfortable Tanzer 29 (NAMASTAR) and our Catalina 250 (NIKA).
You will learn the techniques on how to use a sailboat in a safe manner through our experienced volunteer skippers/instructors.
To enhance your sailing experience, come explore our backyard during our overnight Live aboard sailing programs on the Ottawa River. Dates will be determined at a later time. You’ll be able to visit Pinhey’s Point Historic site, Mohr Island, the beaches of Constance Bay, Buckham Bay and anchorages of Pontiac Bay.
Every Wednesday night, we also participate in the regattas that are organized by the CVGR (Centre de voile Grande-Rivière) at the Aylmer marina. The emphasis is not to win, but to learn how to apply rules regarding priorities among other boats, plan ideal routes to reach each mark especially when the wind changes direction, improve your knowledge and techniques on trimming the sails to maximize the boat's sailing performance. A BBQ at the marina awaits all participants.
Pictures of sailing in Aylmer:
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AVAILABLE CERTIFICATIONS
1- CHALLENGING THE BASIC CRUISING EXAM (Standards from the Canadian Yatching Association - CYA)
Program giving you the ability to challenge the CYA Basic Cruising exam (both the theory and the on water practical exams):
Our skippers volunteer to teach members basic cruising skills. You need to be registered in our Sailing all summer in Aylmer or one of our Combined sailing programs to be able to participate in this program.
This will give you the opportunity to challenge the CYA Basic Cruising exam through structured on water sessions.
Since you need to be registered in our Sailing all summer in Aylmer program or one of our Combined sailing programs, you will be able to practice your skills all summer.
A minimal fee (TBD) is required to cover costs of material and certification.
Six of our skippers are qualified CYA Instructors to offer members the opportunity to challenge the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) Basic Cruising Standard exam.
View the CYA website to find out about their different programs: http://www.sailing.ca/learnmore/education/.
Pictures of Nika and its crew during the on water sessions:
2- CHALLENGING THE CYA PLEASURE CRAFT OPERATOR CARD WRITEN EXAM
To reduce the number of boating accidents, the Canadian Coast Guard has introduced new boating regulations that require everyone who operates a pleasure craft powered by an engine to take an accredited boating safety course and successfully pass an approved boating safety test.
Members of GBSC who are registered in the CYA Basic Cruising program we offer, may challenge the written test to obtain their CYA Pleasure Craft Operator Card.
NOTE: A small fee will be required to pay for the material, the exam and the certification.
You'll find more details of the CYA "Spark Start" program on their website http://www.sailing.ca/spark/.
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OTHER PROGRAMS WE OFFER FROM THE AYLMER MARINA (Ottawa River) AND IN OTHER SAILING AREAS:
Training takes place on our keelboats located on the Ottawa River and on bigger chartered boats during some of our live aboard sailing programs.
There is no set time frame for you to become one of our volunteer skipper. You learn at your own pace.
Once you have completed the training, a GBSC Skipper has obligations but also privileges.
Initially you become a skipper in Aylmer. Your training qualify you to sail during the day on NIKA, then at night. You gain experience and you can continue your training to be able to take charge of Namastar.
you sign up on our schedule for the boat you are qualified.
Members contact you to book outings. On the water, you see to the safety of your crew and vessel and offer your knowledge to your crew within the limits of your experience.
As a skipper that volunteers its time, on occasion outside of our peak times, you will be able to take a boat out for your personal use when it is not booked for courses or outings.
Your next step would be to become a skipper on chartered sailboats during our Sailing in other areas. You'll need to have experience sailing as crew in our week long programs before starting your training as skipper on boats we charter.
To become a GBSC Skipper, you need to:
NOTE: Time frame to become a GBSC skipper varies for each member. Members are not obligated to become a skipper.
During your training, we use the GBSC Skipper training check list form to give you feedback, assess the different safety components and skills needed to qualify to safely take charge of our boats and crew.
This process insures we always offer the best sailing learning experiences to our members using safe and efficient techniques.
Pictures of our skipper training while navigating on Champlain Lake (1982):
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NEW FOR OUR 2009 SUMMER SAILING PROGRAMS:
We are offering 1 week live aboard experiences. To view this upcoming season's Live aboard sailing program dates and to find out which one is Full or still has room, click on our Live aboard program table. Dates and prices are also be found on our new 2009 Registration package. You can combine more than 1 program. You can also enjoy our live aboard program for more than 1 week.
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COMBINED LIVE ABOARD SAILING PROGRAMS (Aylmer and other sailing areas):
This program offers our members with or without sailing experiences, the opportunity to learn or improve their sailing knowledge on Deschênes Lake and with our live aboard sailing program.
We provide the opportunity for those with or without experience to learn safe sailing techniques aboard our two sailboats in Aylmer and live aboard experiences on bigger sailboats located in other sailing sites. Georgian Bay is our permanent site and we add other destination.
We added Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan to our 2008 sailing season. Lake Champlain was the new destination we added to our 2007 sailing season. For the up coming 2009 season, we are adding the CYA Intermediate cruising certification in Georgian Bay (additional fee for certification will be required). Please consult our Registration form.
During the live aboard program, all members take an active role in the daily activites of the week long cruise sailing experience, including meals, navigation, anchoring, etc. All in a relaxed learning environment.
To view this upcoming season's Live aboard sailing program dates and to find out which one is Full or still has room, click on our Live aboard program table.
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The Live aboard program takes place outside the Ottawa area, such as Georgian Bay. We added Lake Ontario and Lake Michigan to our 2008 sailing season. We added Lake Champlain during our 2007 sailing season. We are adding the CYA Intermediate cruising certification in Georgian Bay, for the up coming 2009 season.
This program offers the opportunity to learn live aboard sailing on bigger sailboats. To view this upcoming season's Live aboard sailing program dates and to find out which one is Full or still has room, click on our Live aboard program table.
All members take an active role in the day to day (or night time for the more experienced sailor) sailing techniques, including meals, navigation, anchoring,etc. All in a relaxed learning environment.
This program is open to all with or without sailing experiences. It is a great way to enjoy sailing at its best.
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NAVIGATION: techniques and equipments used throughout the years, from the most recent ones to the older ones.
Equipments:
Navigation using charts and landmarks:
MANOEUVRES: the crew is involved in all manoeuvres
MEALS: meals we prepare and savour
Lunches:
Dinners:
BOAT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS: this is done on a regular basis at anchor and even under sail.
Repairing sails and lines:
Sewing:
The lines:
Boat maintenance:
SCENERIES TO DREAM OF:
Wonderful Georgian Bay:
