This sailing program has four levels so sailors and their supporters can gradually build their understanding and skills, while enjoying the sport in a safe and supportive environment.
| Skill Group | Focus | Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Bronze Sailor | Introduction to the sport, our program and facilities. | Completes all course materials. Able to practice safely. |
| Bronze Parent | Introduction to the practice community. | Volunteered to cater at least one post-practice meal per season. |
| Silver Sailor | Introduction to Racing – tier 3 regattas. | Completes all course materials. Able to race safely. |
| Silver Parent | Introduction to the racing community and events. | Volunteered in a role for at least one home regatta event per season. |
| Gold Sailor | Invited/qualified to race in tier 2 (and some Tier 1) regattas. | Attends a minimum 80% of practices. Sailor able to race competitively. |
| Gold Parent | Participation in travel regattas outside of our region. | Volunteered in a role for at least one travel regatta event per season. |
| Platinum Sailor | Invited/qualified to race in tier 1 regattas. | Attends a minimum 90% of practices. Leads their school team in development and/or performance as a team captain. |
| Platinum Parent | Team leadership and/or other official volunteer roles. | Coordinates school team activities as a team manager. |
The curriculum is similar at each level, but a sailor’s skill is refined from season to season, with a greater emphasis on racing tactics, team strategy and leadership. These common foundations are critical, as sailors are expected to compete together as part of a school team once they reach high school age, and many school teams attend practices together.
The parent advances through the levels in parallel with their sailor. While parents do not practice or race, they can choose to follow an abridged version of their sailor’s course on-line, with additional materials to help them volunteer with confidence.
For many, mastering the technical aspects of the sport becomes part of its appeal, but this can be overwhelming for novices. This ‘just enough/just in time’ approach makes the sport much more accessible for new families, and allows busy parents to learn and volunteer away from the water while maintaining a connection to their sailor’s progress and community.