This course is included at no extra charge in the Basic Cruising Standard.  This course is offered through correspondence or a class setting.  Two versions of correspondence are available.  Do a self-study and then challenge the exam [$75] or do a self-study, have a two hour review prior to the exam [$125].  Course includes the materials and the Card for successful students.  Class settings can be arranged for evenings or weekends [Starting at $85 depending of number of students and sessions.]

BASIC CRUISING -- Theory and practical course for beginners. 

  Next course starts 2009 April 20.  Best savings for early registration.   

There will be a local sailing course offered in Calgary, Alberta starting in 2009 April 20 with the practical on the water portion starting the first week in May.  Same certification as sailing courses at the coast only you make up your own sailing schedule on evenings and weekends.  This leaves your holiday time available for chartering or cruising.  Course cost is $1100 per person all inclusive.  (Includes materials, theory classes and practical on the water classes in Calgary, AB)  As this has booked and been sold out by February in prior years, registration now is critical.  First come, first served.  10% savings ($110) is available for all fully paid registrations prior to February 28th, 2009  (5% or $55 prior to March 15th).  Remember, this course offered only once a year. 

This sailing course is designed to take a student to the level of  the CYA Basic Cruising Standard in moderate wind and sea conditions.  You will learn:  sailing terminology and parts and pieces of the boat; required and recommended equipment; safety; rules of the road; weather; duties of skipper and crew; and good seamanship to make the sport of cruising safe and enjoyable.  The afloat skills involve checking out a boat; maneuvering under power, docking and anchoring; maneuvering under sail; raising; lowering, reefing and furling of the sails; safety techniques for Crew Overboard under power and sail and how to snug the boat down for the night.  The course consists of a minimum of four days and four nights aboard a cruising yacht in coastal waters. It includes food and accommodation and all the materials, exams, practical and certification.  There are no prerequisites and along with the Coastal Navigation course this is considered to be the foundation of being able to charter worldwide.  A Fast-Track Schedule for those that want to cruise in the larger boats by summer involves starting Intermediate Cruising Course in January prior to the Basic in April.  this prior to the Basic in April.  

This navigation course teaches you the theory and practical techniques of navigating in coastal waters.  You will learn how to determine your position, plot and plan your passages, interpret tide and current tables, as well, be introduced to modern electronics navigation instruments and techniques.  The course is taught over a ten week period on Tuesday evenings in the fall or on Wednesday evenings in the Winter.  (The course is also available through a self-study correspondence course.) Course fee includes all the materials, charts, instruments, the exam and the CYA Coastal Navigation Standard certification for those who pass the exam.  It is supplemented with plenty of exercises, cruises and the answers to assist you in achieving this standard.  Soon, there will be a video tape option to assist you.  There are no prerequisites and along with the Basic Cruising course this is considered to be the foundation of being able to charter worldwide.  

  Spring navigation course starts 2009 January 21, Wednesday evenings, 7:00 to 10:00pm.  Register by December 15 to maximize savings. 

Course cost is $495 per person all inclusive.  (Includes materials, charts, instruments and theory classes in Calgary, AB)  Course starts 2009 January 21st.  First come, first served.  Over 10% savings ($50) is available for all fully paid registrations prior to August 15, 2009 (5% or $25 prior to September 1st, 2009).  

GPS & ELECTRONIC CHART SEMINAR -- Introduces GPS techniques and demonstrates some basic Electronic and Charting Software.   A Great Seminar prior to buying that new GPS.    

  Note Change of Date -- Course will run 2008 November 15.   Just in time for an informed decision on a GPS for Christmas!!  

This is a one day seminar usually on a Saturday.   There will be a Dutch treat lunch and seminar will wrap up about 16:00.  Seminar cost will be $125 all inclusive.

 Seminar takes you through the basics of GPS and describes the terminology. You will learn how to enter waypoints and routes.  Shows you how the GPS displays your tracks and how we can use this info.  There will be a discussion of interfacing your  GPS to other instruments and some of the benefits.  There will be a demonstration of using GPS Mapping techniques and some of the software available to tie in the GPS data.  You receive a full set of seminar notes and will participate in an exercise here in Calgary to demonstrate the use of the GPS.  [Some GPS units will be available but participants are urged to bring their own units if they have them.]  Discounts for couples or early registration.

INTERMEDIATE CRUISING -- Makes you comfortable on a cruising yacht.  

This sailing course is designed to take a student to the next level in the  CYA Standards in moderate wind and sea conditions.  Emphasis of this course is on passage planning and learning live aboard skills to make cruising more enjoyable.  You will learn:  passage planning; resources of info for planning;  galley safety and cooking techniques; weather interpretation; seamanship in the event of emergencies; docking, rafting  and anchoring techniques; navigation and piloting; rope handling and splicing; how to sail with the gennaker (cruising spinnaker)  and how to improve your sailing skills.  The course consists of a minimum of four days and four nights aboard a cruising yacht in coastal waters. It includes food and accommodation and all the materials, exams, practical and certification.  Cost ranges between $1200 and $1350 depending on the number of students on the practical portion.  The CYA Basic Cruising Standard is a prerequisite.   CYA Coastal Navigation Standard is an asset.  A Fast-Track Schedule for those that want to cruise in the larger boats by summer involves starting this prior to the Basic in April.  

 Next Course Starts on 2009 January 26. Registrations by November 30 for best savings.

This course takes you to the CYA Advanced Cruising Standard level.  Its emphasis will be on handling a larger cruising boat in all conditions, day and night.  It is designed for those who own or wish to own a cruising yacht.  You will learn and develop skills including:  sail theory; weather forecasting; interpretation of the Collision Regulations; maintenance and boat repair; advanced techniques of seamanship;  how to sail off and onto a dock and off and onto an anchor; advanced Crew Overboard returns and rescues; advanced rope splicing techniques; advanced menu planning and cooking skills; make up and standing of watches; heavy weather tactics; and advanced navigation techniques.  The course consists of a minimum of six days and six nights aboard a cruising yacht in coastal waters. It includes food and accommodation and all the materials, exams, practical and certification.  Prerequisites include CYA Intermediate Cruising Standard, CYA Coastal Navigation Standard, VHF Restricted Radio Operators Certificate and equivalent or Red Cross/St. John's Standard First Aid course.  Cost is dependant on timing and student/instructor ratios.  Starts at $2000.   

This is a Canadian Power and Sail Squadron designed course.  Industry Canada no longer offers this for free.  We have loads of fun with hands on radio practice before the exam and certification. You will learn the proper terminology, radio etiquette and safety techniques to assist you in communication in the marine environment.   A lifetime VHF Restricted Radio Operator's Certificate with DSC endorsement is awarded after you successfully pass the exam. This can be done as an add-on to other courses offered by Wildrose.   There are no prerequisites.  Cost is $145 all inclusive.

 Next class starts October 18, 2008. Still Room, Starts Saturday. (Get on the list, we'll contact you with details).  

INSTRUCTOR (RE)CERTIFICATIONS --For people who wish to share the sport.  

Please refer all your Instructor (Re)Certifications  in Learn to Cruise requirements to the  Alberta Sailing Association (ASA) so that we may coordinate the needs here in the province to fit the majority of the candidates.  As per our annual ASA program, these are normally run in May with the registrations that have been completed by mid-February.   

WHERE ARE THE CLASSES?

HO -- Home Office -- 3232 - 15 Street NW Calgary

CAOC  --  Calgary Area Outdoor Council -- CAOC -- 1111 Memorial Drive NW Calgary

GR --  Glenmore Reservoir - -- Heritage Drive - East of 14 Street SW Calgary

TR --Travers Reservoir -- East of Champion AB [2 hours south of Calgary]

WC -- West Coast -- Out of Sidney BC Most of the time