Who Are We

Who Are We?

Wildrose Charters and Sailing School has been operating for 20 years and is the longest operating Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) Learn to Cruise (LTC) Member School in Alberta. Situated in Calgary and established in 1985 by Dave Layton, the school offers CYA Certifications to students and instructors in several LTC Standards. Having taught over 25 years in the LTC program, the school has had over 1800 graduates in Basic Cruising, Coastal Navigation, Intermediate and Advanced Standards. Students have used their training and certification to charter and cruise in all corners of the world. Several graduates have gone on extensive offshore trips.

In August of 2000 Cap'n Dave and his mate, Brenda set off on their own offshore adventure which you can read about in the newsletter, 'Between the Sheets'. August 2001 we brought Good Idea back into the superb cruising waters from Victoria south into Puget Sound and north to Alaska. You are welcome to join them for further training or for outright relaxing in all the exotic ports of call throughout their passage from Olympia, Washington to Port McNeill, BC. This includes the San Juan Islands, Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound and Johnston Strait.

Introductory courses are offered in Calgary with the more advanced courses at the west coast. Join the Cap'n and Brenda for training or for a wonderful relaxing cruise. For more details on timing and on the availability of course you can see the Cruising Venues. For more details on Courses or Chartering click on.

Instructor courses have been referred to the Alberta Sailing Association (ASA) and Sandy Keith the Albertan LTC Instructor Evaluator and are available on as needed basis.

Cap'n Dave

Dave Layton has been a CYA LTC Instructor since 1977 and is well respected in the boating community both in Calgary and at the west coast. He served as the Alberta Learn to Cruise Representative for over 18 years and served as the Prairie Representative on the National Learn to Cruise Committee for over 12 years. Starting off small with a 9 'lanteen rigged Sea Snark, Cap'n Dave soon decided he wanted something drier for Alberta Lakes. In 1975 he invested in a 21'Clipper sloop and in 1976 stepped up to a twin keel 23' Clipper. Dave started training with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron and became a lifetime member through his efforts there as an instructor and Training Officer for many years. In 1977, at the inception of the LTC programs in Alberta, Dave became a Basic Cruising Instructor. In 1985, Wildrose Charters and Sailing School was started in an effort to support Dave's nasty habit and his new Yamaha 35' sloop, Good Idea. By this time, Dave was well established as an Instructor in the LTC programs and was an Instructor Evaluator training the Alberta Instructors as well as students. Dave retired from Shell Canada as a research chemist in 1994 and has spent the last 9 years making charterers and students happy. His personal certification includes the CYA Instructor Evaluator Standard allowing him to instruct up to and including Advanced Cruising Instructors, Offshore Standard, Celestial Standard, and Coastal Navigation Instructor. With over 25 years of cruising experience at the west coast and extensive charter operations, Dave and his wife, Brenda, are now ready to share their coastal and offshore adventures with all those that have asked for charters in blue water locations. See their Cruising Venues and find out where you would like to sign on.

Brenda Wallace

Brenda has been married and putting up with the Cap'n for over 25 years. With extensive cruising experience and CYA Certification in Basic, Intermediate, Coastal Navigation and Celestial Navigation Standards she is an excellent mate for the Good Idea. A (semi- ha ha) retired school teacher, Brenda has a keen interest in following the dream that Cap'n Dave has sent so many students forth on and has been talking about since them met in 1978.

'Now is the time to cast off and make our own memories,' says Cap'n Dave and Brenda. Why not get involved and share the experience.

Wildrose Charters & Sailing School

3232 - 15 Street NW Calgary, AB Canada T2L 0K1

Or phone: (403) 289 5772

Or E-mail: svgoodidea@telus.net