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Discover the exciting facility improvements at our sailing school in Whistler, BC. Join the 'All Hands On Deck' project and be part of the WSA legacy! Facility Improvements Discover the ongoing facility enhancements and projects underway at Whistler Sailing. All Hands On Deck Project WSA is embarking on an exciting journey to enhance its facilities and provide an even better experience for sailing enthusiasts of all ages. With the vision of constructing a deck adorned with a protective cover, we aim to improve our facility and extend its utility. The aim of this expansion plan is the creation of a versatile multi-use area on the north end of the site. This area will not only serve as a sheltered teaching space but also a designated lunch area, fostering a vibrant community atmosphere. To accommodate the growing demand for equipment storage, the space will also be used for additional storage for our sailing equipment. As part of our fundraising initiatives, generous donors can contribute $100 to have their names engraved on a plank, forever becoming a part of the school's legacy. This initiative not only supports our mission but also offers a tangible way for the community to leave its mark on our sailing school! In the short term, we will be focused on raising funds to purchase building materials needed for this project. Be part of the WSA legacy. Buy a plank

Learn how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. Read our Privacy Policy for full details on data practices, third-party services, and user rights. Privacy Policy This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect the personal and non-personal information of visitors and users who access our website and services. 1. Information We Collect Non-Personal Information We may use software tools to measure and collect session information, such as: Page response times Length of visits to certain pages Page interaction details Navigation patterns (how users browse away from a page) IP addresses (used for location targeting) Personal Information When you conduct a transaction through our third-party booking platform (Checkfront), we may collect personal information such as: Your name Email address IP address This information is collected solely for the purposes described in this policy. 2. Why We Collect Your Information We collect personal and non-personal information for the following purposes: To provide and operate our services To offer customer support and technical assistance To communicate with users regarding service updates, promotions, and inquiries To generate aggregated statistical data to improve our services To comply with applicable regulations 3. How We Communicate With You We may contact you to: Respond to inquiries or purchase-related issues Send updates about our company or services Collect fees or resolve billing matters Conduct surveys or request feedback Communication methods may include: Email Telephone 4. Data Storage and Security Our website is hosted on the Wix.com platform. Wix.com provides the tools and infrastructure we use to offer our services. Your data may be stored through Wix.com’s data storage systems and databases. All data is securely stored on servers protected by firewalls and managed by Wix. 5. Third-Party Services Our booking system is powered by Checkfront, a third-party service provider. Any data shared during booking transactions is subject to Checkfront’s own privacy and data security policies. We recommend reviewing their privacy policy for more information on how your data is handled by their platform. 6. Your Consent By using our website or submitting personal information through our services, you consent to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. 7. Updates to This Policy We reserve the right to modify this privacy policy at any time. Changes will take effect immediately upon being posted on our website. If significant changes are made, we will clearly post an update here to keep you informed about: What data we collect How we use it Under what circumstances it may be disclosed We encourage you to review this page regularly. 8. Contact Us If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is used, please contact us at: Whistler Sailing Association, info@whistlersailing.com .

Discover the valued sponsors behind our Sailing School at 5678 Alta Lake Road, Whistler, BC, Canada. Learn about the businesses supporting our mission! Our Sponsors Our organization relies on sponsors for survival, and their support is crucial to our mission. Their generous contributions go beyond finances, providing the foundation for our programs and equipment. We want to express our sincere thanks to our sponsors for their commitment and belief in our cause. With their support, we can continue making a positive impact in our community.

Find out about our sailing school's cancellation policy at 5678 Alta Lake Road, Whistler, BC, Canada. Plan your sailing adventure with peace of mind. Cancellation Policy We understand that plans can change. Cancellations are subject to a $60 administration fee per course. No refunds for cancellations made within 14 days of the scheduled start date. No refunds after the start date for the course. Sorry, no exceptions. Whistler Sailing Association may cancel any courses due to insufficient enrolment or for other reasons beyond its control. In such circumstances, registrants will receive a full refund. Rescheduling to a different week within the same program incurs no additional fees, contingent upon available space during the chosen week. Please note that changes can only be accommodated if space is available. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to providing you with an exceptional experience.

Unlock your full potential with our comprehensive adult course resources at our Whistler-based sailing school. Embrace new challenges and set sail for success! Adult Course Resources Welcome to your Adult Course Resources page - everything you need to confidently prepare for your sailing program. Downloads: CANSail 1-2 Workbook Videos Points of Sail How to Rig Your Pirate sailboat Recovering from a Capsize Breaking down the Tack Sail Trim "Sailing on the bubble" The most important knot in Sailing:The Bowllne Breaking down the Gybe Docking 101 Wind patterns on Alta Lake

Discover the perfect membership for you at our Sailing School in Whistler, BC. From season pass club memberships to Race memberships, find your ideal fit today! Members As a non-profit organization, every person who uses Whistler Sailing must have an active membership. Buy Your Membership Which membership is right for me? Basic Membership Access to WSA programs and facilities. Think of this like your membership to Costco! Racing Membership Includes Basic membership and access to Wednesday Night Racing, including race entry and use of a club boat. Seasons Pass Includes Basic and Racing membership, and the ability to take a Pirate Sailboat within operating hours. Note: a mandatory sailing orientation is required for all new Seasons Pass members. Hobie Wave access Optional "add-on" for Seasons Pass members, which includes access to the Hobie Wave fleet during operating hours. Boat Storage Boat Storage is available on a first come first served basis for sailing dinghies under 16 feet in length. Due to the limited space on site and the width of our boat ramp we do not offer any storage for multihulls. Wing Foil Locker Wing Foil gear lockers are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Each locker measures 182cm in height, 44cm in depth, and 80cm in width. Membership Rules Members must be checked out on proper and safe handling of the boat. They are also given a tour of the facilities and taken through club procedures for booking the boats, reporting issues, launching and returning boats. Members must be 19 years of age or older. Members shall accept full responsibility for the safety of all guests while using WSA boats. Members are only allowed to sail with guests or friends during club events, such as Wednesday night races or Supervised Sail sessions. Office staff must be present when guests are visiting with members. Guests must pay appropriate fees to participate and sign a waiver. Family membership includes immediate family only (parents and kids). Relatives (including Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, etc) are subject to paying the appropriate fees. Docking at any other docks/beaches on Alta Lake other than WSA docks is not permitted with club boats. Members are not to use the facilities outside of club operating hours. WSA reserves the right to adjust these hours based on operational needs. All users of WSA facilities and equipment must sign a waiver. Membership Rules Member Agreement To accept responsibility for any injury, loss of equipment or damage to the boat during his/her use. To volunteer a minimum of 8 hours to assist in either boat maintenance, club administration or events. To report any loss or damage by phone or email within 2 hours after boat-use. To follow WSA procedures for boat preparation, launching, docking, sailing and return of the boat & equipment. To abide by the WSA and Coast Guard safety regulations (wear a life jacket, take paddle, bailer, bow-painter.) To make a reservation for boat use through the correct channel. To accept all responsibility for injuries or death caused to others, damage or loss of equipment caused by the member to others or others’ boats, equipment or property. To follow club operating hours. To abide by WSA safety protocols when using WSA facilities or equipment. Members Orientation Season Pass Members Skill Assessment and Orientation You must book a skill assessment/orientation sail with us for the Seasons Pass membership. These sessions are an assessment of your skills. You will also be given an orientation of the club facilities and procedures. These sessions are 60 minutes long, please come prepared to sail. The cost for these sessions is $60 and is non-refundable. To schedule your orientation, contact our coaching team at info@whistlersailing.com or by phone at 604-229-2291. In your email please write in the subject line Sailing Assessment Required. Please give us a brief overview of your sailing experience and skills. Upon successful completion of the Sailing Assessment session, you will be permitted to take the club Pirate sailboats out on your own. If your skills are not at the standard, the $60 checkout fee can be applied to an adult course or private lesson offered by WSA. All skippers can expect to be tested on the following; boat rigging and de-rigging boat launching docking boat retrieval 30 min of sailing club policies and rules storage procedures responsibilities of the Seasons Pass members liability and responsibility Volunteering for members The Whistler Sailing Association is a community, as such we ask you to volunteer throughout the year to keep membership fees down and to continue providing high quality facilities and a family friendly environment. All members are encouraged to volunteer to assist with the maintenance of the equipment, events and activities. Each year we would like to see you volunteer approximately 8 hours. Volunteer opportunities include attending and helping with the annual boat launch, RMOW pitch in day, annual BC Circuit Regatta, Boat haul out and other events. Thank you in advance for your help and support. Was this page helpful? 👍 👎 Thanks for the feedback! Submit feedback

Join the WSA Race Team at our Sailing School in Whistler, BC! Learn from expert coaches and take part in thrilling racing initiatives. About the WSA Race Team Joining a sailing race team can be an exhilarating and rewarding experience for a young individual. The race team offers a dynamic and multifaceted experience that not only satisfies the desire for adventure but also cultivates a range of valuable life skills. Training commenced in September, with the team gathering every Sunday to ready themselves for the Pumpkin Bowl Regatta in Vancouver. The fleet comprises of Optis, ILCA Laser Radial and 4.7 boats. Book Now Race Team Coaches CANSail-accredited sailing instructors coach the race team. Meet them below! Jeffrey Baird Head Coach James Cannon Race Team Coach

Discover exciting employment opportunities at WSA Sailing School in Whistler, BC. Join our team as a sailing instructor or wing foiling instructor and enjoy the best job Whistler has to offer! Working with WSA Spend the summer doing the best job in Whistler! WSA offers CANSail-accredited summer camps for kids and teens, as well as adult courses, learn to wing foil and racing clinics for our members. We are looking for passionate and experienced instructors to lead both our sailing and wing foiling programs, helping students develop their skills while fostering a love for being on the water. WSA is located on Alta Lake in Whistler, BC, beneath Blackcomb and Whistler Mountain. Alta Lake acts as a funnel from notoriously windy Squamish, resulting in a regularly timed thermal wind hitting WSA shores every day. It’s very rare for sailing or wing foiling to be canceled due to lack of wind. If you have a passion for coaching, strong sailing or wing foiling skills, and the certifications to back them up, we’d love to hear from you! Please contact us if you think you would be a fit for our team. Get in Touch Sailing Instructor WSA is always looking for mature and experienced individuals to run the Kids & Youth Sailing Camps and Adult programs for the season. Candidates will have: Sail Canada certified or equivalent (courses available in Vancouver) Have experience teaching sailing to adults and/or kids Hold a current Emergency First Aid with CPR certification (i.e. through St. John’s Ambulance, Red Cross, etc.) or equivalent Valid Pleasure Craft Operators Card (PCOC) and hold an authorized boat rescue certificate Demonstrates qualities including (but not limited to): safety awareness, flexibility, time management, and leadership If you think you will be a fit for our team, please contact Francois Hebert, General Manager at info@whistlersailing.com . Wing Foil Instructor Whistler Sailing is always on the lookout for passionate, adventurous individuals who are the right fit for our growing team. We're currently expanding our Wing Foiling program and are excited to welcome new team members who are eager to share their skills and enthusiasm for this exciting sport. Certified wing foiling instructors are few and far between, so if you’re confident on the foil and love teaching, we’d love to hear from you. No formal wing foiling teaching experience? No problem — we work with the Wing Foil Instructors of Canada to provide training. Experience in sailing, watersports, or coaching other sports is a strong asset, as is comfort operating a motorboat. If you’re ready to spend your summer on the water and help others discover the thrill of wing foiling, reach out — the right fit makes all the difference. Ideal candidates will have: Intermediate to Advanced wing foiling skills Experience teaching adults and youth, ideally in wind or water sports Strong communication and leadership abilities A passion for outdoor education and community engagement Required certifications (or willing to obtain prior to start): Emergency First Aid with CPR (St. John’s Ambulance, Red Cross, or equivalent) Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) Boat rescue course (can be acquired with our support) Bonus skills (assets): Experience operating powerboats Sailing or watersport coaching background Flexibility, reliability, and a strong safety mindset This is a unique opportunity to join a supportive team, gain experience in a growing sport, and enjoy one of Canada’s most beautiful alpine lakes. Wing Foil Job Anchor Meet the people that make it happen. Behind every sail, there’s a story. Meet our team Are you a fit? We want to hear from you! info@whistlersailing.com

Learn how to prepare for your sailing adventure including what to wear, what to bring and what to expect. How to prepare for your sailing adventure Please bring the following items: Lunch, water and snacks. The re is no food available on site. Ha t Sunscre en Towe l Dry change of clothes Old sneakers or water shoes. Shoes must be closed toe and heel. Flip flops are not allowed! Bathing su it Clothes appropriate for the weather of the day. Outdoor classrooms are often used Wind breaker or waterproof jacke t Helmet and life jacket (provided by WSA if you do not have your own ) Required Equipment At Whistler Sailing, sailing participants are required to wear a helmet and life jacket at all times. Please feel free to bring your own if you have them. Please note the helmet will get wet. Please submit the below before your first day of camp Child Release Permission Form - submit onsite Minor Waiver Where to meet Kids and Youth Summer camps start at 9am and finish at 3:30pm Drop off and pick up is at the Whistler Sailing location , 5678 Alta Lake Road. The entrance to the facility is the staircase in the South East corner of the parking lot and across the train tracks. Still have a question? Get in touch 604-229-2291 info@whistlersailing.com

Join us at Whistler Sailing’s Wing Slalom! Experience thrilling wing foiling races on Alta Lake, followed by a fun après gathering to connect with the local wing foiling community. All are welcome - come join the action! Alta Lake Wing Slalom August 23rd, 5-5:30pm | Alta Lake Whistler Sailing is gearing up to host its next WSA Wing Slalom on Saturday, August 23rd, with racing kicking off between 5:00–5:30pm. Register Now Course Diagram Questions? info@whistlersailing.com See you then!

Discover the rich legacy of sailing on Alta Lake-from early 1900s adventures at Rainbow Lodge to the vibrant community spirit of the Whistler Sailing Association today. Explore a century of wind-powered passion, local traditions, and bold innovation on Whistler’s iconic waters. History of sailing on Alta Lake Origins: A century of wind and water Before Whistler became a ski mecca, Alta Lake was the heart of summer adventure. In 1914, Myrtle and Alex Philip purchased 10 acres on the lake’s west side and founded Rainbow Lodge. Boating, fishing, and hiking were the core attractions—and yes, even back then, sailing was in the mix. You can see Alex Philip sailing in a 1935 video , gliding through waters right where Whistler Sailing Association stands today. Why Alta Lake? The southerly thermal winds and breathtaking mountain backdrop make Alta Lake an ideal venue for wind-powered sports. It offers consistent afternoon breezes and safe, freshwater conditions -perfect for beginners and pros alike. The Alta Lake Sailing Club (1966) On May 1, 1966, the Alta Lake Sailing Club (ALSC) was formed, bringing together enthusiasts to enjoy the lake's prevailing southerly winds. Operating out of Cypress Lodge, the club hosted events like the Jelly Fish Races and the annual "Regretta," a playful nod to the end-of-summer blues. The club's charter emphasized camaraderie over competition - a spirit that WSA continues to uphold today. Alta Lake Sailing Club Charter "Let it be known to all that on the first day of May, 1966 the Alta Lake Sailing Club was formed to bring together all those who would enjoy the prevailing southerly on Nature’s Jewel in the shadows of the great giants. Only a happy heart may sail in our Ranks—This being the foremost requirement. Competition shall be second to friendship brought about by a common bond. Club commodore will be elected each September and will appoint able assistants and plan the activities of the following season. A master log of all activities shall be maintained and be passed on to his or her successor." The Windsurfing Wave: 1975–1990s Windsurfing caught wind in Whistler in the late 1970s, turning Alta Lake into a summer hotspot for board enthusiasts. The first windsurf board was introduced to the lake by Mark Dufus in 1975, and from there, it was full sail ahead. By 1981, the sport was booming. Two local businesses, Whistler Windsurfing and Blackcombe Sports, offered rentals, lessons, and even club memberships through the Blackcombe Boardsailing Club. The lake buzzed with activity - from weekly races in the Whistler Windsurfing Summer Series to major events like the BC Windsurfing Championships. Whistler’s shores saw more than just local competitors. Jinny Ladner and Andrew Stoner, both community mainstays, earned spots at the 1981 Windsurf World Championships in Okinawa. The Whistler Fall Festival’s “Great Waters Race” even featured windsurfing as one leg of a team relay-though sometimes the wind didn’t show up and paddles had to. Though windsurfing waned in the late 1990s, it left a lasting legacy of adventure and innovation on Alta Lake - one that’s now being reborn with wing foiling. The rise of Whistler Sailing Association (2008–Present) In 2008, a passionate group of Whistler locals founded the Whistler Sailing Association (WSA) to reconnect the community with its natural playground—Alta Lake. What started as a grassroots effort soon grew into a certified sailing school nestled at Cypress Lodge, now shared with The Point Artist-Run Centre. With a mission to make sailing accessible to all, WSA offers programs for every level and age—from first-timers to seasoned racers. WSA was incredibly lucky to cross paths with Dave Patterson from the RMOW. Dave, a windsports enthusiast, shared the vision of the club and helped move WSA to its present site - one which offers excellent launching and natural harbour protection from the wind. The founding board was led by President Patrick McCurdy, whose vision and drive helped lay the groundwork for the organization’s early success. In 2011, Francois Hebert joined as Head Coach, bringing a dynamic mix of coaching expertise, community energy, and program-building momentum that helped WSA solidify its reputation as a premier sailing hub. Key Milestones 2008: Whistler Sailing Association founded as a nonprofit 2007-2010: Mobile Optimist Sailing School comes to Whistler 2011: Establishing of Sailing School in its current form 2011: Hosted the first Tasar Class Regional Regatta 2012: Hosted the BC Optimist Championships 2013: First Annual BC Circuit Regatta 2013: WSA acquires Fleet of Pirates 2015: New dock system built 2017: Over 1000 participants come through the door 2020: Sailing is somewhat Covid proof - summer camps still take place 2023: WSA Race Team created 2024: Introduced wing foiling lessons Be Part of the Legacy Whether you want to learn to tack, foil, or race, Whistler Sailing Association welcomes you aboard. Come sail with us -and ride the wind like those who’ve loved this lake for over a century. Looking Ahead The future at Whistler Sailing Association is powered by wind, community, and bold ideas. As we continue expanding our programs, we’re not just teaching skills; we’re shaping the next generation of lake stewards and water lovers. Our vision includes growing our fleet, enhancing our lakeside facilities, and deepening our role as a hub for outdoor education in Whistler. Whether you’re six or sixty, a first-time sailor or a seasoned racer, WSA is charting a course where everyone has a place on the water.

Discover the thrill of sailing with our adult programming at the Sailing School. From private lessons to adult courses, set sail on Alta Lake in Whistler, BC. Adult Programing Whether you are just starting your sailing journey or a seasoned sailor, let Whistler Sailing help you meet your goals. Adult Sailing Courses Discover the art of sailing with Whistler Sailing! Our certified instructors provide comprehensive instruction in fundamental sailing skills within a fun and safe environment. The course covers essential topics such as water safety, rigging, knots, seamanship, and basic sailing maneuvers. Participants engage in teamwork and leadership activities as they learn both skippering and crewing the boat. The course maintains a ratio of 6 participants to 1 instructor, ensuring personalized attention. The structured course consists of 4 sessions, each lasting 3 hours, totalling 12 hours of instruction. Sessions take place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 5-8 pm. Book Now Boat Charters Guided Sailing Tours Was this page helpful? 👍 👎 Thanks for the feedback! Submit feedback