Pinawa Sailing School – Summer 2026

The Pinawa Sailing Club is excited to announce the return of the Sail Manitoba Mobile Sailing School for Summer 2026.

This year’s program will run during the third week of July (13-17) leading into the Pinawa Birthday Weekend Regatta and will include introductory youth sailing, certified instruction, and a full weekend of training and racing activities.

Whether you are completely new to sailing or looking to build your skills, the program is designed to be welcoming, affordable, and fun.

FREE Learn to Sail evening (Wednesday July 15)

Curious about sailing? Come give it a try!

Join us for a free introductory evening on the water and discover what sailing is all about. Whether you’ve always wanted to learn or you’re simply looking for a new summer activity, this is the perfect opportunity to experience sailing in a fun, relaxed, and supportive environment.

During the evening you’ll:

• Learn the basics of sailing
• Help rig a sailboat
• Practice basic boat handling
• Learn essential water safety
• Meet members of the Pinawa Sailing Club
• See our fleet and learn about upcoming programs

No previous sailing experience is necessary. Please bring your own PDF.

Stay afterwards to watch or join our regular Wednesday Club Sail Night and see what sailing in Pinawa is all about.

The learn to sail evening runs from 5pm to 8:30pm on Wednesday July 15.

Women and Girls Sailing Experience (Thurs July 16 and Fri July 17)

Discover the freedom of sailing.

Have you ever imagined gliding across the lake powered only by the wind? Sailing is peaceful, rewarding, and surprisingly accessible. And there’s no better time to give it a try.

This two-day introductory course is designed specifically for women and girls who want to learn in a fun, welcoming, and supportive environment. You’ll learn the fundamentals of sailing while building confidence on the water with experienced instructors and plenty of hands-on practice.

Whether you’re looking for a new hobby, quality time with your daughter, a fun weekend with a friend, or simply a chance to challenge yourself and enjoy the outdoors, this course is for you.

We have boats for children ages 8–13 (Optis and prams) as well as RS Zest sailboats that can comfortably accommodate one or two adults, making it perfect for mother-daughter pairs, friends, sisters, or individuals.

Come experience the simple joy of catching the wind.

No previous sailing experience is required.

CANSAIL 1 & 2 Certification

Ready to take your sailing to the next level?

Our CANSail 1 & 2 program is designed for sailors who have some previous experience and are ready to build confidence, improve their skills, and work toward nationally recognized Sail Canada certification.

This three-session course is ideal for:

• Pinawa Sailing Club or other club members
• Returning participants from last year’s sailing school
• Sailors with basic sailing experience looking to advance their skills

Participants will receive instruction from Sail Manitoba certified instructors and will work on the practical skills and knowledge required to achieve CANSail Level 1 or Level 2, depending on their experience and demonstrated ability.

Track A

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday
12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Track B

Monday & Tuesday
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Thursday
12:00 PM – 3:30 PM

Throughout the course, sailors will develop skills in:

• Boat rigging and preparation
• Sail trim and boat handling
• Points of sail
• Tacking and gybing
• Docking and launching
• Safety procedures and seamanship
• Wind awareness and decision-making

Whether your goal is to become a more confident recreational sailor or to begin racing, CANSail provides the foundation for a lifetime on the water.

Pinawa Birthday Weekend Regatta

The sailing school will lead directly into a major regatta weekend hosted by the Pinawa Sailing Club.

Events will include:

• Saturday training clinic with the Manitoba Opti Team Coach
• Sunday regatta racing
• visiting sailors from other Manitoba clubs
• participation in the new Manitoba Opti travelling series

We are also working with sailors and clubs from West Hawk Lake and Falcon Lake to build stronger regional sailing connections in the Whiteshell.

Registration Information

STEP 1: Fill out this form: SAIL MANITOBA SAILING SCHOOL FORM

STEP 2: Email the form to mgk.pinawa@gmail.com. Put PINAWA SAILING SCHOOL in the subject line. In the email please include the participants names and ages. Important: Choose your preference to be in Track A or Track B, Wednesday intro session, or the Women and Girls sessions. Note that space is subject to availability.

STEP 3: Cost for CANSAIL (3 lessons) is $80. Cost for ICANSAIL Women and Girls is $40 (2 lessons). E-transfer payment to pinawasailing.rowingclub@gmail.com. Put SAILING SCHOOL in the message field.

(SailMB or Sail Canada members may be eligible for a discount. If you are a SailMB member, let me know in the email with your registration.)

For questions or to express interest, contact:

Michael King
Commodore – Pinawa Sailing Club

Volunteers & Sponsors

Community volunteers and sponsors are an important part of making the sailing school successful. If you are interested in helping with instruction support, safety boats, event setup, fundraising, or sponsorship opportunities, we would love to hear from you.

A huge thank you to the Pinawa Foundation for their generous grant in support of the Pinawa Sailing School. This support helps keep the program affordable and sustainable.

We look forward to seeing new and returning sailors on the water this summer.

2025 Sailing School Recap

This year’s sailing school was a huge success. With support from Sail Manitoba, coaches Olivia and Andrew joined us for a weekend of instruction and fun. They brought along a fleet of boats, including an RS Zest and six prams, which gave participants hands-on experience learning how to sail.

We had over 20 participants, ranging from children as young as seven to adults rediscovering sailing or trying it for the first time. The first day brought calm, perfect conditions for beginners, while the second day’s stronger winds gave everyone a chance to test their new skills. It was amazing to see the kids confidently sailing their own boats by the end of the weekend.

In addition to the lessons, we hosted a club social where participants and members got together for rides on keelboats, a swim, and a bonfire by the shore. It was the perfect way to wrap up the weekend and bring our sailing community together.

Why Join?

• Learn from certified Sail Manitoba coaches
• Get hands-on experience with a variety of sailboats
• Open to kids, teens, and adults – no experience needed
• Build confidence, skills, and friendships on the water
• Connect with a welcoming sailing community

Stay Connected

The sailing school is just one part of a growing renaissance at the Pinawa Sailing Club. If you’d like to get involved, whether through lessons, crewing on keelboats, or simply joining our socials, we’d love to meet you.

Questions? Reach out to us anytime – and keep an eye on this page for updates about next year’s program!