Sailing Courses: From Beginner to Advanced in 2 years

It has been just over 2 years since we purchased our first sailboat. There has been a great deal of growth over those 2 years, as we have gained confidence and learned more and more every time we venture out. One thing that has accelerated our learning has been doing on the water courses.

The first course we did in 2024 was Sail Canada’s Basic Cruising Standard Course, where we sailed 90 nautical miles from Sooke to Sidney Spit and back. In 2025, we went 115 nautical miles Comox to Desolation Sound through International Sailing and Power Academy’s (ISPA) Competent Crew and Day Skipper certification.

We just completed our third course, which was ISPA’s Advanced Skipper and Coastal Navigation with Spinnaker and Night Sailing designation. It was a week sailing, approximately 225 nautical miles on the east side of Vancouver Island, North of Desolation Sound. Our week looked like this:

1. Comox to Von Donop Inlet (anchor)
2. Von Donop to Toba Wilderness Marina (dock)
3. Toba Wilderness Marina to Walsh Cove (anchor)
4. Walsh Cove to Blind Channel (dock)
5. Blind Channel to Campbell River Marina (dock)
6. Campbell River Marina to Comox (dock)

This trip involved planning our departures and speed based on the strong currents in the area, which must be timed at slack to avoid unsafe passage. We used a Spinnaker for the first time which was a great experience, and learned a great deal around instruments and technology onboard.

These trips are always a rollercoaster. There are amazing days, and there are challenging days, where you feel like you just can’t seem to get anything right. You have to learn the ins and outs of somebody elses boat, but also get to know the instructor and their teaching style.

It is rewarding nonetheless, and we got back to our boat with a renewed sense of confidence and excitement for what’s to come. If anything, these courses remind us of our dream and what we are capable of. They remind us how much we love sailing, in the best of times and worst of times. It’s all worth it, being out on the water and getting to experience what this beautiful place has to offer.

Now, to get our on our boat and enjoy this upcoming season! We have some very exciting trips visiting places we have not yet been, and going back to some favorites.

-Keel x