FAQ’S
If you have another question not answered here, please contact us at laytondb@me.com and we can discuss it.
1. Why do the Sail Canada [CYA] Learn to Cruise Standards make sense?
2. Why should I take a course in Calgary versus the West Coast?
3. Why does your Coastal Navigation course cost more than others?
4. Which course should I take first?
5. I have certification from another boating association. Is it recognized by Sail Canada?
6. I have a lot of experience or own my own boat so where should I begin?
7. Can you combine courses for two people at different levels?
8. Can I speed things up and get my certification quicker? [Fast Track Certification]
9. What is your privacy policy?
FAQ’s Answers
1. Q. Why do the Sail Canada [CYA] Learn to Cruise Standards make sense?
Answer: Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) Learn to Cruise (LTC) Standards are recognized world wide. As part of the International Sailing School Association, CYA certification is equivalent to that from Britain, United States, Australia, etc. and allows you to charter world-wide. Home
2. Q. Why should I take a course in Calgary versus the West Coast?
Answer: Wildrose courses have the exact same Learn to Cruise certification as you obtain in courses in Halifax, Hamilton or at the west coast. Our courses including the Basic Cruising and Coastal Navigation courses are designed to obtain the Learn to Cruise certification and, being a national standard, are recognized not only across Canada but Internationally as well. Several charter outfits in Canada and Internationally recognize the high caliber of students coming out of Wildrose and students have no difficulty in obtaining more experience or chartering. In Calgary we always have wind and so students get a well rounded Basic Cruising course. Although Wildrose offers the Basic Cruising course at the coast, sometimes a Pacific High comes in and the period you book may have very light airs. Because we teach over a six week period in Calgary where you make up your own schedule over evenings and weekends, you will end up with exposure to light to some heavy and gusting winds. The schedule in Calgary is so flexible that you do not have to use your vacation time or take time off to obtain the exact same standard and you save the transportation or airfare to take the course in another venue. You can then use your vacation to get more experience, take a higher level course or go on a charter at the coast or in International cruising areas. After the Basic Cruising course, students can obtain more experience through chartering 'Soryu', our 23 foot training vessel, right here in Calgary and build their skills towards future advanced courses or for chartering. Home
3. Q. Why does your Coastal Navigation course cost more than others?
Answer: Wildrose Charters and Sailing School Coastal Navigation Course has a proven track record getting more students recognized certification in as little as four to six weeks. You make up your own schedule after the introductory evening where you obtain the instruments, charts, notes, exam and all that is required to successfully pass the standard. This allows students to absorb all the material at their own pace. It includes our online services, at least one in class evening as well as the review just prior to the National Exam. As I was responsible for the Nav Standards across Canada while I served on the Learn to Cruise Committee, I have consistently had one of the highest pass rates and the highest class average on the national exam. It is like having a private tutor, I want you to be successful.
4. Q. Which course should I take first?
Answer: The two foundation courses of the Sail Canada’s Learn to Cruise Standards are the Basic Cruising Standard and the Basic Coastal Navigation Standard. Neither of them have prerequisites. If you want to cruise, especially at the west coast, you really need both. It doesn't matter which order you complete these courses. Basic is only taught once a year in the spring from April through June. Basic Navigation is available in January or September. Students that have finished these two Standards have gone out and chartered up to a 30 foot sailboat right away, in Greece, Bahamas and at the west coast. Home
5. Q. I have certification from another boating association. Is it recognized by CYA?
Answer: CYA only recognizes certification from other International Sailing School Associations in Europe, Britain, USA, etc. This allows you access to the more advanced courses in our programs. We do have a cross over with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron and they also recognize our standards. No other associations are recognized at this time. Home
6. Q. I have a lot of experience or own my own boat so where should I begin?
Answer: You can challenge the Sail Canada Learn to Cruise Standards at any level depending on the Sailing School. This can be discussed and a challenge at an appropriate level can be set up. People with their own boats or extensive experience usually challenge at the Intermediate Cruising Standard. Should you not be successful at that level it is recommended that you start at a more basic course. Basic/Intermediate Coastal Navigation can be challenged if you have Canadian Power and Sail Squadron Advanced Piloting. Home
7. Q. Can you combine courses for two people at different levels?
Answer: In all fairness, courses are designed for each level and are quite comprehensive. Students taking the Intermediate level would find it difficult to complete the Standard in the allotted time if they had to wait for students at the Basic level to catch up. On the other hand, the Basic level students may be overwhelmed by the Intermediate level material and performance objectives. Sail Canada’s policy does not allow for them to be marketed together. Wildrose's Basic course has 12 hours of theory and an average of 21 hours on the water and can be obtained totally in Calgary area so you don't need to take vacation or time off to complete it. The Intermediate course has 3 evenings of theory in Calgary and 4 days on the water training at the coast. We do offer a fast track certification for those that want to get both standards quickly. [See Fast Track Certification.] Home
8. Q. Can I speed things up and get my certification quicker? [Fast Track Certification]
Answer: Fast Track Certification is available for people that want to complete both the Basic and Intermediate Cruising Standard so they can charter larger boats right away. They take the Intermediate Cruising theory, Basic Cruising theory, the Basic Cruising Afloat and then the Intermediate Cruising Afloat. This can be accomplished starting in January and completed by July. Combined with doing a fall or winter Coastal Navigation Courses, you can have it all in as little as a six month period. Home
9. Q. What is your privacy policy?
Answer: Wildrose uses your email address, date of birth and other personal information strictly for internal purposes and does not share any information. There is no obligation for requesting information. Requesting information or registration in a course will put you only on our mailing list and provide you with information on upcoming courses and specials. You can be removed from our mailing list at any time. People that take courses and charter with us have provided us with photos and comments which we publish on our web with their permission. No last names or personal info is put on the web.