sailboat racing victoria bc

Location: Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, 2940 Jutland Road, Victoria BC

August 24-25, 2024

Welcome | Registration for 2024 | 2023 Race Results | Volunteers | Team Check-in | Race Course | Paddlers’ Village | Race Management | Accommodations | Waterfront Outfitters | Amenities | Parking | Sponsors and Community

Welcome to the 2024 Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival

The Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival combines the best that Victoria has to offer – a great race venue, an experienced race management team, and a full line-up of entertainment, food, family activities and dragon boat cultural events.

2022 photo credits: Ian Faris

The event’s unique selection of race formats will challenge recreational and competitive teams alike: A “ pentathlon ” format: a cumulative weekend of racing: 500m, 200m, 100m, our famous flag relay, and a show-stopper guts and glory followed by a final 500 for the top 3 finishing women’s and mixed teams. 

The 2024 VIDBF will entertain, challenge and delight local, regional and visiting teams across competitive and recreational divisions with a number of paddler-centered innovations, including:

• Our “ pentathlon ” format: a cumulative weekend of racing: 500m, 200m, 100m, our famous flag relay, and a show-stopper guts and glory followed by a final 500 for the top 3 finishing women’s and mixed teams.
• All participating teams — with the exception of the top three women’s and mixed teams — will be awarded medals based on their cumulative final ranking, based on B, C, D, E, F (and so on) cumulative standings in progressions of gold, silver and bronze. In other words, after removing the top 3 finishing teams in each division (women’s and mixed), all teams will be awarded from fastest cumulative times through slowest in sequences of gold, silver, bronze (Rank B) followed by gold, silver and bronze (Rank C), and so on until all teams have received medals. 
• The top three womens and mixed teams will compete for placement in an A final: first past the finish line will win A-final Gold, second past the finish line will receive A-final Silver, and third will win Bronze. 
• Site-wide cultural, entertainment and amenities, including international foods, stage performances and family-oriented amusements
• Enhanced festival amenities including paddlers’ village 10×10 tents for all teams (as well as club paddles and PFDs for athletes without personal equipment) in addition to Canadian Springs water on tap and plenty of parking and washroom facilities
• Early Bird (up to April 15): $1200 including GST
• Regular (after April 15): $1600 including GST

Here’s your chance to be a part of the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival on Aug. 24 – 25, 2024 at the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club!

We’re looking for site maintenance or help on our docks during the event.

Shifts are 8am – 12pm, 12pm – 4pm, and 4pm to 8pm (Sunday only).

Registration for volunteers will open in the Spring of 2024.

Team Check In & Wristbands 

Team Check-in: 

Only the team manager or captain may check in the team. Remember to bring confirmation of any outstanding online waivers (printout of email confirmation or electronic copy viewable on smartphone or tablet) for any additions to your roster made after the roster documents have been locked.

Wristbands: 

Once your team is checked in (which means all roster entries and associated waivers are verified) wristbands will be given out. 

Wristbands must be worn for the entire weekend — they cannot be removed and put back on and are not replaceable. Without a wristband, team members will not be allowed to compete in any race. 

Join a “Stew” crew for the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival

Your crew is not attending the Festival but you still want to compete? YOU’RE INVITED! 

This year, we’re offering solo paddlers the opportunity to participate in professionally-managed stew teams for our Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival. Individual paddlers can register for an $80 fee (which includes everything set out below) and provide FGPC’s race management staff with your gender, preferred side and approximate weight and years of experience. Once submitted, you’ll be placed in a festival stew team, with an optional practice on the Friday afternoon of the race weekend. That’s right: one practice! FGPC will also provide staff sterns and drummers for each team (both mixed and women’s teams).

If you don’t have a team going to this unique and challenging festival, register as a solo paddler today. We’ll place you immediately and keep you informed of your stew team’s progress along the way. You can invite friends too. 

Here’s what you can expect from participating in the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival in beautiful Victoria BC:

• an stew team practice on Friday afternoon at FGPC, located on Victoria’s Gorge Waterway for those able to attend
• a supplied team tent in the event’s beautiful paddlers’ village, along with spare paddles and PFDs if you don’t have your own
• a full day of races on Saturday: 500m x 1; 200m x 1; and 100m x 1
• a full day of races on Sunday: FGPC’s famous flag relay; a 1500m guts and glory race; and for the top 3 finishing teams in women’s and mixed divisions: a grand final 
• medals will be awarded for cumulative placement for all participating teams

Click here to register as a solo paddler

Race Course

Our race course is located on Victoria’s Gorge waterway, where each year thousands of people can paddle, race, train and experience dragon boating, outrigger canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and more.

At the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club, we are dedicated to the growth and development of paddle sports. Our race management team is hosting three dragon boat events on Vancouver Island in 2024, including the Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Festival.

Come join us!  We hope to see you soon.

Paddlers’ Village

VIDBF’s paddlers’ village will run on either side of Jutland Road adjacent to FGPC’s facility at 2940 Jutland Road. Tents are pre-assigned and tent numbers will be provided to team captains when they check in. Teams must locate themselves at their assigned tent number and location for the purposes of marshaling and safety. Note that security staff will patrol the race site and Paddlers’ Village after-hours, but the tent area is not fenced or secure. Paddlers should not leave valuables and personal items unattended. FGPC is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 

Location: Refer to Map for location of Paddlers’ Village and event parking 

Canadian Springs water coolers will be available in the Paddlers’ Village area and at locations around the event site. Please bring reusable water bottles. 

Paddlers are encouraged to bring their own paddles and PFDs, but a limited quantity of “club” equipment will be available for racing. Note : FGPC-provided PFDs and paddles must be returned by paddlers after every race. Club-supplied paddles and PFDs are not permitted in the Paddlers’ Village.

Race Management

FGPC has a team of more than 50 dedicated staff, coaches and fitness instructors who run programs, races, events and other services for the following operations:

• Fairway Gorge Paddling Club
• Selkirk Waterfront Fitness Centre

Waterfront Outfitters

• Vancouver Island Dragon Boat Race Series, with races in Victoria and Nanaimo. 

We have hosted island-based festivals since our inception in 2014.

Food Trucks and Retail Vendors at the Festival

We will be adding this information as the event approaches.

We’ll have great entertainment on site all weekend

Limited parking is available. Everyone is encouraged to use public transportation, bike, walk, or carpool as paid and no-charge surface parking is limited in the Selkirk area. A parkade has been made available to festival participants for both race days, and we welcome paddlers to take advantage of this free, secure parking. The location of the free-for-the-festival parkade is: 320 Garbally Road (on the same street as Paddlers’ Village). Please work with your team to ensure vehicles are unloaded quickly and not left unattended as there is very limited space in the Paddlers’ Village area. Unattended vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. Note that street parking is not permitted within the Paddlers’ Village zone, and is time-limited and enforced / ticketed on Saturday for vehicles parked for more than 1 or 2 hours (as marked) in the Selkirk community. Please make use of the free-to-paddlers parkade at 320 Garbally Road. 

Paddlers, spectators and supporters may want to use the Victoria Harbour Ferry system to travel to the race site from downtown.

Accommodations

Robin Hood Inn & Suites

Booking code  RG10  to book the rooms

Robin Hood Inn & Suites 136 Gorge Road East Victoria, BC V9A 1L4, Canada T: +1.250.388.4302 Front Desk Mobile: +1.250.885.8119

Hotel ZeD

Click Here for reservations

https://www.hotelzed.com/  use promo code PADDLE By Phone: 1-800-997-6797 and quote GROUP ID 6336790 All reservations are based on availability at time of booking

Looking for a competitive advantage, either in racing or training? You’ll probably want to visit our retail store, Waterfront Outfitters . All of our gear – and we have hundreds of items – are staff-tested and club approved. Our store, located at 2940 Jutland Road, is full of paddling gear, life jackets, paddles, lights, clothing and other goods for those who love being on the water.

We also have gifts, jewelry and other products for sale – perfect for anyone looking for an ocean-themed gift. Our gear is used by our coaches and paddlers, and ready for the rigors of our sport.

Although we think dragon boat racing at our race venue is the ultimate spectator sport, there are plenty of activities your family and friends may want to consider while you’re ripping up the race course.

The Fairway Gorge Paddling Club is located right next to the Selkirk Trestle, which is part of the Galloping Goose cycling/pedestrian network. Trail-goers can walk or ride a little over two kilometres from our race site to the heart of downtown Victoria, to enjoy all it has to offer, from stunning scenery, amazing food, to whale watching tours and much, much more.

Greater Victoria’s Galloping Goose and Lochside Regional Trails are an excellent option for enjoying the outdoors. This well maintained network of trails, which is part of the Trans-Canada Trail system, extends from Swartz Bay at the top of the Saanich Peninsula just north of Sidney through downtown Victoria and then east out to Sooke, together covering 88 kilometres (54.6 miles), mostly running through beautiful west coast scenery.

Friends and supporters may also consider hopping aboard Victoria’s amazing harbour ferry network (Victoria Harbour Ferries is a sponsor of our events!), to travel in style and cormfort to downtown, historic Chinatown, Fishermen’s wharf or elsewhere in the harbour network. https://map.victoriaharbourferry.com/

Sponsors and Community

The Fairway Gorge Paddling Club is dedicated to safety, quality and professionalism. We are dedicated to supporting dragon boating and supporting paddlers throughout Vancouver Island.

FGPC club and visiting athletes have raised thousands of dollars for cancer treatment and research, and the facility has hosted online COVID-compliant outrigger paddling events in 2021 that attracted participants from across Canada, the U.S., the UK, Australia and New Zealand. 

Dragon boating is an inclusive sport, and FGPC is proud to have coached and supported youth and senior teams, and teams associated with cancer survivors, multiple sclerosis and vision impairment. FGPC also adapted many of its programs to be safe and relevant during the COVID-19 pandemic, improving the quality of life through access to sport for many athletes. 

We gratefully acknowledge our many club sponsors, who are as committed as we are to enhancing our communities.

Please click here for a complete listing of our sponsors and community supports.

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Detailed Swiftsure History to 2016

Short History of Swiftsure

The first recorded sailboat racing in the Victoria area was in the late 1850’s, between boats of the Royal Navy and the early Colonists. Interest in the sport grew in the following decades, and by 1930, a long distance race from Cadboro Bay around the Lightship on Swiftsure Bank, at the entrance to the Juan de Fuca Strait was proposed, and there were six entrants! By 1960, forty- five boats were entered in this now-classic race. However, in the following year, the Lightship was removed from service, and now sailors round a Royal Canadian Naval Vessel temporarily on station at the same location. In 1962, after considerable grumbling by skippers of boats that were too small to go to “the Bank”, Royal Victoria Yacht Club introduced a shorter-course race to Clallam Bay, some fifteen miles west of Port Angeles, and called it the Juan de Fuca Race. Like the granddaddy classic, it too started with modest beginnings. In the first year of the Juan de Fuca race, there were but four entries; by 1969 this had risen to forty-nine boats. With continued and increased participation, and faced with only two courses, one of 138 miles and the other of only 78 miles, the race organizers and many skippers found themselves in a dilemma. The solution was the introduction in 1988 of the Cape Flattery race, of 101 miles in length, halfway between the Swiftsure Bank and the Clallam Bay courses. This has proved to be a very popular race, attracting some of the very largest boats. A number of skippers of heavy displacement monohull yachts with a rating of 165 PHRF and faster, which were required to race in the Swiftsure Lightship Classic or the Cape Flattery Unlimited race, provided feedback to the Swiftsure organizers that they preferred to not race in the Swiftsure Lightship Classic course because their hull speed often prevented them from rounding Swiftsure Bank marker before the wind typically eased overnight. On the other hand, a number of these skippers felt that the Cape Flattery Unlimited course was not quite long enough. The same input was received from a number of skippers who prefer to race under the ORC handicap rule. In response to this input, in 2015 the Hein Bank Race was introduced for PHRF and for ORC divisions, both being 118.1 nautical miles long. The chosen course was from the starting line at Clover Point, leaving a mark at Neah Bay to port, leaving to port the ODAS 46088 (located about 5 nautical miles bearing approximately 238 0 magnetic from Hein Bank), and crossing a finish line across the Victoria Harbour. In order to not further split the fleet, the Cape Flattery Unlimited race was eliminated. In addition, the PHRF handicap restrictions for the Swiftsure Lightship Classic and Cape Flattery Race for Monohulls were eliminated, and there was no PHRF handicap restriction placed on the new Hein Bank Race. In 2016, the Swiftsure Lightship Classic for Multihulls was reintroduced due to increased interest. It was last offered in 1998. In the earlier years of Swiftsure, Eaton’s major display window at the corner of Douglas & View, in downtown Victoria was set up as “Swiftsure headquarters”. A large map of the race course was installed, and the progress of the race was shown by moving miniature boats across the map. As the numbers of boats increased, this became a daunting task. The event, and this way of graphically displaying a race boats’ progress, was very much appreciated by Victorians. “People used to line the sidewalks, sit on the curbs. There was a feeling of excitement right there, in the middle of town”. “Since the first radio broadcast from “Dose crazy yotsmen” competed with the fisherman’s band to the outside world during the 1952 race, and L’Apache (later Diamond Head) broke her backstay during the effort, Humphrey Golby was “on the air”. Coverage expanded when Harold Elworthy’s Island Tug and Barge Company generously provided tugboats for the press. Radio station CKDA pioneered with the limited ship-to-shore equipment of the day and ‘The voice’ was born.” For more details, refer to the 1980 publication of Swiftsure: The First Fifty Years, by Humphrey Golby and Shirley Hewitt.   Swiftsure Lightship History and  Swiftsure Lightship #83 Restoration Swiftsure Lightship #93, the turning point for the original Swiftsure Lightship Cup Races, was a US Coastguard Lightship standing on station at Swiftsure Bank starting in 1909. From then until 1961, a lightship stood on station at the Swiftsure Bank.  The final ‘Swiftsure’ lightship was Lightship Vessel (LV) #83, but LV #113 was the first to serve for the inaugural 1930 Swiftsure Race and was recognizable by her red hull and ‘Swiftsure’ lettering.  While #113 was in refit, the ‘Relief’ ship, #83 would stand on station; it was this same hull that would become the final Swiftsure Lightship. During WW II, a buoy temporarily replaced the lightship as all serviceable ships were needed for the war.  Afterward, #83 was assigned to mark Swiftsure Bank until 1961. Since then, Swiftsure Bank turning point has been marked by a Royal Canadian Naval Ship during the Swiftsure Race. #83, the final Swiftsure Lightship, has taken on a new life at the  Northwest Seaport Maritime Heritage Center . She is undergoing extensive restoration to return her to her original condition as the Swiftsure lightship (her last assigned duty station). Swiftsure now resides in Seattle as a National Historic Landmark at Historic Ships Wharf in Lake Union Park.  She was re-launched 21 August 2013 and reopened to visitors on 5 October, 2013.  She was one of hundreds of Lightships that aided navigation in US coastal waters. Swiftsure International Yacht Race organizers have been in touch with the  Northwest Seaport Maritime Heritage Center   and hope to see #83 up at the Swiftsure race sometime in the future. Northwest Yachting magazine also has a  fine article  and there is more information about US Coast Guard lightships  here . Swiftsure Lightships – a brief outline of lightship vessels standing on Swiftsure Bank  ( more detail ) : #93; 1909 – 1930 Yellow Hull, Black ‘Swiftsure’ lettering – first lightship to stand on station at Swiftsure Banks #113; 1930 – 1942 Red Hull – inaugural Swiftsure Lightship; #113 sank while being towed to Alaska #83; Built in 1904, 1945 – 1960 final Swiftsure Lightship, Red Hull, White ‘Swiftsure’ lettering

Swiftsure International Yacht Race

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Royal Victoria Yacht Club 3475 Ripon Rd. Victoria, BC V8R 6H1   Canada P: 250.592.2441 E: [email protected]

Visitors to swiftsure.org

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Race Results

RVYC is now using Clubspot for all of its dinghy and keelboat Regattas. Race results for current series, recently past Trophy races and Regattas can be viewed here .

Additional results information for individual races, by event, can be found on the Racing Events Calendar.    Historic race results can be found by clicking here . 

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CLUB RACING Mini 12 Deceptions & Illusions Series A Series B Series C Series D 2.4mR Series 1 Series 2 Series A Series B Series C Series D Series E Long Distance Fall Series Winter Series Round-the-Buoys Fall Series Spring Series Winter Series REGATTAS Regatta Dinghy 2.4mR Fleet Championship   2.4mR Ice Bowl   Frozen Assets  

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VIRS Schedule

Virs 2024 results:, virs schedule for 2023:.

Information Course Information Available Crew Race Tracker Race Photos Notice Board Results Fleet List Schedule of Events Race Poster for 2024 Crew List Form Crew-List Amendment Form Guest Moorage Forecasts Crew Bank Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club Check the Download Page for: – Notice of Race – Sailing Instructions – Waiver Form – Safety Regs VIRS Schedule Safety at Sea Course

Time to Race Start

“It is over a month and the crew still talks about your race with glee. They had the time of their lives and I just wanted to remind you how special your race is. Thank you.” Roger

BLACKLINE PATOS ISLAND RACE

“This popular event is hosted by the Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club on Vancouver Island and is the first in the ‘triple crown’ of the big Island events (followed by the Round Salt Spring Race and the Swiftsure Race).

The race itself is a great tactical challenge, navigating along the Canada-US border between the southern Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands. Strong tidal currents are a major consideration here as we’re really playing at the edge of the Juan de Fuca Strait where the Pacific Ocean tries to squeeze itself into the Salish Sea.”

Canadian Yachting Magazine

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Victoria Dragon

Boat festival, presented by fairway market.

August 9-10, 2024

Paddle Down

Inner Harbour and Ship’s Point

Victoria, BC, Canada

More than just a Festival

The canada dry victoria dragon boat festival presented by fairway market is the island’s signature dragon boat festival..

Through the centuries, traditions like dragon boat have travelled across the Pacific and found new homes in communities like Victoria. You’ll also find Canada’s oldest Chinatown just a few blocks away, reflecting the long-standing contributions from Chinese communities in building Canada.

We bring Chinese and local cultures together, and celebrate them every August in the Inner Harbour through racing, cultural demonstrations, and local artist performances.

We’re a celebration of sport, culture, diversity, and community for everyone of any age and background. Our commitment to supporting our local community inspires what we do.

Title Partner

Canada Dry returns as the Festival’s 2023 title partner. Rooted in Canadian tradition for over 100 years, Canada Dry invites you and your family to experience another great Canadian tradition- the Canada Dry Victoria Dragon Boat Festival this year!

Presenting Partner

Fairway Market is the Festival’s 2023 presenting partner. Be part of the Festival – even from land; visit your local Fairway Market store in August and donate to the Festival’s Lights of Courage campaign to raise money and hope for those battling cancer through BC Cancer.

126-year-old B.C.-built sailboat ready to take to the sea once again

Dorothy, built in 1897, is one of the oldest sailing yachts in the pacific northwest.

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A sailboat that first launched 126 years ago in Victoria, B.C., is set to take to the sea once again.

Dorothy is a 30-foot (7.41-metre) sailboat built between 1896 and 1897 by John J. Robinson in what was then the James Bay boatyard on Vancouver Island, currently marked by the Laurel Point Inn.

The Maritime Museum of B.C. says Dorothy is considered the oldest sailing yacht in the Pacific Northwest. It went through nearly a dozen owners before being donated to the Victoria-based museum in 1995.

After a decade of restoration work, Dorothy will be launched into the ocean from Ladysmith on Saturday, making it the oldest B.C.-built registered sailboat in use, according to Angus Matthews, one of Dorothy's previous owners and board chair of the museum.

• Video A B.C. group is painstakingly rebuilding a WWII aircraft so it can take to the skies again

"She's absolutely gorgeous," Matthews told CBC  All Points West  host Jason D'Souza, crediting red cedar harvested from B.C., along with oak and mahogany touches, with keeping Dorothy seaworthy for so long.

Matthews explained that Dorothy was one of roughly two dozen sailing yachts built in the 1890s to help launch the European-style sailing scene in British Columbia.

Over the years, it participated in many races, and the museum houses multiple trophies won in regattas held in the first half of the 20th century.

The museum also has logs of its travels around Vancouver Island and B.C.'s south coast, including a sworn testimony from a previous captain that he had witnessed  Cadborosaurus , a sea serpent that was rumoured to have lived in the waters of Victoria's Cadboro Bay.

"It was an amazing career," Matthews said.

Decade-long restoration

The refit of Dorothy was a joint project between the Maritime Museum of B.C. and the Ladysmith Maritime Society.

Volunteer boatwright Robert Lawson used early photos to help him restore the boat back to its original design.

Roughly 80 per cent of the original hull is still in place, with Lawson repairing seams and caulking and stripping layers of paint away before refinishing the exterior.

WATCH | Tony Grove explains the refitting process:

Volunteers took part in restoring the deck and other aspects of the boat, said Maritime Museum of B.C. president Jamie Webb in a statement, adding that "without them, we would not have come to this happy day so soon."

• First Person I kayaked solo from Victoria to Alaska. It taught me how small I am

Dorothy will be launched into the Ladysmith Harbour on Saturday at 1 p.m. After that it will stay on display in the Ladysmith Community Marina. It will eventually be moved into Victoria's Inner Harbour once a berth can be found.

With files from Jean Paetkau and All Points West

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The most fun you will have this summer! We have been running sailing programs for over 20 years with certified instructors that are energetic and knowledgeable.

We have a wide variety of programs to suit all ages and skill levels. We operate under the Canadian Yachting Association (CYA) CANSail to offer the following programming:

We are excited to announce the purchase of three new International FJ double handed sail boats for the youth and adult programming

Optimist Sailing Program For Youth Aged 8-13

Cansail program ages 14 & up, junior racing.

The VBYC is excited to continue to offer junior racing at the club at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August. Club boats and equipment will be provided to any club members and sailing school students who want to give racing a try. CYA certified coaches will supervise and instruct the race courses and best of all it's free of cost. Racing is the best way to learn how to sail. This is a great opportunity, give it a shot!

For more information and registration please contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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If dingy sailing isn't your thing then windsurfing will be! If you have never felt the the exhilaration of gliding over the water on a windsurfer then sign up for a clinic, it's easier than you think.

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Programming specific to ages 5-8 years, in an Optimist Dinghy. Active Start stage of the Long Term Sailor Development (LTSD).

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Fundamental skill aquisition in any type of boat (single / double handed). Fundamental Stage of the LTSD.

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Applied skill consolidation in any type of boat (single / double handed). Learn to Train stage of the LTSD.

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 Learn to Sail with Blackfish Sailing Adventures

Sail Victoria, the Gulf Islands and the Salish Sea!

Blackfish Sailing Adventures is an accredited sailing school with Sail Canada (CYA) offering sail training courses, day sails and skippered sailing charters around Victoria and adjoining Gulf Islands. We cruise as far north on Vancouver Island as Desolation Sound. If you are looking to combine a vacation featuring pristine waters and beautiful natural settings, while also improving your cruising skills, here are some great options:

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Choose either a half day or a full day on the water.  We depart from Oak Bay which is a scenic 10 minute drive from downtown Victoria.  Experience great sailing among idyllic islands set against a backdrop of soaring mountain peaks. A memorable day for seasoned sailors and novices alike.

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A Sail Canada (CYA) cruising course is recognized the world over and provides you with the basic skills you will need to begin cruising.  With some additional navigational training and experience, you should have the ability to cruise or charter a boat anywhere in the world.

GO CRUISING

Do you want to familiarize yourself with sailing, develop some sailing skills, or find out the kind of boat you should buy?  Join us for a Customized Sailing Adventure through the islands and discover the pleasures of coastal cruising.

Learn to Sail

Live-aboard courses: – – 5 – 7 day Cruise-and-Learns (all levels) – – Mileage and Skill Builder Cruises – – Customized live-aboard courses

Day courses (non-live-aboard): – – One day Introduction to Sailing – – Two day Competent Crew Course – – Three day Skipper Training Course

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What are people saying?

• Ashley and I had so much fun sailing with Gary on Sunday. Thank you so much for helping me plan the trip and for being so accommodating. The boat was beautiful; Gary was an extraordinary teacher and captain; and the cake was delicious! We’re now addicted to sailing and British Columbia. John Just wanted to say thanks for the fabulous sailing experience. Gary was absolutely fabulous!!! Everyone immensely enjoyed the sailing experience and will definitely recommend your company to anyone wanting to experience sailing. Jaime
• We had a terrific time. Gary is a superb instructor. He impressed the pants off of the two of our number who have taken sailing lessons in Hawaii and British Virgin Islands; and he earned a position in my evaluation of instructors based on more years in university than I care to recount. Dr.Dennis Galon, MEd, PhD Today Tim and Riley had an awesome time sailing with Gary. He was a wealth of interesting knowledge and gave everyone ample opportunities for hands on experiences. This was Riley's first experience sailing and definitely not his last. Gary, Many thanks for a wonderful birthday present for Tim and a great father/son outing for both of them. They would highly recommend this day of sailing. Glenda

If you have taken a trip with us, we would appreciate your feedback:

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Established in 1931, Sail Canada (formerly known as the Canadian Yachting Association) is the national governing body for the sport of sailing. The Association promotes sailing in all its forms including yachting through collaboration with their partners, the Provincial Sailing Associations, member clubs, schools, and many individual stakeholders.

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Welcome to Island Cruising Yacht Charters

Yacht Charters, your portal to some of the finest sailing and cruising grounds in the world!

Check out our catamaran fleet & "offer to Own ", do you want to own a catamaran in the worldwide fleet , sailing and Catamarans on offer in the SUNSAIL fleet! more info . Situated on Vancouver Island near Victoria, British Columbia, Island Cruising offers bareboat sailboat charters and powerboat charters with easy access to all of Vancouver Island BC including the Gulf Islands, Desolation Sound , the Sunshine Coast and the United States San Juan Islands .

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Port Browning Marina – Pender Island Two Nights Moorage, Valid Sunday–Wednesday or Thursday–Saturday (Up to 65% Off) from C$49Buy No Longer Ava...

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#101-9776 Fourth Street Sidney, BC Canada V8L 2Z1

Phone : (250) 656-7070    Email : [email protected]

Made with by Island Cruising

• Corporate Sailing
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• Sail – Day Skipper
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• Course Dates
• Power – Introduction
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• Boat card *online
• Sailing Career
• San Juan Route
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• Sidney to Desolation Sound 10 Days
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Phone: 250.885.2311 | Toll Free: 1.888.922.8822 | Email: [email protected]

Heritage Sailing Adventures

Embark on a tall ship adventure.

Experience a unique traditional sailing adventure along The Natural Coast ® of the Pacific Northwest. Our trips are relaxing, adventurous, and hands on, whichever you choose. We make sure the crew brings a wealth of knowledge to each trip. They are skillful individuals having common interests with you in mind.

The sailing vessel Duen is certified yearly by Transport Canada. Individual booking is possible, confirmed departure with 7 – 24 Passengers.

Departing from Victoria’s Inner Harbour

Join us aboard the heritage sailing vessel THE DUEN as we gently make our way out into the Salish Sea in safety and comfort. Our mission is to offer fun, accessible, and eco-friendly adventures for all ages and abilities that surpass your expectations.

We treat our guests as friends who have come to share our lifestyle and ensure you feel safe, comfortable and welcome.

An Amazing 3-hour Sail!

All ages and abilities welcome aboard..

Experience life aboard a tall ship as we motor out of the harbour, haul the sails and set our course for adventure.

Departs at 10 am & 2 pm Adult: $135 per person plus tx

Evening Cruise

Catch the setting sun and victoria’s skyline.

An evening tour of the inner and outer harbour. Relax and enjoy a gentle cruise on board our beautiful heritage vessel.

Departing between 6:00 - 7:30 pm Adult: $115 per person plus tx

Private Gatherings

From team building to private gatherings.

We offer a variety of private parties for groups of up to twenty-four, as well as networking and corporate team building opportunities.

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Find out more about the fascinating history of the Duen, upcoming events, and exciting seasonal offerings

Affiliations & Reviews

"World Coolest Yacht" Yachting World Magazine April 2020

Awards & Membership

Our videos have over 10 million views on YouTube. We sell boats throughout North America and can sell yours. BC representatives in Vancouver , Victoria , Nanaimo , Campbell River , Maple Bay , Comox

OUR VIDEOS SELL BOATS.

List with us, powerboats, sailboats, trawlers & yachts for sale – bc, canada, power boats.

Click here to see a good array of quality Power Boats in a size and range that fits your needs. Check the line up then give us a call.

You’re one click away from seeing a good selection sailboats for every taste and budget. Check it out then give us a call.

Featured Boats

2022 cutwater c24 coupe.

CAD $179,000

Length: 24.25 ft

Style: Sports Cruiser

1988 Bayliner 4518 Motoryacht

CAD $150,000

Length: 45 ft

Style: Motor Yacht

1999 Camano 31

CAD $159,000

Length: 31 ft

Style: Trawler

1982 Ericson 38 Sloop

CAD $83,900

Length: 37.7 ft

Style: Sloop

2007 Mainship 34 Trawler

CAD $240,000

Length: 34 ft

2023 Custom Seal Bay LC 40

CAD $675,000

Length: 40.5 ft

Style: Landing Craft

Locations in BC

Calibre Yacht Sales has three physical offices, plus virtual offices in three more cities on coastal BC. With local contacts and knowledge, we can sell your boat quickly and for the best price.

Vancouver Victoria Nanaimo Campbell River Maple Bay Comox Valley

Contact us today to learn more about listing your boat with Calibre Yacht Sales. You’ll be glad you did.

Toll-Free: 1-844-838-2628 Email:  [email protected]

Our 10 Steps to Selling Your Boat in BC