Small boat sAILING TRIP INFORMATION:

DATES: May 6, 7 & 8, 2024 (local day trips)

DESCRIPTION OF THE TRIP: This 3-day course allows students to learn the basics of sailing in the relatively protected waters of the Cadboro Bay area with instructors from the Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC). Students will have an opportunity to learn Sail Canada’s CANSail curriculum and progress through a number of skills. Students may also have the opportunity to sea kayak or paddleboard if the winds aren’t sufficient for sailing.

Please note that this is a local day program and students will return home or to their boarding house each night.

TRIP PRE-REQUISITES: Students must be able to swim 25 metres.

GROUP EQUIPMENT: The guides will provide activity-specific equipment for the group. This will include all sailing equipment and PFDs. The guides will also have access to emergency response equipment (emergency communication device, first aid kit…).

NO ELECTRONICS/PHONES: Students should not bring any electronics or phones on the outtrip. This includes airpods or similar headphones. Any devices will be collected by guides/instructors and returned at the end of the trip. Guides are not responsible for any damage to devices on the trip.

For photography, if a student would like to bring a dedicated camera (digital, analogue, or disposable), they may bring that with them during the activity.

PERSONAL EQUIPMENT: Students do not need to wear school uniform on outtrips/outdoor days. Regular clothing and running shoes are great. They should dress for the weather, with the understanding that it is often cooler on the water than it is on land, and students may get wet from spray, or in the rare event of a capsize. Students should arrive with the following items in a small backpack (the student’s regular school backpack is perfect)

  • Raincoat/windproof jacket

  • Extra warm layers (fleece jacket, extra shirt and pants)

  • Baseball cap

  • Sunglasses

  • Sunscreen

  • Running shoes (on)

  • Lunch, snacks and full water bottle

  • Bathing suit (on)

  • Towel

  • Water shoes/booties, Crocs or old running shoes

MEALS/FOOD: Students should bring a full water bottle, snacks and a hearty lunch. A bag lunch will be provided for boarding students.

TRANSPORTATION/DROP-OFF & PICK-UP: Students will be traveling to and from the activity by school bus or a school van driven by one of the guides. In some cases, students may be dropped off/picked up by parents/guardians at the day’s activity site. This needs to be confirmed with OED in advance.

DAILY ITINERARY: The daily schedule for day 1-3 is the same. The sailing activity takes place at Royal Victoria Yacht Club (3475 Ripon Rd) and the waters of Cadboro Bay.

Note: This is a tentative schedule that may change due to weather, water conditions, etc.

Pre-trip meeting: April 19 grade meeting in the Chapel

Day 1, 2 and 3

  • 8:35 AM. Meet guides at Crothall. (Students getting dropped off at RVYC should arrive at RVYC at 9:05 AM).

  • Gear distribution and equipment check by guides

  • Sailing instruction and activities

  • 2:30 PM. Pickup at RVYC

  • Students returning to the Richmond campus by school bus will return to SMUS ~ 3:15 PM

STAFFING: RVYC provides the instructors for this program. SMUS will also send an OED chaperone/guide with the group.

STUDENT EXPECTATIONS: This is a school-sponsored outing and school rules will apply. Participants are expected to follow the guidelines set by the instructional staff. A failure to meet these guidelines or a failure to follow school rules may result in the participant being removed from the activity at their own expense. 

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT: The Leader-in charge has immediate access to: An appropriate first aid kit, Cell phone or pre-established means to communicate with the school or emergency services, Emergency Call Plan, Student Medical Information

EMERGENCY MEDICINE: Students should not be self-administering ANY medication, even if it is part of their own regular routine, without discussing it first with the guides. Students with asthma, severe allergies and medical conditions should bring a clearly labelled set of the appropriate medication and discuss the treatment plan with the guides prior to the trip.