WELCOME TO SUMMER 2025!!
A Message from Head Instructor Eli
Welcome to the 2025 sailing season at the Greater Shediac Sailing School.
Sailing school is up and running at Pointe du Chêne for the summer, and the kids are
having a blast. This year we have a new building and will no longer be operating out of the PCYC kitchen. We are now located at the former Big Fish building (first building on the left as soon as you pass the gate house).
We have a full team this year with four returning staff and 2 new hires! My name is Eli
Ford and I will be the head instructor this summer, as well as the CANSail 5/6 instructor.
The rest of the team includes Nuala Murphy (CANSail 4), Olivia Kikkert (CANSail 3),
Ben Pelletier (CANSail 2), and our two new instructors Molly Ford (CANSail 1), and
Florence D’Astous.
A few updates for this year’s sailing school season
1. On Monday morning the instructors will be on the porch of the sailing school
(marked ‘Homarus Eco-Centre’ on the map). Parents are encouraged to
purchase a gate pass for the wharf (50$ + 5$ deposit for the card) this will give
you access to the wharf for pickup/drop-off as well as any other time you would
like to visit the wharf. As an alternative, the Pointe du Chêne Yacht Club is
allowing us to use their parking lot in the morning/afternoon for drop-off.
Parents/Guardians can park in the lot and walk their kids down to the sailing
school building. The entrance to the PCYC parking lot is before the toll booth for
the wharf (see map).
2. Drop off time for students starts at 9:00am. Sailing school runs from 9:30am-
4:30pm.
3. The sailing school is open 5 days a week rain, shine, or holiday!
What students need to bring for sailing school:
-Lifejacket
- Sunscreen (Please don't forget this one)
- Hat
- Water bottle
- Lunch &snacks for the day
- Bathing suit or clothes that can get wet
- Change of clothes
- Closed toe shoes
- Water shoes/booties or shoes that can get wet (crocs are a great option)
- Towel
- Inexpensive sunglasses (optional but highly recommended)
Theme Days
Every Wednesday we have a different theme for the sailing school. It’s a chance for
sailors and instructors to get creative and have some fun!
Every Wednesday we also offer a BBQ. We’ll be selling Hamburgers ($2.50),
Cheeseburgers ($3.00), and Hot Dogs ($2.00). Please bring cash (as close to the exact amount as possible). We also have Mr. Freeze freezies for sale for $1.00.
Make sure to follow the GSSS on Instagram and Facebook:
Dates to mark in your calendar:
- Every summer we host a banquet during the last week of sailing school. It’s a
chance to bring everyone together and recognize the achievements of our
sailors. The dinner is potluck style. We will be in touch with all students and parents with more
details closer to the date.
Absences
If your child is sick or must miss a day, it is best to let us know is by email. Emails
are checked daily at 9:30 am Monday - Friday. You can also email us with any
questions you may have. Our email address is: Greatershediacss@gmail.com
CANSail Evaluation
Our sailing school operates and evaluates based on the CANSail system, which
has 6 levels. If it is your child’s first time at the sailing school, they will be in CANSail
level 1.
During the 2-week block, your child will receive instruction in all the essential
skills required for CANSail 1. While the focus will be on covering fundamental concepts such as boat handling, basic knots, wind awareness, and safety, the successful completion of level 1 will depend on their learning progress and application of these skills. The aim of CANSail 1 is to equip students with the foundational skills and knowledge of sailing.
Daily Routine
Our goal is to have all students begin rigging their boats by 9:30 AM and be on
the water by 10:30 AM. There will be a 1-hour lunch break from 12:30 to 1:30 PM, after which students will resume sailing until 3:30 PM. Following this, they will derig their boats and conclude their day at 4:30 PM.
About Greater Shediac Sailing School
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
Greater Shediac Sailing School's mission is to provide the highest quality sailing instruction for the youth in our community (aged 8-18). We follow the cirriculum of SailCanada and most of all, our goal is for students have FUN!
Our History
Our Mission
Our Mission
GSSS set up shop at the Pointe Du Chene wharf in 2023 a new location for a program of youth sailing in Shediac bay alive since the late 50s. The school was run out of a container in 2023, but new this summer, we have moved into a new building featuring offices, common areas, a dedicated classroom and a substantial covered porch. Also new for summer 24 is a launch ramp and more beach area.
Our Team
Our Mission
Our Team
Our team consists of fully certified Sail Canada instructors by the National Governing Organization of the sport in Canada. They teach the curriculum of the award winning CanSail program which can take a student from a complete beginner through to a sailor with great seamanship or a competitive provincial level racer.