Pender Island Junior Sailing Association

PIJSA at the time of writing does not know for certain the availability of one of our Level 1 & 2 instructors, which means the Checklick on-line registration system will initially limit registrations to lower numbers in some of the courses until we have more information. 

However, it is not all bad news.  PIJSA has an instructor for CANSail Level 3 & 4 courses for the first time in some years; her name is Sydney Rosler who has instructed at the Surrey Yacht Club.  The courses, (5 days M-F) will be offered at least for the weeks of July 31-Aug. 4; Aug. 14-18. Students must be 12y of age and have completed most of CANSail Level 2. Depending on instructor availability at Level 1 & 2 courses, a Level 3 & 4 course may be offered July 24-28. 

PIJSA will offer 5-day CANSail Level 1 & 2 courses the weeks of July 10-14, July 24-28, July 31-Aug. 4 and Aug. 14-18.  Students need to be at least 9y at the start of the course and be able to swim with the aid of a PFD.  Students must complete a capsizing practise on day 2 in order to remain in the course.  They will be in the water.

Adults may register for all the courses, but should be aware that some agility is required in small dinghies.  Students can register for courses even if they already have the Level if they want extra sailing time. The cost of all courses is $225.

Registration starts May 1 at 8 am Pacific Time for returning students and other household members.  Others may register starting on May 15.  Registration and payment are by the Checklick online system found on the PIJSA web site penderislandjuniorsailing.com.  PIJSA refund policy is that cancellation refunds prior to the course will only be offered if another student can be found. Refunds will be about $30 less because of external fees that are not refunded. No refunds are offered once each course has started. 

Courses, M-F, are 9 am to about 3.30 pm with a lunch break.  PIJSA provides a BBQ lunch on Friday to which family members etc. are invited. The Level 1 & 2 courses use Pirate class boats with 3 students per boat, or 2 adult students per boat with up to 18 students/course.  The Level 3 & 4 courses use single-handed Laser 1s and Bytes, and the 2-person Laser 2s with up to 10 students/course.  The boats sail from Hamilton Beach, Browning Harbour. It will be busy!  Parent volunteers will be appreciated.

If you go by our site at Hamilton Beach, you will see some significant improvements including more space, a new location for the boat cradle, and a new chain-link fence with a gate.  PIJSA thanks Big Digem for donating machine time and Dave Harrison for donating the recycled chain-link fencing.

John Ackermans, who has been an active Board member for many years, has decided to step down and the Board thanks him for all these years of service.  John will complete the registration process this year.  Fortunately, Nigel Watson has joined the Board, bringing his sailing knowledge and his younger level of energy.  Other Board members are: Manfred Burandt, Carolyn Cartwright, Tom Caston, Lisa Christensen, Allyson Coffey, Peter Hinton, Stephen Lofts, Rick Mudie, Herman Nievaart, Fiona Percy, Bob Vergette, Bruce Waygood, and Don Williams PIJSA receives financial support from Pender Island Yacht Club, CRD Parks and Recreation, and the Tru-Valu Spirit Board (#21).  Port Browning Marina and Pub provides the land for our site and sponsors the annual Hackers Golf Tournament in September which is a major fund-raising event.