At Free Spirit Sailing, we pride ourselves in offering a full range of sail instruction options for beginner to offshore sailors. We are based out of Silva Bay Marina on Gabriola Island but we can pick up clients anywhere within a day’s sail from Gabriola (for a fee). For day sails and multi-day Cruise & Learns for individuals, a couple, or a couple of friends, instruction is offered on Prairie Mist, our Ontario 32 docked at Silva Bay. This vessel is a Transport Canada registered Recreational Boating School vessel; fully insured, safe and comfortable.

For larger family groups or groups of friends or co-workers, we can facilitate the charter of a vessel from Nanaimo Yacht Charters or Desolation Sound Yacht Charters depending on the BC Coast area you want to explore during your week or more of sail instruction and exploration. Charter sailboats range from 36 to 50 feet and can accommodate up to six persons in separate cabins.

Agathe Gaulin, Free Spirit Sailing’s owner and certified CRYA instructor, holds a Master’s of Education degree in Adult Education and a Yachtmaster Offshore certification. Since obtaining her Instructor certification in 2009 she has accumulated more then 450 days of sail instruction and sailed over 16 000 sea miles, 7 500 of which were sailed offshore during a Vic-Maui race (2012), a Hawaii-Victoria delivery (2016) and a Pacific Cup race (2018). Agathe is renowned for her unflappable demeanour and her ability to instill confidence in students and crew, even in the most difficult sailing conditions and with a diversity of students and crew members on board.

All levels of sailors will benefit from instruction, whether this be the absolute beginner, or the “old salt” wanting to upgrade their skills.