We are very proud to foster and develop sailing as a sport and pastime within our community. For the past 7 years, we have run a full-time sailing school with Sail Canada certified staff instructors and club owned equipment. Our programs - from introductory to advanced - are offered to kids aged 5 and up and adults.
We host regular Wednesday evening and weekend race events for all sailboats. If you don't own a boat, try your hand at being a crew member on one of our member boats. This team sport is a great way to meet people and develop your sailing skills.
Each year, we organise several rendezvous at anchorages that are within a few hours of Yellowknife Bay. Cruising the vast waters of Great Slave can be very solitary, and rendezvous are a great way to share an anchorage, experiences, food and good times. New sailors also benefit from the watchful eyes of a flotilla.
The Great Slave Sailing Club is located in the City of Yellowknife on the shores of Great Slave Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories. (62' 29' N 114' 22' W).
Great Slave Lake is the 5th largest lake in North America and the 10th largest in the world, with a surface area of 28,570 square kilometres. Sailing season is early June to late September for the prudent, and into October for others.
We exist to promote the development of sailing, seamanship and navigational skills through the participation in sailing and club activities; to cultivate an appreciation of Great Slave Lake as cruising waters; and to facilitate and provide youth the ability to become involved in the sport of sailing and all related activities for their own personal growth and community benefit.
The Club's lift-in is now scheduled for Saturday, June 12, subject to weather and other conditions. Members can expect further details from the Yardmaster by email closer to the date.
Summer is nearly here and we're offering Sailing Camps again with two-week half-day Optimist Sailing Camps for 5-8 year old children and one-week CANSail 1 & 2 camps for youth aged 8-15. Covid protocols will be followed in accordance with the Chief Public Health Officer. For full details, schedule, and to register, click here!
Each year, members can anticipate the Club's lift-in around the first Saturday in June. Along with the usual prerequisites of crane availability and weather/wind conditions, lift-in is also subject to Back Bay being reasonably clear of heavy ice on the last weekend in May (ie, one week prior to lift-in). If there is ice, then lift-in is pushed to the following Saturday.Â
This requirement also helps with pre-season conditions and our members' ability to prepare their boats in time for lift-in. If there's still ice in Back Bay, it's likely that it has also been too cold for on-the-hard repairs and rigging. The Board also has discretion to plan accordingly and in the best interests of our members.
Members will be advised of the planned lift-in date closer to the start of the season.
