Squamish Sailing Ventures

I'm totally new to sailing and I'm so glad that my first day was with Ben of Squamish Sailing Ventures !!He is an experienced skilled instructor with a very clear and calm manner.So my learning experience was very fulfilling and joyful.Howe sound is such a beautiful place.Ben is very familiar with the area so took us to a little adventure to one of small islands while anchored.I really hope that everyone in the area who wants to develop their sailing skills starts in good hands and this is the go to place.

Ben is a great teacher who knows his stuff, backed by lots of experience! He made sure that we were fully rooted in the foundations of his course and, for those of a more curious mind, was happy to share his trove of stories, information and exercises! Kind, patient, and courteous - a little soft spoken until you break the ice: I'll be back for more instruction!

I've done two three-day courses with Ben now, one for the IYT certification and one just for fun with my family and both were fantastic! We learned a lot (Squamish gave us all conditions to learn in) and Ben was a great teacher

We really enjoyed our day sail!! Three of the four of us were brand to sailing and not sure what to expect. Ben guided us through the ins and outs and we got to take turns at the helm. It was super hands on! The Howe Sound makes for a stunning backdrop as well! It was an excellent way to spend a day and we hope to do so again!

As I began to gain experience and knowledge this year through live aboard and day sails, Ben continued to be encouraging, optimistic, guiding and super pleasant to be around! Learning as you go is a great way to start, rather than a bunch of info sitting on the dock. I highly recommend Squamish sailing ventures to sailors of any skill level. There's always more to learn and Ben is a wealth of knowledge and experience. 5 stars!

I just completed the bareboat skipper course with Ben. The whole thing was way above expectations. Instead of book knowledge, we spent time doing things. I really enjoyed the way we practiced everything: experimenting with sails, anchoring , docking, navigating, motoring in tight situations etc.. So much hands on stuff. We rarely took the easy option when there was a chance to try something different .In addition to Ben, there were 3 of us students. This seemed to be the ideal number, and we all got as much time as we wanted at the helm, and all of the other tasks. We all tried and did everything, usually with Ben observing from a distance, suggesting stuff and reminding us of things we had forgotten.Ben was helpful and always ready to answer questions and explain and suggest alternate ways. We all enjoyed having him as our teacher and guide. Living on board for a week with Ben and out group was a blast. I lucked out with my fellow students as everyone was enthusiastic and also wanted to try stuff and learn and share the load.The location is ideal. Howe Sound and the Georgia Straight have good winds and we were always able to sail. The tides and currents are big and again we lucked out with a full moon and got see and adapt to them. The islands in area are beautiful and provide many varied overnighting options. We were gifted by the weather gods and all days were warm or even hot.In addition to being a sailing course, this was also a vacation. We swam off the boat, on beaches and in isolated rocky inlets. We visited parks and harbors and bars and restaurants. Food onboard was good and varied and we took turns preparing or assisting with dinners. Lots of coffee and tea throughout the day. I got a kick out of Ben boiling water for tea on the gimballing stove as the boat rolled through the waves.This was an amazing experience and I will do it again.

Ben took us out on the water early July and what an amazing day! The wind was strong (as it consistently is in Squamish) and we had the boat speeding along! Some excellent sailing and then we stopped for lunch and a swim by the defence islands. It was glorious! The boat is perfect for anybody either wanting to get out on the water and have fun or really get stuck in and learn how to sail. This time we enjoyed a fun day out on the water as a staff day out, but we will be back again. We enjoyed our experience so much and know that we're in good hands, so we have decided to join Ben next summer to do the week long Skipper Course! Cant wait!

Ben is an excellent sailing instructor, possessing a deep wealth of sailing knowledge mixed with the ability to adapt to student needs. We've had nothing but positive experiences with Squamish Sailing Adventures and will continue to learn from them.

My husband, friend, and I had a great time taking a 5-day live-aboard lesson with Squamish Sailing Ventures in August 2021. Ben was accommodating of our training goals, dietary restrictions, and schedule. He managed to fit in some of our wish list items too (practicing some maritime radio, climbing the mast, etc.).

I signed up for the IYT International Bareboat Skipper course with the goal of becoming more confident exploring the west coast on my own boat. In the six days I spent with Ben from Squamish Sailing Ventures we covered everything I needed to feel comfortable heading out on my own. I particularly liked how Ben left most of the decision making to the three of us taking the course, providing guidance and helpful insights when we needed it. We based our sailing plan on where the wind would be and at the same time explored a different islands, bays, moorages and marinas. It felt more like an adventure than a course. Ben thanks for the good times and excellent cuppa.