Blackfish Sailing Adventures

Gary is a very approachable and professional instructor. The two day modular course I took with him was amazing value for money. It covered a lot of basic knowledge with plenty of time to apply it through real world sailing on the beautiful SV Ibis. Highly recommended for anyone new to sailing or wanting to brush up old skills

I recently had the pleasure of taking the Intermediate course at Blackfish Sailing in Victoria, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations. As a sailing enthusiast eager to enhance my skills, I found this sailing school to be an absolute gem.From the moment I arrived at Blackfish Sailing, I was greeted with warmth and professionalism. Gary is incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and patient, creating a comfortable learning environment that allowed me to fully immerse myself in the world of sailing.The Gulf Islands are simply perfect for a sailing school. The stunning coastline, serene waters, and constant breezes provided an ideal backdrop for learning and honing our sailing techniques. The breathtaking views alone were worth the experience!Throughout the course, I was amazed by how much I learned. The curriculum was comprehensive, covering everything from sail trim and navigation to safety protocols and boat handling.I cannot recommend Blackfish Sailing enough to anyone looking to learn to sail or enhance their skills.Thank you, Blackfish Sailing, for an incredible experience. I left your sailing school with a wealth of new knowledge, unforgettable memories, and a desire to set sail again soon. If you're seeking an exceptional sailing education in the beautiful city of Victoria, Blackfish Sailing is the place to be!

Captain Gary was fantastic! Our party of 3 had the absolute best adventure sailing. We all played a part in the operation of sailing and Gary's explanations made it easy to understand and appreciate. He is well versed with the area, tides, winds and which made the whole experience a real nautical adventure. Highly recommend this trip! A+

We recently went on a half day sailing trip with Gary, and we had an absolute blast. Gary was fun, professional, and taught us a ton! Will definitely be coming back for another trip one day.

My husband and I just completed the 5 day live aboard Cruise and Learn with Gary as our instructor. The entire experience exceeded our expectations. The boat was very comfortable, clean and well equipped. The meals were well planned and you never went hungry. The course itself was a perfect mix of learning how to sail and relaxing in the sun with your fellow crew. There are shore excursions so that you can stretch your legs, and every anchorage offers spectacular views of the Pacific coast.Gary is a fantastic instructor with the perfect demeanour for teaching. He is patient, with a great sense of humour and a relaxed approach. As a result you feel comfortable and at home in your environment, even if you have never sailed before.I highly recommend that everyone reads the course materials in advance, regardless of experience. This will make your week far more enjoyable as you can concentrate on sailing and admiring the beauty and wonder of sailing, rather than focusing on an exam.For anyone who has ever wanted to learn how to sail - this is it. This is the experience you have been looking for. You will have incredible memories and a bucket list item checked off with one email to Blackfish Sailing. Do it - you will be so happy you did!

We had a great 4 day skippered charter with Gary. There was lots of room on the boat for 4 adults, and we had a great time learning about the Gulf Islands area and sailing. Gary is a great person to learn from and sail with! We all had a great experience!

Wonderful experience, first time sailing. Gary is extremely knowledgeable and professional. Easy going. Did the 3 hour excursion, looking forward to doing the 5 day training school.

What a great introduction to Basic Cruising Skills"! It's been such a pleasure learning from Gary. His decades of sailing experience show. His patience and compassion are expressed with enough the doses of realistic reflection to keep us humble. Though he never passes up a teaching opportunity

A great way to spend a Sunday! Gary was very patient and experienced during our introductory sailing experience. A lovely day and a very clean and well appointed boat! Having a small group and being able to take turns at the helm and trimming the Jib Sheets and tacking. Highly recommended!

It was amazing. Gary’s patience and compassion made all the difference.