Sailing Within Reach!
Have you ever dreamed about sailing away into the sunset, or exploring our beautiful British Columbia coastline? For most of us, this is only a dream. The cost of owning a boat is extensive: initial purchase, additional equipment, moorage, insurance, maintenance, etc. The Sooke Sailing Co-Operative makes family or individual sailing affordable, fun, and gives you the opportunity to learn from others.
Join us and get sailing!
About the Sooke Sailing Co-Op
We are located at Pedder Bay Marina (925 Pedder Bay Drive). This puts us in sailing range of Sooke, Race Rocks, Port Renfrew, Victoria’s Inner Harbour, Oak Bay, and up to Sidney and the Gulf Islands.
The marina is within a short drive of Langford, Colwood, Metchosin, View Royal – and it’s not that much longer from Victoria/Saanich/Oak Bay.
Our boat, Escape, is a Catalina 27 which has been outfitted with many sailing upgrades, and also features a brand-new 9.9hp EFI outboard motor.
We are looking for new members who are interested in cooperative ownership of boats for the purpose of cruising, day sailing, and training – for adults and families. Many people choose to begin sailing with the co-op to get initial experience before taking formal sailing lessons.
Each member pays a low annual fee and also contributes time towards maintenance, administration, and social events. The cost of maintenance, insurance, moorage, and other expenses are covered by the fees. We limit our membership to 14 sailing memberships per boat.
For New Sailors
Sailing experience is not necessary. Non-sailors are encouraged to join. The Cooperative can help arrange Sail Canada Certification programs for Basic and Intermediate Cruising, Coastal Navigation, and VHF Radio Licensing (ROC-M) with qualified instructors. You are not required to Skipper a boat and can join to crew and have fun. Members also learn boat maintenance and repairs with a hands-on approach.
For Experienced Sailors
Sailing experience is welcomed. Once the orientation is complete you can skipper Club Sails or take the boat out with friends and family. There is so much to do and see around Sooke and in the Gulf Islands. Go sailing to Race Rocks, explore Beecher Bay and Sooke Harbour, or sail through Royal Bay and Esquimalt Harbour on the way to Victoria & beyond.
Sailing Lessons
While we do not offer sailing lessons, the co-op is a great way to gain sailing experience & training time between lessons. It’s a great solution for that “okay, what now?” feeling after you’ve finished a lesson and don’t have regular access to a boat.
We partner with Starlight Sailing and the Sooke Sailing Association who offer sailing lessons locally.
Reciprocal Moorage
Thanks to our moorage at Pedder Bay, we have access to the Oak Bay Marine Group Reciprocal Moorage Program. For short stays, we can dock the boat for free at the other marinas in the group: Oak Bay Marina, North Saanich Marina, and Ladysmith Marina.