Optimist Race Coach / CANSail 3&4 or 5&6 Instructor

National Yacht Club’s Sailing & Racing School is now hiring for the 2027 season! Our sailing school has been teaching sailing on Lake Ontario for over 70 years, with a history of producing high performance racers and life-long sailors. We are looking to continue this legacy and believe that hiring exceptional staff is a crucial component.

National is seeking an Optimist Race Coach who has previous coaching experience and a background in single-handed racing. We are looking for a coach who is responsible, self-

motivated and enthusiastic about building up our sailors to the best that they can be. We have a well-maintained fleet of race-ready Optimists, and a center-console inflatable rib for optimal on-water coaching.

National Yacht Club is located on the Western Gap of the Toronto Harbour; our prime location includes superb access to Lake Ontario for Optimist training and our proximity to several other GTA Clubs allows for excellent racing opportunities. NYC is looking for a race coach who is highly organized, a positive communicator and dedicated to providing safe, fun and quality race training and regatta coaching for young sailors. If you think you are the right fit for our team, see information below!

We Offer:

- Competitive salary ($25-$30/hr), free lunches, reimbursement of CANSail

Annual Fees

- Friendly, supportive, and professional work environment
- Quality Equipment – racing fleet of Optimists and 15-foot inflatable, center

console coach boat
- Great Location – camaraderie with other sailing programs and sailing outside

Toronto’s Inner Harbour
- Established Program – supportive parents and experienced program staff
- Accessible Location –nearby bike paths, TTC, and free onsite parking




- Opportunities for paid part-time instruction on evenings and weekends for adult

learn-to-sail courses

Responsibilities:

- Full-time instruction July through August, Monday to Friday – including off-site

weekend regattas and some weekday regional regattas and a one-week paid orientation last week of June
- Part-time race team training opportunities May, June & September
- Schedule and organize a competitive race team training and regatta calendar
- Communicate with race team members and parents
- Teach and evaluate CANSail 3&4 level sailors – including introductory racing and

optimist boat handling
- Work with S&RS; Head Instructor and Programs & Marketing Manager

Our Ideal Candidate will have the following Qualities and Qualifications:

- Completed CANSail 3&4 or Advanced Instructor or CANSail 5&6 Instructor

Course or CANSail Development Coach (Trained or Certified)
- Sail Canada Instructor Registration for 2027
- Racing Experience – ideally with Optimist specific experience or other single-

handed racing/coaching experience
- ROC(M) - VHF Radio Operators Certificate *
- Toronto Port Authority Operators Permit (Toronto Harbour Licence) *

How to Apply: We are filling a vacancy in this role and Resume and Cover Letters are now being accepted. Please submit to:

Amelia Leeksma

Programs & Marketing Manager [email protected]

*Courses are available through National Yacht Club prior to season

National Yacht Club is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. We will work with you to accommodate your needs in line with the goals of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Should you require accommodation through the application or interview processes, or any stage of the recruitment process, please contact National Yacht Club directly at (phone hidden) or [email protected].

📌 Optimist Race Coach 2027 Season (Toronto)
🏢 National Yacht Club
📍 Toronto