I recently obtained certification from Sail Canada as a Coastal Navigation Instructor. I obtained this certification via a recognition of competence process, a different approach from the usual path. Specifically, I used the exception allowed to the prerequisites:
Applications will also be considered from other individuals with strong coastal navigation experience, skill in delivering classroom training and who gain approval from their Provincial Sailing Association;
Sail Canada
Steps
Since I thought I would meet the requirement for “competency in the delivery of classroom training”, I began researching this recognition process in November. In particular, I looked at what the provincial sailing associations had to say on the subject. After some discussion and reflection, I went to Nova Scotia to get certified.
My sailing courses were already fully assembled during the certification process: presentations, videos, exercises and so on. As a result, the training clinic focused mainly on verifying my mastery of the content and my teaching skills. All in all, I had three zoom meetings with the person responsible for certifying me.
You also have to take the exams associated with the certificates, the ones that the students take, and get a mark of over 90%. For practical reasons, I had to do the exams in two parts: elementary and intermediate theory, then the map part (also elementary and intermediate). The only really interesting thing about these exams was that I got to see the new versions, incorporating a few questions on electronics and ColRegs. The summary is in the image below.
Long story short, do you need (french) navigation classes?
Conclusion
Going to Nova Scotia was initially motivated by administrative reasons, but in the end it made me a better sailor. By forcing myself out of the Quebec framework, I encountered different perspectives on navigation equipment. I was exposed to Bowditch – a leading authority – whom I had never read before. These perspectives strengthened my understanding of sailing, but also forced me to think differently. It gave me oxygen, and in the end, Quebec gains (at least) one more modest sailing instructor.
I say “at least” one, because history has had its children. I am not the only one from Quebec to have taken this path. At least four other instructors from other Quebec sailing schools have decided to follow suit. Perhaps there will be others.
It also introduced me to some good people. The Nova Scotia Sailing Association welcomed me wholeheartedly. It just goes to show that their sailors are pretty friendly too.
Thanks: I am thankful to Marie-Paul Simard, Dan Cloutier, Voile Mercator and one Sail Canada Instructor who preferred to remain anonymous. All blunders remain mine!
