Kelowna, BC – Competitive sailors in the Okanagan will have a step up as they start their sailing season this spring—thanks to some specialized training. Kelowna Yacht Club and North U have joined forces to offer a water clinic on May 4 to 6.

Presented by North U Director Bill Gladstone, the clinic includes six hours of sailing on Saturday and Sunday on the beautiful Lake Okanagan. Each day includes a midday seminar and a video review following the afternoon sailing session.

“The North U Racing Clinic teaches refined techniques to transform you from a racer into a winner,” says Gladstone. “Every sailor has strengths and weaknesses in their skill set. We’ll improve areas of weakness and build on your strengths to send you back on the water a better, more versatile racer.”

The a one-of-a-kind learning experience, including a combination of drills, short races, coaching, instruction, and video review that will improve the boat handling, sail trim, helming and tactics of every boat in the fleet.

North U is the training division of North Sails and has offered seminars and instruction since 1980. Teaching sailing and racing for over forty years, director Gladstone is the author of the North U Racing Trim, North U Racing Tactics, and North U Cruising and Seamanship books and a collaborator in the creation of the Rules and Match Racing programs.

His racing experience covers the spectrum, including everything from dinghies to Maxies, ponds to oceans, and foredeck to helm. He has finished in the money Key West Race Week, Annapolis to Newport, NYYC Race Week and Queen’s Cup. Bill raced collegiately for Yale and was founder of the Chicago Sailing Club.

Gladstone’s cruising grounds range from the San Juan Islands of the Pacific Northwest to the Caribbean and include the Great Lakes and Eastern Seaboard.

Sailors attending the water clinic will enjoy a great weekend of on the lake, and as a bonus, go home a better racer.

The clinic starts with a seminar and welcome party on Friday evening, May 3. Inquires about the clinic can be directed to Toni Clark at toni@corporateheights.ca or by calling 250-462-2565.

Early bird registration is open until April 2. Skipper fees are $175 and crew fees are $250.

Registration is open at the Kelowna Yacht website.