Back On the Water – Community support brings CANSail success back to Halifax and the Sea Cadet Program

September 2, 2022 - Defence Stories

After two years away from sailing with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet program, Cadet Chief Petty Officer First Class Thierney Dignadice of Selkirk, Manitoba, is thrilled to be back for summer 2022.

"It's great to be back on the water after about two years - I'd almost forgotten how exhilarating it was!"

And Dignadice is not the only one glad to be back. The staff at the Armdale Yacht Club worked with the five sea cadets who were selected to attend and staff the Advanced Sail Course this summer housed at CFB Shearwater.

Achieving the CANSail 6 certification is no small feat. From Sail Canada:

“Sailors train to perform skills in a competitive race setting in order to achieve performance in all conditions. Sailors participate in a regional or provincial regatta and focus on training plans. This program is part of the ‘Learn to Train’ stage of the Long-Term Sailor Development Framework.”

These cadets are youth leaders, bringing sailing skills and passion for their sport to communities across the country.

And the three cadets that achieved a level six qualification this year? Thierney Dignadice of Selkirk, Manitoba, Sam Thompson of Edmonton, Alberta, and Beatrice KhunLee of Calgary, Alberta. All five of the cadets and staff cadets here this summer travelled from other parts of the country.

"It's extremely impressive to move from level four to six in one summer. Usually our cadets do Intermediate, to Senior, to Advanced summer courses over three years, but most of these cadets missed that progression due to COVID shutdowns," explains Lieutenant (N) Amanda Norquay, Sail Coordinator for the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Northwest). “The CANSail 6 achievement sets them up as instructors for all levels, and that will benefit them and the program going forward."

Post pandemic training has been a challenge, with currency and the skill level of instructors lower than usual, and a possibility that this course would not run this year. The leadership at the Regional Cadet Support Unit (Atlantic) took on the challenge to ensure that this national training was available and reached into the civilian community to augment instruction. Cadets from across Canada were trained at the Armdale Yacht Club, and accommodated by CFB Shearwater, allowing this course to run against the odds.

To complete three CANSail 6 and two CANSail 5 certifications as a course of five cadets is a wonderful way to prove that the sail program is back and as strong as ever within the Organization and our communities. Many of the cadet’s plans include returning to the program as instructors, so next summer keep your eyes on the water – you might just be watching Canada’s youth achieve national qualifications while having a ton of fun while they are at it.

Sea Cadets is one of the elements of the Canadian Cadet Organizations, a national program for Canadian youth aged 12 to 18 that aims to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promote physical fitness and stimulate the interest of youth in the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. For more information and to find a Sea Cadet Corps near you, visit The Cadets wepage.