S.A.L.T.S. Sail & Life Training Society, Victoria, BC

Each year, 1700 young people have the life changing experience of learning to sail a tall ship with SALTS. Voyages take them to the Gulf Islands of BC each spring and fall, and in the summer the ships circumnavigate Vancouver Island. Periodically, SALTS conducts an offshore voyage to ports around the world. Young people from all socio-economic backgrounds participate, and a bursary program helps cover costs for those who cannot afford to pay. SALTS partners with numerous other youth organizations to provide bursaries to youth who are at-risk, from low income households, or from challenging life situations.
Young “trainees” learn all aspects of sailing the ship. They are split into three “watches” (groups) and given responsibilities as training crew. At least one watch is always on duty, working in shifts both day and night. Duties include taking the wheel of the ship, bow watch, sail handling, anchor watch, navigation, radio monitoring, small boat handling, galley chores, etc. Formal instruction is given regarding sailing theory, rules of the road, sailing terminology, knots, etc. Trainees work their way through the SALTS sail training curriculum. Shore trips to beautiful coastal islands and rousing evening mug-ups with games, stories, and singing make for an exciting and diverse experience.