Frequently Asked QUESTIONS
FAQs about trip
Who comes to the Sea School?
How is this program different from other sail-training programs?
What are the boats like?
Do I need to know how to sail, or how to swim?
What if I am hopeless at knots?
Where do we sail?
Who will be my instructors?
Are there sharks? Will I get eaten?
What is the weather like?
What about storms?
What do we eat?
What kind of gear do I need?
Will I have time to myself?
Can I bring my iPod?
Do I need to be really athletic and tough?
What will I learn?
Is there a shower on the boat?
How do I apply?
How do I get there?
Can I go more than once?
Are there things to do besides the summer expeditions?
Do you do stuff in the winter?
Who comes to the Sea School?
Everyone. Our goal is to have our teenage crews represent a cross-section of society, because we learn more from each other when we’re not all alike. We have adventurers, poets, athletes, artists, sailors, landlubbers, talkers, listeners, dog-people, cat-people, outdoorsy-types, indoorsy-types and we would love to have someone like you! We have students are from the country and the city, students who pay full price and students who receive bursary support, students from all over Nova Scotia and students from the rest of Canada, the US and even Europe. It’s a diverse group and we like it that way. We have served over 900 participants?
We also offer programs for adults, for educators and leaders, and for executives and corporations. See our list of program partners. The sea is a great training ground for everybody.
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How is this program different from other sail-training programs?
It’s an adventure not a class or a cruise. We’re away for 5, 7, 10 or 21 days straight and we learn a whole lot more than how to sail! Each participant gains a full experience of being at sea that is true to Nova Scotia’s seafaring heritage: you learn to handle the boat and sails, navigate, live in the ocean wilderness and command a crew. In this challenging environment you discover the values taught by the sea: courage, leadership, teamwork, generosity, humour and respect. When your trip is over your Sea School experience does not have to end. You become a member of a great community that keeps you connected to the amazing experience you had on the boat. You are invited to our parties, gatherings, meetings, presentations, fall and winter programs, weekend group volunteer projects caring for our boats and lots of other activities. There are lots of ways to get involved. See our Participants, Friends and Volunteers and Upcoming Events pages for more details.
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What are the boats like?
DOROTHEA and ELIZABETH HALL are 30’ spritsail-ketch-rigged pulling boats. They are wooden boats powered by sails and oars. They are our home for the length of the trip. These boats are a traditional seaworthy design, proven safe in all conditions, fast, responsive and exciting to sail and need a lot of teamwork. From setting sail in the morning to dropping anchor at night, DOROTHEA and ELIZABETH HALL require everyone’s participation.
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Do I need to know how to sail, or how to swim?
No experience is necessary. Really. None at all. If you know boats already, you’ll find new challenges you haven’t imagined. If you’ve never been in a boat before or if sailboat seems like a tangle of incomprehensible ropes, canvas and terminology - not to worry! Our skilled staff will help you make sense of it all as you adventure on the sea. And you’ll be well versed in sailor speak by the end of your trip.
You don’t need to know how to swim in order to sail. Lots of our participants don’t know how to swim.
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What if I am hopeless at knots?
We will teach you. All of our instructors have taught thousands of knots and have teaching them down to an art – as you will by the end of your trip. They will break each one down for you slowly and clearly until you can do it. If you are a knot whiz however, our instructors can show you a few cool ones you may never have seen before.
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Where do we sail?
Most sailing adventures begin and end in Lunenburg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home of the Bluenose and the Picton Castle and one-time home to the East Coast schooner fleet. Our cruising range extends from the La Have Islands and Petite Riviere in the west through Mahone Bay and St. Margaret’s Bay and as far east as Sambro Island Light.
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Who will be my instructors?
Sea School instructors are great people who are down-to-earth, fun to be around and have fascinating life-experience. They are accomplished sailors and skilled outdoor educators. Safety is their priority and all are trained in Wilderness First Aid. Their skill, judgment and know-how have ensured that in our 12 years of operation we have had no injuries or accidents on the boat.
They will make sure that your course is challenging as you learn the ropes and discover how amazing life is at sea. See our staff profiles. We strive whenever possible to have one male and one female instructor on each course.
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Are there sharks? Will I get eaten?
There are porpoises and whales, sunfish and seals, puffins and ospreys and bald eagles, islands with no one but sheep, (none of which will eat you). No sharks.
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What is the weather like?
We have a good mix of sunny and warm days with beautiful sea breeze nights, cloudy and cool days, with some rain and fog. Nova Scotia is famous for having four seasons in a day – and that is especially true on the sea so come prepared with everything: your bathing suit, layers of warm fleece and a few things in-between. See our clothing list in Program Information Notes
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What about storms?
If we have strong winds we sail with glee!!! But if it is too rough for sailing we stay in a sheltered cove (of which there are plenty) until conditions improve. If a hurricane is forecast (which is very rare) we go straight ashore and to safety. We sail on the coast so evacuating to shore is very easy.
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What do we eat?
We eat very well and our Provisions Coordinator, who plans the menu and packs the food, makes sure that we have plenty to eat for the duration of the trip. We take fresh fruit and veggies, dried food like pasta and rice, bread and cereals, some canned and packaged food and lots of energizing snacks. For 21-day trips we resupply to ensure we have fresh food as fresh fruit and veggies only last for a short time. Most meals are vegetarian, hearty and designed to satisfy the appetites of hard-working sailors. We cook our meals on the boat as a crew.
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What kind of gear do I need?
No fancy outdoor gear required at all - we supply that stuff (sleeping bag, mat, foul weather gear, boots, life jacket and duffel bag). You supply the rest of what you need – which is limited to clothes, particularly warm clothes, toiletries and a few other items. Check our Program Information Notes for details.
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Will I have time to myself?
It’s a small boat with lots of people, but we go ashore on islands to explore and have some solo time. We also set aside time for a silent sail, where we take time to absorb our beautiful surroundings. Everyone takes a turn being on night watch, where you get to enjoy the beauty of the night sky and sounds of the sea.
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Can I bring my iPod?
Nope. Nor can you bring your blackberry, discman, cell phone, laptop, - name the electronic - you can’t bring it! The fanciest bit of gear you can bring is a flashlight. Living on the sea with your crew without the conveniences we’re used to is an important part of The Nova Scotia Sea School experience.
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Do I need to be really athletic and tough?
Almost anyone can do a Sea School trip! If you are in good health and ready for a new and challenging adventure you’ll have no problems. If you have questions or doubts about your ability to sail with us please contact us and we can help you decide. We have a medical form you are required to fill out with your doctor so that we are aware of any medical needs you may have.
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What will I learn?
Whether you're a racer with a shelf full of trophies or a landlubber who's never been in a boat before, you learn a lot about the sea and a lot about yourself. You learn to read charts and navigate in the fog without electronics, using just a compass and leadline. You learn knots and rope work, constellations, how to read the weather in the clouds. You learn to sail your boat in all weather and get safely to harbour each night no matter what the wind and waves dish out. Everyone takes turns being in command of the boat, so you discover how to work with others in demanding situations. And you come to trust your ability to meet whatever challenges come up.
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Is there a shower on the boat?
Nope. It’s back to the basics for the duration of the trip. But you can swim to get clean if you like! We also sleep under a tarp, the sun is our clock, the moon is our night-light, and the wind is our ventilation system. It’s great.
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How do I apply?
Visit Program Registration page.
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How do I get there?
For driving directions please go to our Contact Us page.
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Can I go more than once?
You can come as many times as you like for as many summers as you like. We have lots of return participants. Those who have done three trips with us are eligible to become crew leaders in our Leading Crew Training Program.
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Are there things to do besides the summer expeditions?
Do you do stuff in the winter?
There is a lot to do. During the summer you can refine your sailing skills by joining of our Assistant Instructors in Halifax for day-sails on the Joanna. During the year we often run a boat-building program where you can learn to build a wooden boat. Some seasons we have a free boat-care program where past-participants and volunteers help us care for our boats. We have land-based programs, events, parties and activities in the fall, winter and spring so you can be involved with the Sea School all year long.
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