Field Guides/Barrie/Sail La Vie Sailing School
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Featured inBarrie · Innisfil
CategorySailing Boating · Outdoor Education
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Sail La Vie Sailing School.

Sail Canada accredited sailing school on Lake Simcoe offering certified courses, charters, and Caribbean mileage builders

Sail La Vie Sailing School
01 — About

The brief.

Sail La Vie is a Sail Canada accredited sailing school based at Friday Harbour Resort Marina on Lake Simcoe in Innisfil, Ontario, with seasonal programs in the Caribbean. Founded by Oleg Nakarikov, a former commercial airline pilot and RYA Yachtmaster Ocean with more than 70,000 nautical miles logged, the school blends aviation-style safety discipline with hands-on instruction aboard a Hunter 33 and a Dufour 430 Grand Large. Co-founder Marina Lescheva and mentor Vladimir Boiko round out a small instructor team that works with sailors from first-time crew through skipper-track candidates. Programs span Sail Canada certifications, skills development, mileage-building passages, charters, and a youth summer camp for ages 10 to 15.

02 — Programs

5. ways in.

  1. 01

    Sail Canada Certified Courses

    For: Sailors progressing from entry-level to coastal skipper

    Course pathway following Sail Canada Standards: PCOC and Boating Basics, Introduction to Sailing, Competent Crew, Basic Cruising Standard, Coastal Navigation, VHF Marine Radio (ROC), and Intermediate Cruising Standard on 6 to 12 metre boats.

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  2. 02

    Skills Development Programs

    For: Certified sailors building practical confidence

    Mentored sessions covering day sailing, docking, sailing passages, night sailing, and bareboat handling. Designed to translate classroom theory into competence aboard cruising yachts on Lake Simcoe.

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  3. 03

    Mileage Builder Programs

    For: Sailors logging sea time toward higher certifications

    Caribbean itineraries, sailing cruises, first-charter coaching, and flotilla participation, structured to add nautical miles and offshore experience under instructor guidance.

    Book / registerarrow_outward
  4. 04

    Tours and Charters

    For: Groups, couples, and private bookings

    Private charters on Lake Simcoe for sunset cruises, swimming, fishing, proposals, bachelor and birthday parties, family outings, and corporate events. Operated from Friday Harbour Resort Marina.

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  5. 05

    Youth Summer Camp

    For: Kids ages 10 to 15When: Summer

    Monday-to-Friday camp running one to five days with micro groups of eight kids, led by a certified instructor and experienced crew. Combines on-water sailing fundamentals with safety instruction.

    $200 per person per day

    Book / registerarrow_outward
03 — Notable

Worth knowing.

  1. 01Sail Canada accredited school following Sail Canada Standards across its certified courses.Source ↗
  2. 02Operates from Friday Harbour Resort Marina, Innisfil, Ontario, on Lake Simcoe.Source ↗
  3. 03Fleet includes a Hunter 33 and a Dufour 430 Grand Large.Source ↗
  4. 04Founded by Oleg Nakarikov, RYA Yachtmaster Ocean with 70,000+ nautical miles of experience.Source ↗
  5. 05Youth summer camp serves ages 10 to 15 in groups of eight at $200 per day.Source ↗
Today

Outside the door.

Air Quality
5
aqhi · moderate
UV Index
3.3
scale 0–11
Humidity
36%
relative
Wind
22 km/h
Northwest
Temp
+22°
H 24° · L 8°
Sun
05:36 / 20:56
15h 20m daylight
A
GOOD DAY TO BE OUTSIDE

22° with 22 km/h wind. Go enjoy it.

04 — Visit

Get in
touch.

Visit Sail La Vie Sailing Schoolarrow_outward
Address
Friday Harbour Resort Marina, 3800 Sunreef Ave, Innisfil, ON L9S 2L3, Canada
Get directionsarrow_outward
AER’s guide to Sail La Vie Sailing School · Compiled from www.saillavie.caLast verified 2026-06-01