Maybe you’ve seen the brightly striped sails of Sail Georgian Bay Sailing School in Meaford Harbour and the Bay beyond, and wished you could join those kids. Unfortunately for us, the age limit is 18. But in Meaford, it’s never too late to learn how to sail.

Jean-loup Dalle urges people to “add sailing to your bucket list”. The experienced Master Yachtsman teaches folks on his 31-foot French-built Kirie Elite, Malaika, based out of Meaford Harbour.

“What I do as a coach is a bit different from an instructor teaching a rigid curriculum,” says Jean-loup. “Our several modules are flexible and adaptable because we listen to our students’ needs. We talk more about confidence, anxiety, communication or creams than ‘sailing by the lee’ or ‘velocity made good.'”

Jean-loup Dalle at the helm of Malaika

“My style of coaching is very relaxed,” says Jean-loup. “The emphasis is on learning in a fun and enjoyable atmosphere. I coach folks of all ages to sail with confidence.”

Jean-loup holds a commercial license as Master of Yacht 200 Tons Limited from International Yacht Training, and he’s a certified Sail Canada cruising instructor.

You can get in touch via his website, email (jeanloupdalle@rogers.com) or by calling (226) 668-1978

Or drop by. Jean-loup and a crew of friends sailed Malaika from Toronto to Meaford a year ago May, where she’s currently berthed on B dock, # 36.