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Squamish, BC, Canada
Hi, I'm Patrik,
Hi, I'm Patrik,
I am a sailing instructor with over 40,000 nautical miles as skipper and instructor, and more than 750 sailors coached across Europe and Canada.
I deliver first-class sailing instruction — either as bespoke private tuition or as scheduled small-group IYT certification courses.
With absolute attention to your individual needs, I help new boat owners, families, and aspiring or experienced skippers alike push their sailing envelope further.
My role is simple: to make sure you feel ready to take the boat out — and genuinely enjoy your time on the water.
Many of my students — from complete beginners to Yachtmaster and Instructor level — have gone on to incredible adventures and professional careers of their own.
Qualifications ∣ Patrik Lindr
Qualifications ∣ Patrik Lindr
RYA Yachtmaster Instructor & Cruising Instructor Trainer
IYT Recreational Instructor
MCA Master 200gt
How would you like to train?
How would you like to train?
Private Training
Private Training
Bespoke, high-attention instruction tailored to your goals.
Ideal if you:
Ideal if you:
want to feel in control and confident in your skills
want to take your family sailing, but you are unsure whether teaching them yourself is the right choice
are an experienced skipper seeking focused coaching (docking, heavy weather, passage planning, emergencies, and "what if?" situations)
are buying or chartering a boat and want to build safe habits from day one
would like to earn an internationally recognized certificate
Train on your own boat, anywhere in BC, or abroad.
Or train on our boat, based in Squamish, BC.
Group Courses
Group Courses
Learn to sail and earn recognized qualifications onboard one of our scheduled small-group courses.
Beginner courses: International Crew
Beginner courses: International Crew
Start here if you’re new to sailing.
Learn the fundamentals and become a capable crew member on a yacht.
Earn your IYT International Crew certificate.
Skipper courses: International Bareboat Skipper
Skipper courses: International Bareboat Skipper
Ready to take the helm yourself?
Build the boat handling, navigation, and command skills to charter with confidence.
Earn your IYT International Bareboat Skipper & ICC
Let's talk
Let's talk
Not sure which course is right for you?
Not sure which course is right for you?
Help me understand your goals, and let's chart the right sailing journey for you.
Certifications
Certifications
Yacht Master Class (YMC) offers official sailing certification through IYT (International Yacht Training) programmes including:
IYT International Crew
entry level course teaching you sailing basics so that you can be a capable crew member
IYT International Bareboat Skipper
an intermediate course giving you skills and certification to sail yourself
ICC (International Certificate of Competence)
recognized by Transport Canada in lieu of the PCOC.
required for charter in the Mediterranean and much of Europe.
Advanced & Expert IYT courses such as Yachtmaster by inquiry
To avoid any confusion, please note that YMC is not an RYA Training Centre (RTC).
How it works
How it works
- Choose your path
Private coaching or a scheduled course. Not sure? Get in touch.
2. Secure your place
2. Secure your place
Fill a booking request form. We confirm dates, objectives, and preparation so you arrive ready to learn.
3. Train on the water
3. Train on the water
Focused, high-attention instruction on the water to build your skills.
Testimonials
Testimonials
“It’s one thing to be an expert but entirely another to translate that into great teaching skills. Patrik is one of those rare gems that do both. Calm but firm, he pushes you to do your best and makes sure you truly earn your certification. Top-notch through and through.”
— Dewey
"As a complete beginner, by the end of the day I was docking our sailboat with confidence. I felt safe the entire time. Patrick is an amazing instructor, with the ability to adapt to the student, very knowledgeable, patient and kind."
— Carole
“Superb course. Calm and patient, he took every opportunity to teach and give us space to try. When things went slightly skewed, he kept the team together beautifully.”
— Ellen
“As a former Senior Fire & Rescue Officer and instructor, the standard reached could not have been improved.”
— Albert
"Patrick was the perfect sailing instructor for me and my family. Clear explanations reinforced with immediate hands on demonstrations and practice. He is personable, openly invites questions and feedback and finds a good balance between correcting mistakes and allowing the student time to learn through doing."
— Augie
“First-class and demanding in the best way. Calm, thorough, and pushed us to perform at our best.”
— George
“Always calm and clear — even during an engine failure on a night sail. Changed plans smoothly and kept everyone safe. Learned plenty.”
— Ann
“Patrik created a safe, open and supportive learning environment. I learnt a huge amount and left feeling confident about heading out on my own sailing adventures.”
— Tim
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which course is right for me - Crew, Skipper, or Private coaching?
Which course is right for me - Crew, Skipper, or Private coaching?
If you have your own boat and want to train on the boat you’ll actually be sailing, private coaching is usually the best option.
We tailor everything to your boat, your crew, your experience level, and your goals — whether that means rebuilding fundamentals or refining advanced skills. You can earn respective certifications on a boat you will actually be sailing.
If you don’t have a boat, a group course is the simplest path.
If you’re new to sailing and want a solid foundation, start with International Crew.
If you already have solid crew experience and your goal is to skipper or charter, you’ll need the International Bareboat Skipper course.
If you’re unsure — get in touch. I'll help map the best path for you.
I want to skipper or charter a boat - what do I need?
I want to skipper or charter a boat - what do I need?
TL;DR: You need the International Bareboat Skipper and the ICC that comes with it.
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To skipper in Canada, you technically just need the PCOC, which is a theory-only exam by Transport Canada. If your goal is to actually feel confident and keep your crew safe, a practical skipper course is the right way to do it.
The IYT International Bareboat Skipper is designed specifically for charter-ready skippering and is the core skipper pathway I teach here.
Requirements vary by country and charter operator, so if you tell me where you’re going, I’ll help you map the the best route.
Are these courses recognized internationally?
Are these courses recognized internationally?
Generally, yes.
While there’s no single global “sailing licence,” the IYT qualifications are among the most widely recognised worldwide thanks to multiple governmental approvals.
With an IYT International Bareboat Skipper certificate, you’re eligible to obtain an ICC (International Certificate of Competence), which most European charter companies require, and is also recognized by Transport Canada so you don't need the PCOC.
Recognition can still vary between countries and charter operators, so if you’re planning a trip, it’s always best to check their specific requirements in advance.
What is an ICC, IYT, and other abbreviations?
What is an ICC, IYT, and other abbreviations?
ICC - International Certificate of Competence
ICC - International Certificate of Competence
The ICC (International Certificate of Competence) is a widely recognised skipper certificate originally developed to standardise recreational boating across Europe.
While there is no single global sailing licence, the ICC has become one of the most commonly accepted credentials for chartering in Europe and many other destinations worldwide.
When you complete the IYT International Bareboat Skipper course, you are issued an ICC as part of your certification.
Uniquely, in Canada, the IYT-issued ICC is recognised by Transport Canada in place of the PCOC for recreational operation.
IYT - International Yacht Training
IYT - International Yacht Training
IYT stands for International Yacht Training Worldwide. It is a boating training organisation founded in 1998 to provide recreational and professional sailors with certifications recognised around the world.
Over the past two decades, it has grown into one of the most globally connected boating training organisations, with several hundred partner schools operating across dozens of countries.
IYT offers a complete training pathway—from International Crew and Bareboat Skipper through to Yachtmaster Ocean—and extends into professional programmes including superyacht training.
Its qualifications are accepted by numerous national maritime administrations, including the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), USCG, Transport Canada, as well as most charter operators worldwide.
Uniquely, IYT is also one of the few non-governmental bodies authorised to issue the International Certificate of Competency (ICC), often required for yacht chartering across Europe and other regions.
YMC - Yacht Master Class
YMC - Yacht Master Class
There are too many abbreviations! YMC stands for Yacht Master Class, this sail training project based in Squamish, BC. What started as a private training side project in 2021 has eventually developed into a boutique sailing school it is today.
2026 Course Schedule
2026 Course Schedule
April - November 2026 | Full 2026 dates will be released in early March.
April - November 2026 | Full 2026 dates will be released in early March.
Small groups. Limited spaces. If you’d like early access & priority booking, please join the waitlist.
International Bareboat Skipper | Monthly
International Bareboat Skipper | Monthly
5 day liveaboard skipper course
International Crew | Monthly
International Crew | Monthly
4 day beginner course - day sailing or liveaboard
Let's talk
Let's talk
Not sure which course is right for you?
Help me understand your goals, and let's chart the right sailing journey for you.
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