MENTORSHIP & OLD SALTS 

JTown is a cooperative club, rooted in its social connections. JTown has no employees and is entirely volunteer-member operated. Members share boats, space, knowledge, resources and more. It often takes more than a shared love of sailing and commitment to a common set of rules to make our club operate smoothly. A strong culture of volunteering and mentorship is one way that JTown continues to thrive sustainably.

No matter your sailing background (or lack thereof), you too can benefit from giving or receiving mentorship at JTown. Mentors can introduce new members, not only to sailing skills, but also to community culture, to other members/mentors, and to club norms/expectations. 

Old Salts

JTown uses the expression "Old Salt" to refer to sailors who have completed CanSail 1&2 at JTOWN, or an Albacore - Old Salt Level 1 Test at JTown.

Each year, JTown's nearly 150 Old Salts, participate in welcoming new members, in a variety of ways such as:

• supporting new sailors first few hours in a sailboat; 
• helping to lead clinics or classes; 
• supporting social events; 
• answering questions and orienting new members; and/or
• introducing new members to other members sand club culture/expectations.

Members requiring assistance connecting with mentors are encouraged to reach out to education@sailtoronto.com.

BECOMING AN OLD SALT

One of the benefits of membership at JTown is the revocable sign-out privileges that may be granted for use of one or more of our fleets, subject to the rules and expectations set out in our Membership Handbook.  You can apply to become a member, here. Members must be aged 19+ years. 

JTown is a community of 200+ people who love sailing, and members without current sign-out privileges are permitted and encouraged to sail while accompanied by any JTown member who holds sign-out privileges.

Most new members will become an Old Salt by successfully completing CanSail 1&2 at JTown. New members with previous sailing experience who are looking to obtain sign-out privileges without taking a course, may apply to complete an "Albacore - Old Salt Level 1 Test".

Successful completion of this test, is a minimum pre-requisite to being granted sign-out privileges for our fleets.  Click here for a summary list of JTown's course, clinic, and testing requirements and pre-requisites.  

It is strongly recommended that new members seeking to complete an Albacore - Old Salt Level 1 Test, sail a few times with an existing Old Salt on JTown's albacores, to review and prepare to satisfy these requirements, prior to signing up for the Old Salt Test. 

Members requiring assistance connecting with mentors are encouraged to reach out to education@sailtoronto.com.