ADULTS EVENING CLASSES.
Recommended age: 7 to 77
Adults – Evening classes
Price range: CHF 275.00 through CHF 385.00
Evening classes are divided into two periods—spring and fall—and last two hours per session.
- Intermediate Monday: you are beginning to master the Surprise. We will push it to its limits, and you along with it!
- Wednesday Discovery: introduction to sailing. Discover the lake and its winds for your first tacks and maneuvers.
- Advanced Thursday: introduction to regattas and their rules. Practical exercises covering each phase of a regatta (start, close-hauling, rounding buoys, etc.).
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us: ecoledevoile@.cncrans.ch
Inspired by the famous Twilight Series, we bring the best of evening sailing to the shores of Terre-Sainte. Join us for a unique after-work experience on Lake Geneva.
Spring 2026
3 sessions of 18-20 hours
- Monday – Intermediate – 7 classes: April 27, May 4, 11, 18, June 1, 8, 15 (May 25, Pentecost Monday)
- Wednesday – Discovery – 7 classes: April 29, May 6, 20, 27, June 3, 10, 17 (May 13, Ascension Day weekend, no class)
- Thursday – Advanced – 7 classes: April 30, May 7, 21, 28, June 4, 11, 18 (May 14, Ascension Day weekend, no class)
Fall 2026
3 sessions of 18-20 hours
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- Monday – Intermediate – 5 classes: August 31, September 7, 14, 28, October 5 (September 21, Federal Holiday, no class)
- Wednesday – Discovery – 6 classes: September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, October 7.
- Thursday – Advanced – 6 classes: September 3, 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8.
* In fall, the days get shorter and can end at night toward the end of the season. Another way to develop your senses.
The SUPRISE: The benchmark sailing boat on Lake Geneva.
- Overall length 7.65 m
- Width (Bau) 2.48 m
- Draft 1.60 m
- Total weight Approx. 1,250 kg
Number of crew members: 1 to 5
Sail Areas
- Upwind sail area Approx. 33.5 m2
- Spinnaker Approx. 45 m2
- Responsiveness and Precision: The Surprise is a "lively" boat that reacts immediately to every sail adjustment and every movement of the tiller. It is the ideal vessel for understanding the finer points of sailing and acquiring the right reflexes.
- Exam Standard: By completing your training on a Surprise, you will learn on the model of boat most commonly used by SAN experts. On exam day, you will be on familiar ground, which significantly reduces stress.
- Versatility: Both safe for beginners and technical for racers, it allows you to progress quickly, from your first harbor maneuvers to perfect mastery of the spinnaker.
- A shared future: As the most common sailboat on Lake Geneva, learning on a Surprise opens the door to future sailing opportunities: it will be very easy to rent one or join crews after obtaining your license.
Discovery
This module is perfect for those looking to start their sailing journey or rediscover the basics in a safe and supportive environment. The focus is on discovering the Surprise, a stable and highly educational keelboat. You will learn essential nautical vocabulary, safety procedures, and the foundational maneuvers such as tacking and gybing. The goal is to learn as a team, fostering crew cohesion and rotating through different roles (helm, sails, foredeck) so everyone understands the mechanics of the boat. A first look at reading the water will help you identify wind direction and navigate with confidence along the Terre-Sainte shoreline.
Intermediate
Once the basics are mastered, this level takes your skills to the next level, specifically focusing on spinnaker management. You will learn how to rig, hoist, and drop the symmetrical spinnaker—a signature maneuver on the Surprise. The sessions emphasize more technical maneuvers and rhythm: tacks and gybes must become fluid to maintain boat speed. You will also work on active safety, such as "man overboard" maneuvers under sail and reefing, to gain the autonomy needed to handle various conditions on the Petit-Lac.
Advanced
This level is designed for sailors who want to refine their craft or enter the world of competitive sailing. You will discover the fundamentals of racing, from tactical start procedures to essential racing rules. The coaching focuses on fine-tuning: you will learn to adjust backstay tension, car positions, and halyard tension to optimize the performance of the Surprise. The objective is to achieve absolute precision at the helm and expert coordination with your crew, turning every maneuver into a competitive edge against the fleets of Nyon or Founex.
How to dress?
- Self-inflating life jacket: provided by the Crans Nautical Club and serviced each season.
- Deck shoes: Sneakers with non-slip soles, clean and ideally non-marking (so as not to scratch or stain the hull).
- Windbreaker jacket: Waterproof clothing to protect you from spray and wind, even in good weather.
- Technical pants: Comfortable pants that dry quickly (avoid jeans, which become heavy and cold when wet).
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- Sailing gloves: Highly recommended for handling the sheets and protecting your hands from rope burns. They are provided on the boat.
- Insulating layer: A fleece or light sweater (it is always cooler on the water than in the harbor).
- Sun protection: Sunglasses with safety cord, cap, and sunscreen.
- Waterproof boots or socks: Optional, for those moving from Intermediate to Advanced. We are starting to do abseiling...
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