Meet Sail La Vie
Sailing School
Our Mission
* To guide both seasoned seafarers and novices on a transformative journey to master the art of sailing.
* We aim to elevate the allure of the sea through our comprehensive educational approach.
* With locations in Lake Simcoe and the Caribbean, we offer a thorough sailing curriculum for students to fully immerse themselves and develop their skills.
* Our commitment to the liveaboard lifestyle signifies our dedication to the essence of sailing, enriching our teaching with insights only lifelong sailors can provide.
Our Value
At Sail La Vie, every course, knot, nautical mile, and program is a step towards your dream.
Come aboard – where the best stories are written with sweet or salt water and sails.
1. Sail La Vie stands as a beacon of nautical education, accredited by Sail Canada and recognized across the globe.
2.Our Sail Canada-certified courses cater to both aspiring captains and trusted crew, offering a path from foundational skills to advanced navigation.
3. Led by our singular instructor, our bespoke courses and mentoring programs promise personalized guidance from a dedicated team.
4. Whether on Lake Simcoe or in the Caribbean, our hands-on sessions aboard the Hunter 33 and Dufour 430 Grand Large provide real-world sailing insights.
5. Explore a life beyond the ordinary with our array of adventures, from Caribbean live-aboard experiences to daring ocean passages.
6. Rooted in a fusion of aviation safety and sailing spirit, our teaching methodology, crafted by founder Oleg, ensures every journey is a tale of safe return, marrying expertise with adventure at every turn.
Sail La Vie Founders
Certified Sail Canada Instructor
Oleg Nakarikov
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean
"Never give up! Go to your dream!"
Oleg Nakarikov, Masters of Sea and Strategy, whose voyages exceed 70,000 nautical miles, transfers years of living at sea to each lesson. He brings a wealth of disciplined experience from his past life as a commercial airline pilot, ensuring that the principles of aviation safety are deeply embedded in our sailing ethos. Oleg has turned his passion for the skies into a love for the seas, crafting a teaching methodology that draws from the best of both worlds.
Sailing Experience:
Trans-Ocean passages. More than 70,000nm, with over 250 weeks in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
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President of Sail La Vie
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Certified Instructor of PCOC, Basic Cruising Standard, Intermediate Cruising Standard, VHF Marine Radio
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Commercial Captain
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Experienced sailor, talented coach, charismatic leader and successful businessman
Mentor
Marina Lescheva (Cay)
CEO of Sail La Vie
"If you cannot change the wind, adjust your sails"
Marina Lescheva (Cay) PhD, with her esteemed academic background as a professor and head of university department, charts programs that combines rigorous theory with the wisdom of living aboard practice.
Sailing Experience:
Trans-Ocean passage. More than 50,000nm, with over 200 weeks in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas, and Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans.
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Commercial Captain
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Experienced Sailor
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Excellent Yacht Host
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Life Coach
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Creative Project Manage
Our Mentors
Marina Lescheva (Cay)
Salute Marina, a patient sailing mentor with extensive living aboard experience and a passion for the ocean lifestyle. With years on the water and her own vessel, Marina offers students a unique perspective and deep understanding of sea life.
She guides students through navigation and sail handling with a supportive approach, fostering growth in every sailor.
Whether you're a novice or seasoned sailor, Marina is dedicated to helping you achieve your sailing goals and embrace the magic of life on the water.
Vladimir Boiko
Meet Vladimir, a dedicated mentor focused on turning theory into confident sailing practice. With years of experience and a passion for teaching, he emphasizes mastering the fundamentals before hitting the water. Vladimir ensures his students understand navigation, seamanship, and safety protocols through hands-on practice and personalized guidance.
Whether you're a novice or seasoned sailor, Vladimir is committed to helping you master the art of sailing with skill and precision.
Students Success Stories
Adnan Khan
Sail la Vie is an awesome sailing school in Toronto. I had the honour for being a student to Oleg, Yacht Master and I can safely say, he is one of the best instructors in Canada. I have also had the pleasure to go with Sail La Vie on a chartered trip and it was one of the most fun filled vacation, I ever had. The best thing is that every time, I texted Oleg a question, he responded.
Thank you Sail la Vie!
Dmitri Lopatine
“Sail La Vie Sailing School program definitely exceeded my expectations. Courses are well structured. Covered subjects are not only interesting but rather motivating and inspiring you to learn much more and then try it on practice. Highly recommend to anyone to endeavor your live-long sailing journey with this school.”
Andrei Sokolski
I have been sailing for over 50 years and have worked in the Marine industry as a shipbuilder and surveyor for over 35. For me, sailing is life in every sense, so Sail La Vie very much appeals to me. I had the pleasure of working with this company in my professional role in surveying a boat for them, providing technical consulting and advice.
Sail La Vie offers a completely unique client experience when it comes to travel and adventure. Offering unusual travel destinations, luxury service keeping with Marine traditions, attention to travel trends, and building long-term friendships with customers. They are not just in it for the money, but to create a community welcoming of new and seasoned sailors alike. After working with Sail La Vie for over two years, I can confidently say that their sailing school, training, and tours are among the best.
Oleg Durmanov
I am grateful that I met Oleg and Marina. They showed me how I could achieve my life long sailing dream. As an instructor, he demonstrated passion for sailing, professionalism and outstanding leadership qualities as a skipper and teacher. Thanks to Oleg and his sailing school, I am now confident that I can embark on sailing adventures with my family and friends. Oleg's teaching approach is a unique combination of learning theory in class and very intense sailing practices that surpass requirements that are necessary to pass certification tests. This also helps in real situations that require quick thinking and actions. I recommended Sail La Vie School to many of my friends who also have successfully completed their courses.