6585 Goodmere Rd. Sooke, BC V9Z 0X1, Canada
About Us
Bruce Gordon Fulcher (Gordie)
After retiring early, Gordie followed his passion for sailing and teaching by founding Starlight Sailing Adventures. As the President and Head Instructor, he dedicates his time to introducing adults to the joy of sailing. Gordie specializes in teaching the basics and intermediate levels of keelboat cruising and leading Navigation Courses. Before Starlight Sailing Adventures, Gordie, his wife Lis Johansen, and their friend Robert Chouinard co-founded The Sooke Sailing Association. Their mission was to introduce children to the ocean and the art of sailing in a safe and supportive environment. The youth sailing program they started became a heartfelt passion, and by 2019, they had introduced over 500 kids to sailing, with some even advancing to become coaches and assistants. Today, the Sooke community continues to work together to keep this inspiring program alive. Gordie also played a pivotal role in founding and leading The Sooke Sailing Co-op as its President. This initiative allows adults and families to share a keelboat and experience the rewards and challenges of boat ownership. In 2016, Gordie launched Starlight Sailing Adventures with a focus on teaching adults. His commitment to lifelong learning is evident in his continued education and impressive sailing experience, including two offshore boat deliveries spanning over 3,000 nautical miles. Gordie shares: "I enjoy working with adults because they are eager to learn new skills. Teaching sailing is especially rewarding because the ocean always has new lessons to offer." Whether you're looking to learn the basics, refine your skills, or embark on an adventure, Gordie is ready to share his expertise and passion for sailing with you. He holds the following qualifications:
- Sail Canada, Basic Cruising Standard Instructor
- Sail Canada, Intermediate Cruising Standard Instructor
- Sail Canada, Basic Navigation Instructor
- VHF Marine Radio Instructor (ROC-M) (DSC)
- Pleasure Craft Operators Card Examiner (PCOC)
- Advanced Cruising Standard
- Offshore Personal Survival Course
- PADI Advanced Open Water
- First Aid
Dallas Duobatis
Dallas was raised on the west coast of Vancouver Island where he was on the water in various capacities since a very young age, and never has lived farther than walking distance from the ocean. He was on various sport fishing boats most of his childhood, for both sport fishing and camping on the gulf islands. After escaping from academia, he decided he had been away from actively being on the water for too long. This prompted his decision to start studying and practicing sailing. Out of a general interest in being on the water, and being able to explore the B.C. coast, he uses his sailing interests and experiences in his artistic practice as a landscape painter. He teaches sailing to help others have an opportunity to see and experience the B.C. coast, to appreciate the scenery and do so being safe and confident in themselves to explore. When not sailing, teaching sailing or repairing sailboats Dallas Duobaitis is a professional visual artist. He received his Associate in Art degree from Camosun College in 2006, he went on to receive his BFA from UVIC in 2009 and later his MFA at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2014. His artworks can be found at various galleries around the south island and at offthewestcoast.com. Dallas has worked professionally in contemporary art galleries as a Technician and gallery Preparator. He is a continuing asset to the setup and organizing of the Sooke Fine Arts Show, sookefinearts.com. . He has also been a director of the Sooke Sailing Association and the maintenance and facilities person for all the equipment. Currently he is a Sail Canada certified sailing instructor teaching through Starlight Sailing Adventures in Sooke. He is passionate about sailing boats solo in adventures around Vancouver Island and working and restoring older boats who still have many years ahead of them. In 2021 he solo navigated around Vancouver Island and continues to explore the remote places few get to see on the west coast of British Columbia. This is his primary source for his current artworks. Sorry Ladies he is married to the Sea!
- Basic Cruising Standard
- Intermediate Cruising Standard
- Basic and Intermediate Navigation
- Basic Cruising Instructor Certification
- Advanced Cruising Standard
- VHF ROC-M (DSC) Instructor
- PCOC Instructor
- Vic-Maui Offshore Personal Survival Course
- PADI Open Water
Bruce Gordon Fulcher (Gordie)
After retiring early, Gordie followed his passion for sailing and teaching by founding Starlight Sailing Adventures. As the President and Head Instructor, he dedicates his time to introducing adults to the joy of sailing. Gordie specializes in teaching the basics and intermediate levels of keelboat cruising and leading Navigation Courses. Before Starlight Sailing Adventures, Gordie, his wife Lis Johansen, and their friend Robert Chouinard co-founded The Sooke Sailing Association. Their mission was to introduce children to the ocean and the art of sailing in a safe and supportive environment. The youth sailing program they started became a heartfelt passion, and by 2019, they had introduced over 500 kids to sailing, with some even advancing to become coaches and assistants. Today, the Sooke community continues to work together to keep this inspiring program alive. Gordie also played a pivotal role in founding and leading The Sooke Sailing Co-op as its President. This initiative allows adults and families to share a keelboat and experience the rewards and challenges of boat ownership. In 2016, Gordie launched Starlight Sailing Adventures with a focus on teaching adults. His commitment to lifelong learning is evident in his continued education and impressive sailing experience, including two offshore boat deliveries spanning over 3,000 nautical miles. Gordie shares: "I enjoy working with adults because they are eager to learn new skills. Teaching sailing is especially rewarding because the ocean always has new lessons to offer." Whether you're looking to learn the basics, refine your skills, or embark on an adventure, Gordie is ready to share his expertise and passion for sailing with you. He holds the following qualifications:
- Sail Canada, Basic Cruising Standard Instructor
- Sail Canada, Intermediate Cruising Standard Instructor
- Sail Canada, Basic Navigation Instructor
- VHF Marine Radio Instructor (ROC-M) (DSC)
- Pleasure Craft Operators Card Examiner (PCOC)
- Advanced Cruising Standard
- Offshore Personal Survival Course
- PADI Advanced Open Water
- First Aid
Dallas Duobatis
Dallas was raised on the west coast of Vancouver Island where he was on the water in various capacities since a very young age, and never has lived farther than walking distance from the ocean. He was on various sport fishing boats most of his childhood, for both sport fishing and camping on the gulf islands. After escaping from academia, he decided he had been away from actively being on the water for too long. This prompted his decision to start studying and practicing sailing. Out of a general interest in being on the water, and being able to explore the B.C. coast, he uses his sailing interests and experiences in his artistic practice as a landscape painter. He teaches sailing to help others have an opportunity to see and experience the B.C. coast, to appreciate the scenery and do so being safe and confident in themselves to explore. When not sailing, teaching sailing or repairing sailboats Dallas Duobaitis is a professional visual artist. He received his Associate in Art degree from Camosun College in 2006, he went on to receive his BFA from UVIC in 2009 and later his MFA at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2014. His artworks can be found at various galleries around the south island and at offthewestcoast.com. Dallas has worked professionally in contemporary art galleries as a Technician and gallery Preparator. He is a continuing asset to the setup and organizing of the Sooke Fine Arts Show, sookefinearts.com. . He has also been a director of the Sooke Sailing Association and the maintenance and facilities person for all the equipment. Currently he is a Sail Canada certified sailing instructor teaching through Starlight Sailing Adventures in Sooke. He is passionate about sailing boats solo in adventures around Vancouver Island and working and restoring older boats who still have many years ahead of them. In 2021 he solo navigated around Vancouver Island and continues to explore the remote places few get to see on the west coast of British Columbia. This is his primary source for his current artworks. Sorry Ladies he is married to the Sea!
- Basic Cruising Standard
- Intermediate Cruising Standard
- Basic and Intermediate Navigation
- Basic Cruising Instructor Certification
- Advanced Cruising Standard
- VHF ROC-M (DSC) Instructor
- PCOC Instructor
- Vic-Maui Offshore Personal Survival Course
- PADI Open Water
Mission
Empowered Sailing
To inspire confidence and connection to the ocean through personalized sailing education and hands-on cruising experiences.
Vision
Sailing for the FutureTo lead in coastal sailing education, building a community of skilled sailors passionate about exploration, stewardship, and lifelong learning on the water
Our Sailboats
We have two beautiful sailboatsDepending on your course and needs, we have a fleet to choose from
Certifications
Get Certified With UsWe have many courses to choose from to find a certification that suits you
Our Certifications
Sail Canada
Basic and Intermediate Standard Instructor & Basic and Intermediate Navigation Coastal Instructor
ROC
VHF Marine Radio Instructor ROC-M (DSC)
Pleasure Craft
Pleasure Craft Operators Card Examiner (PCOC)
First Aid
First Aid Certification
Our Memberships
Sooke Sailing Association
Sooke Sailing Co-op
Sail Canada
BC Sailing
Bluewater Crusing
Canadian Power and Sail Squadron
Read What Our Sailors Have Said About Us
An absolutely delightful 2 days sailing with Lis & Gord. With patience and humour Gordie taught us the basics and Lis told stories and filled our evening with laughter. We anchored at Beecher Bay and enjoyed a walk to Aylard Farm. Thanks you so much!!
Best day I've had in a long time, really, NO REALLY. I needed this day to re-group and renew my soul. p.s. we are the best crew!
Loved every minute of the trip. I'd definitely recommend it if you've ever wanted to try sailing.
If you are considering taking a sailing course, this is the company to hire. I can not recommend Starlight Sailing Adventures more highly.... amazingly patient, calm, cool and collected Skipper with a great sense of humour that sets everyone at ease. Some of the group had sailing experience while others had zero... had faith that we could all do every task assigned from docking to tacking and gybing and rescuing our overboard buoy named Bob...
Our Partners and Members
