This week’s Business Spotlight is Diamond Waters SailingDiamond Waters Sailing is a family friendly sailing experience for complete beginners to experienced sailors wanting to certify their skills for bareboat chartering. Diamond Waters Sailing commenced in 2019 and operated at a limited capacity in 2020, 2021. Every trip is a lesson in sailboat handling and cruising skills with a focus on safety and comfort. Diamond Waters Sailing offers sailing adventures from June to September, including island hopping for half a day, a spectacular full day voyage around historic Parry Island, and enchanting sunset cruises with barbeque at anchor. Additionally, they offer multi- day cruise and learn courses. In the off-season Diamond Waters Sailing teaches coastal navigation and this past winter they held both a basic and intermediate navigation course by zoom for the first time. Restrictions lifted in time for exam day and celebration at Trestle Brewery afterward.
Their 30-foot training sailboat, Blue Pearl is registered with Transport Canada as a Recreational Boating School and is maintained to the highest standard of safety. The instructors Sue Pilling and owner Larry Woolner are Sail Canada certified.Diamond Waters Sailing donates a portion of its profit to the Georgian Bay Biosphere and to Sail Parry Sound and offers discounts to their members, as well as to members of the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron, and the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.Diamond Waters sailing has recently committed to a sustainability management plan with support from Explorers Edge and The Great Canadian Wilderness; certifying their operation to a standard developed by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Diamond Waters Sailing has been a chamber member since 2019. When Diamond Waters Sailing decided to open, they called the local Chamber of Commerce for guidance and was referred to Laurie Del Net at The Learning Centre. Laurie guided Larry every step of the way through the business set up and plan. After so much assistance, Larry indicated there was no question of maintaining a membership with the Parry Sound Chamber of Commerce.
When asked what advice Larry had for a new entrepreneur, he stated, “Ask yourself why you want to do it. Then ask yourself why people will want what you are selling. If you can answer those questions easily and honestly, you can make a business plan. If the plan is viable – go for it! And be careful what you wish for! “
Spare time? Well…Larry indicated outside of sailing he is a husband, father, grandfather, and a volunteer. Since moving to Parry Sound in 1987 Larry has been a highly active member with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron. Larry collaborated with friends at CPS and facilitated the opening of Sail Parry Sound in 1997. Larry assisted in building the sail training centre in 2006 and volunteers as an executive on the board. In 2010 Larry was invited to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary Search and Rescue crew and is now a nationally certified CCGA SAR instructor and the Parry Sound unit (CAMBRIAN) leader.
