Katy Campbell at the helm of Panacea X – Mathew Channer

July 1, 2025

By Mathew Channer

Katy Campbell is a Canadian yacht captain, sailing instructor and owner of Sea to Sky Sailing in Vancouver B.C., who is working to close the gap between aspiring and trained sailors and improve Canadian sailors’ path from dinghy sailing to racing on larger vessels, particularly for women.

“There is a very strong dinghy sailing path in Canada but it’s harder to get youth sailors to learn how to race bigger boats,” she said.

To offer training at all levels, Campbell runs both beginner and intermediate education at Sea to Sky Sailing and chartered racing throughout the Caribbean regatta season, where sailors can crew and race with her on her 45 Solana Panacea X, offering many their first experience racing on a larger yacht.

Campbell hopes to guide more women into sailing, in particular.

“I’ve been extremely privileged that nobody has ever told me ‘You can’t do that because you’re a girl’, but that happens to many women,” she said.

“I’ve realized I’m in a position to help with that.”

On Panacea X, Campbell usually sails with a majority female crew. She encourages women to speak up about their desires to learn more sailing skills.

“Put yourself forward and ask for what you deserve,” she said.  

Campbell was a dinghy sailing instructor and then a Sail Canada Instructor Evaluator before opening Sea to Sky Sailing and utilizes her extensive experience throughout her training. Many of her students have gone on to become accomplished sailors, completing passages such as Atlantic Ocean crossings and rounding Cape Horn.

“It’s very rewarding when you see someone’s eyes open to this whole new world,” she said.

Read more about Katy Campbell and Panacea X in our June issue of Canadian Boating!

Learn more about Sea to Sky Sailing.