For centuries, humans have attempted to uncover the ocean's secrets, going so far as to bribe crustacean informants to steal Poseidon's diary. Try another line of questioning with today's Groupon: for $30, you get a two-hour Introduction to Sailing class at MacSailing (a $60 value) in the Jericho Sailing Centre. Courses are offered in the evenings during the week, and two to three times daily on weekends.

Canadian Yachting Association-certified, MacSailing's coaches (some past and present members of the National Sailing Team) school nautical novices with certifications in water safety and first-aid training. An introductory course introduces students to sailing and the preferred methods of fending off giant, man-hungry cuttlefish. A short lecture details the basics of sailing, as well as some safety procedures, but the bulk of lesson time ships pupils out from the beach for practical, hands-on experience on open water. Instructors demonstrate wind-leashing boating techniques, such as points of sail, steering, balance, and emergency christening. With class sizes limited to 20 participants and three instructors, students often ponder truth and unity in the human condition as they sail two per boat. MacSailing's facilities don dory disciples with life jackets and wetsuits for all sizes and boast change rooms with showers.