Polsko Kanadyjski Jacht Klub – BIAŁY ŻAGIEL

 

Feb 22, 2018

Last week I had a terrific opportunity to connect with the members of the White Sails – Polish Canadian Yacht Club at their off-the-water home in Etobicoke.  I was honoured to be asked to ring the ships bell, starting the monthly meeting, an opportunity to share a Zwiec and some delicious Polish snacks plus a report on the Wagner Rally  Their hospitality certainly made me feel part of their scene although I don’t know a word of any Slavic language.

From left to right:

Adam Korzeniewski, Vice Commodore

Michal Boguslawski, Commodore

Chris Kotus, Vice Commodore

Alina  Wrobel-Lewicka, Secretary

Adam Nielubowicz, Committee Member

The Wagner is a regular gathering of the world’s Polish heritage sailors in BVI. This year, thanks to Irma’s toll on the charter fleet, the attendance numbers were necessarily reduced. Based on the video clips we saw, the members who did go had a pretty fine time combining tropical sailing and Polish singsong in sail-oriented winter break. The rendezvous celebrates Wladek Wagner, the first Pole to sail around the world and former BVI resident. (CYOB will bring you some video, once the editing is done.)

We also discussed the state of sailing in Canada comparing the new trends I’d seen at the boot show in Dusseldorf with experiences here at home. The 50 or so members take their sailing seriously; they are keep their boats of various clubs in the GTA and Georgian Bay but share their heritage at the Jacht Club.

Our writer Katie Nicoll has a comprehensive piece in the April edition of Canadian Yachting magazine that will delve into the entire Polish-Canadian landscape.  It’s certainly interesting to explore these very active sub groups in our boating community.

http://www.whitesailstoronto.org

-JM