November 4, 2010
Not Your Normal Regatta
Our boat heels and bow waves crash over her. She rides the waves like a rollercoaster gone berserk. Spray like shards of glass glitters in the tropical sunlight. "High side," yells the skipper, a seaman from Petit Martinique with the evocative name of Emmanuel Bethel. We scramble to starboard while "Savvy" overtakes another boat. It's stocky instead of graceful, solid instead of sleek. But it, too, slices the sea.
October 29, 2010
Vendee Globe… Countdown to the Start
Once in a lifetime, opportunities are sometimes easy to miss. I have been volunteering for Spirit of Canada for several years, so when I got the chance to go to the start of the Vendee Globe, I saw my chance and took it; missing this event wasn't an option.
October 21, 2010
Velux 5 Oceans – Day 3 and the harsh realities set in
A tough start to the 30,000-mile round the world race saw CSM's yacht Spartan cross the line in last place, plagued with minor breakages. But CSM, an experienced sailor fresh from leading a crew of 18 in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, has since settled into life at sea, clawing back miles on the rest of the fleet to move into second position.
October 18, 2010
Award recognizes impressive season of sailing
Sail Parry Sound coaches Andrew Parkes and Stephen Winkworth are the 2010 recipients of the Vic and Hazel Carpenter Award for Sailing Excellence. The award presented September 18 at Sail Parry Sound's annual general meeting, recognizes the pair's outstanding summer sailing season. After receiving the award, Parkes and Winkwork then went on to represent Sail Parry Sound at the prestigious CORK Fall Regatta September 25 and 26 in Kingston, where they had an impressive second place finish in the 420 class. They were first in two of the four races held on the Saturday.
October 18, 2010
Velux 5 Oceans – Five skippers begin the journey of a lifetime
Velux 5 Oceans – AND they're off! With the sun shining brightly and a fresh breeze blowing, the five international skippers in the Velux 5 Oceans blasted across the start line beginning a 30,000-mile adventure around the globe. It was the start of an epic voyage for the ocean racers, during which they will sail their 60ft Eco 60 yachts across five oceans through some of the best – and worst – conditions known to man. Thousands of people flocked to the Velux 5 Oceans race village in La Rochelle, France, to watch the brave men depart on their adventure.
August 10, 2010
‘Living the Dream’ at the Port Credit Boat Show!
Many of us just dream about sailing the clear, turquoise waters of the Bahamas or Caribbean. Many of this year's speakers have done just that and will share their experiences for seasoned boaters and those who are just starting to dream. From learning to sail, buying your first boat, taking the cruise, anchoring or heading the boat south for the winter or longer – the Port Credit- In-Water Boat Show 2010 has something for every boater. There are 19 seminars held over the 3 days.
August 10, 2010
Chester Race Week 2010 Gears Up
For those of you who are unable to be in Chester for Race Week, be sure to follow the excitement this week, starting tonight at the Rope Loft, in Chester, one of Mike Lovett's favourite bars. It is quiet now, just a few sailors rehashing last year's judges' decisions. And if you are lucky enough to be in Chester and to be racing here is some advice:
August 10, 2010
York Cup Match Race at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club
Great wind made for ideal conditions to run a double round robin, comprising 36 races, for the nine skippers competing for the Grade 3 York Cup Match Race at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on Saturday, August 7th. Hats off to Chris Cook, the PRO, for his expert race management over the weekend with course changes, square lines and perfectly timed races.
June 17, 2010
Atlantic Challenge 2010
This summer the sparkling blue waters of Georgian Bay will come alive with brightly coloured international flags flying from traditional French gigs as Midland welcomes the world to its shores for Atlantic Challenge Canada's (ACC) International Contest of Seamanship July 24-31. Centred in Southern Georgian Bay since 1992 this unique experiential education program has been teaching kids leadership and teamwork skills using the 38-foot boats.
May 31, 2010
Transatlantic Rally sets sail from Nanny Cay, Tortola, BVIs
Perfect conditions greeted the start of World Cruising Club's transatlantic sailing rally ARC Europe yesterday, as the fleet crossed the start line just off Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, at midday local time.
May 20, 2010
300 Sailors Attend US Sailing Safety At Sea Seminar
More than 300 sailors attend US Sailing Safety at Sea seminar in Toronto. A resounding success for the Royal Canadian Yacht Club! The last event of this kind in Toronto was almost 10 years ago; as such, a number of RCYC offshore racing enthusiasts, led by Carson Woods, took it upon themselves to organize what they believed was a much needed seminar for the Toronto, ON sailing and boating community; attendance at yesterday event exceeded their wildest dream yesterday when a large number of sailors simply showed up at the doors of the OISE auditorium, near the RCYC city-side facility to register for the event and boost participation to 300.
May 20, 2010
Diane Reid Enters 2011 Mini Transat 6.5
Diane Reid's first sail on her new Mini Transat 650 Ocean Racer announced that she is competing in the 2011 Mini Transat 6.50 (also known as the Transat 650). The Transat 650 is one of the largest participated offshore races in the world with upward of 100 boats.
May 20, 2010
Countdown to Lake Ontario 300
Attendance for this year's Lake Ontario 300 is well on its way to being another record-breaking year in more ways than one. To date there are 110 paid registrants, an increase of 25% from last year at this time. The total number of yachts competing last year was 172, which was a 35% increase from 2008. The LO300 has more than tripled in size over the last 5 years. Part of this increase is due to the addition of an exciting IRC division, a multi-hull division and a Single-handed division.
May 20, 2010
The Susan Hood Trophy Race – The Coolest Race on the Great Lakes
The coolest race on the Great Lakes is shaping up to be another great challenge in 2010. For some the challenge will be making it to the start line due to the low water levels on Lake Ontario, for others their challenge will be the unpredictable weather we are experiencing this Spring.
May 20, 2010
Hans Fogh Awarded Yachtsman of the Year
What a treat it was to attend the annual Yachtsman's Spring Thaw Luncheon on Friday April 23 at the Boulevard Club. The Port Credit Yacht Club was well represented with Commodore Peter Howells, Vice Commodore Fleet Don French and a dozen other members in attendance. The highlight of the luncheon is always the honouring of three members of the boating fraternity – this year the Environmental Award was presented to Geoff Hadrill of National Yacht Club, the Yachtsman of the Year for Power to Find Christiansen, founder of Bronte Harbour Marina, and most exciting – the Yachtsman of the Year for Sail to PCYC's own Hans Fogh! Hans is the patriarch of one of the three generation families at PCYC, with sons Morton and Thomas also being members and Grandson Marcus making his mark as an up and coming Optimist sailor in the PCYC Learn to Sail program.
November 22, 2009
CYA Appoints Curtis Florence CYA’s Rolex Sailor of the Year Award
Last night, during CYA's Annual General Meeting, Curtis Florence was appointed CYA’s Rolex Sailor of the Year Award during the Awards Dinner hosted by the Royal Canadian Yachting Club. Curtis’ two sons, Trey (16) and Jordan (12), were present to accept the award on behalf of their father. Curtis was able to make his gracious acceptance speech via SKYPE.
November 14, 2009
Paddy Boyd Joins CYA
On September 15, after an 18-month global search, the Canadian Yachting Association announced the official appointment of Paddy Boyd as Executive Director. Recently, Canadian Yachting sat down with Boyd at the association’s headquarters in Kingston, ON.
November 13, 2009
Canadian Yachting Launches Sail World Canada
The largest online marine news network in the world, Australia’s TetraMedia Marine Group, publishers of Sail-World.com, Powerboat-World.com and MarineBusiness-World.com has announced a strategic alliance with a major North American magazine publisher.