2023 Sailing Season
Grand Lake Sailing Association
With 100 years between them of taking part in and then running the Sunday sailing races, the current Sailing Association committee is looking for new or existing sailors who might be willing to take over the organisation of the races.
This is your chance to run future sailing races for yourself and other Grand Lake sailors, regularly or on an ad hoc basis, as competitively or as non-competitively as you wish, and in whichever parts of the lake are convenient for you.
The sailing committee is willing to provide any assistance you need. Please contact us by e-mail if you think you would like to try your hand at running one or more races this summer.
Duncan Vipond (devipond@rogers.com)
Terry Ford (ttford@outlook.com)
Sarah Pothecary (spothecary@strabo.ca)
2022 Sailing Season
GRAND LAKE SAILING ASSOCIATION, 2022 SEASON
Welcome aboard the 2022 sailing season! The breaking news is, based on the COVID-19 measures in place for our region, outdoor sports competitions with spectators will be permitted effective June 25!! This allows on-the-water sailing activities to get kicked off per the schedule below (also online on the Lac Grand website). As for onshore sailing events, the COVID-19 guidelines will be monitored and options assessed as the summer progresses. At this time there is nothing planned. Any update will go out to the sailing distribution via email (Please contact Sarah Pothecary if interested in being added to the sailing distribution list.).
Both sailors and non-sailors are invited to enjoy the friendly, informal sailing races held each Sunday. As always, all Grand Lake cottagers and their visitors are welcome to participate. There are typically about six Lasers, Albacores and Sunfish sailing each week on one of the three pre-defined courses. A handicap system allows boats of different types to participate. If interested in joining in, simply show up in your boat ready for a noon start at the location identified on the schedule (see schedule on the Lac Grand Lake website). There are no expectations except to have fun – and bring along a lifejacket. You’ll find you get all the support needed from the more seasoned racers to get started. If you require a little practice or guidance before coming out, feel free to contact Terry Ford. Terry has offered to coordinate opportunities to kickstart any interested newcomers; in his boat or yours. And if there is sufficient interest, some on-the-water training later in the summer is a possibility.
For non-sailors there will be race summaries and results posted to the Lac Grand Lake website following each race. Also, watching the race either on-the-water, or onshore at your own cottage is fully supported. For those spectating on the water you’re asked to stay back from the sailboats and avoid waves. (Note: the preferred way to pass a sailboat that is racing is to cross behind them at a distance, with as little wake as possible).
If you have any questions please reach out one of the co-Commodores Ian Maclaren or Duncan Vipond. Their contact information can be found below.
ALL AGES AND ALL ABILITIES ARE WARMLY INVITED TO TAKE PART IN THE GRAND LAKE SAILING RACES. If you wish to take part, contact the co-commodores:
Ian Maclaren, 613-806-2670, ikmaclaren@gmail.com
Duncan Vipond, 819-617-1091, devipond@rogers.com
Races start at 12 noon every Sunday. For a chart showing the courses, contact Sarah Pothecary, 416-365-3245, spothecary@strabo.ca.
If you would like to add your name to the list of people who receive e-mail communications about sailing activities, please contact Sarah Pothecary.
