Dunrobin sailors celebrate Bytown 200

DUNROBIN – Dunrobin’s Kanata Sailing Club (KSC) was Ottawa’s only sailing club to join the 200th anniversary of the founding of Ottawa celebration, and on the June 6 weekend joined the party by offering member-led free sailing excursions to the public.

Residents could sign up in advance and hit the beautiful Ottawa River for a sailing session and some pretty incredible views of the city itself.

Participants would have the opportunity to head out in either a sailboat or catamaran.

“The Kanata Sailing Club is an Ottawa Sports 200 partner, marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of Ottawa, back when it was still Bytown,” KSC communications director Deborah McPhedran told West Carleton Online June 4. “Free registration spots were gone in a flash, free is nice, and we’re the only sailing club participating. A handful of club members took fresh new sailors out on the mighty Ottawa River to get a feel for the wonder of moving under the impulse of the wind. They’ll get a little dry-land training first.”

West Carleton Online dropped by on Saturday (June 6) and while the wind was blowing and skies were threatening in other parts of West Carleton, the Ottawa River was strangely calm, with no rain in sight.

While every spot open for the Sports 200 event at the KSC was filled nearly immediately, a few attendees cancelled the day of, due to weather concerns. The KSC filled those spots with willing participants who were over at the neighbouring Ottawa River Canoe Club’s Sports 200 event who jumped at the chance to go out for a sail.

“Willing kidnappees,” McPhedran told West Carleton Online June 12. “They were thrilled and exhilarated despite the weather. They came off the water full of adrenaline. It was a great two days.”

As the only Ottawa sailing club taking part in Sports 200, part of the city’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of Bytown, the KSC felt this was the perfect opportunity to promote the small club located on the Dunrobin Shores of the Ottawa River.

“Serge Létourneau (KSC social director) is very keep on getting our name out there in a grassroots way,” McPhedran said. “We saw this offering from the city and said let’s do it. The best way to get people turned on to the sport, is to get them on the water.”

The KSC hopes to piggyback off the success of Sports 200 and bring in more new sailors and more new sailing students.

“Spots are still available for junior sailors, ages six to 15,” McPhedran said. “We are thrilled to welcome back both our senior instructor entertaining and training older teens and adults, with our head instructor of junior programs covering off all age ranges. Adults with little or no prior experience are welcome too. Without leaving the city, adults can enjoy a skill-building staycation on the water and go from zero to hero in a single week.”

Programs for new sailors run June 22 to June 26 and Aug. 17 to Aug. 21.

New members who sign up for an Adult Learn to Sail course receive 50 per cent off a single or family membership for the season. The beautiful thing about the KSC is you don’t have to have a sailboat to become a member. The KSC has a varied fleet of sailboats members can use at their leisure included with a membership.

“It’s a wonderful way to stay cool this summer,” 12-year club member McPhedran said of spending the season at the KSC. “I think it’s going to be a hot one. Why not use your vacation time to learn a new skill is what I said to myself when I first got in to it.” 

You can find our more information about the Kanata Sailing Club, including membership and lessons, by visiting their website here.