Established 1963
This page is still under construction, good to 2015. more to come!
Hollyburn Sailing Club has been an integral part of the West Vancouver waterfront for over fifty-five years. A dream of a few dedicated people in the spring of 1963, the club became a reality in June of the same year.
Doug Sutherland and Roy Holland met at that time with a group of interested parents to form a dinghy sailing club with the main objective of training North Shore children seamanship.
With the blessing of the District of West Vancouver and the West Vancouver Parks and Recreation Commission, it was arranged that Hollyburn Sailing Club could store dinghies on 100 feet of foreshore next to Ambleside Boat Rental.
The first Executive was formed under Commodore Des LeFlury. With an informal training programme of 31 families and 12 juniors, the club was on its way.
In October of that year, the club acquired its first “clubhouse”, an old garage. It was renovated, beautified, and served the club for seven years. The first Frostbite Series was started that November, with seven boats participating. By the second year the membership had increased to 75 families with 125 juniors.
On May 17th, 1964, Commodore Roy Holland opened the season with the club’s first Sailpast with 65 boats in attendance. The club was developing as a strong Sabot club, and in August of that year it was granted a second strip of land.
In September 1964 the club held its first invitational regatta from Dundarave Pier.
The membership grew steadily and under Commodore Doug Sutherland the club added another strip of land to its storage area. In February 1965 the club became a member of the Canadian Yachting Association.
More and bigger boats joined and without a ramp, the bigger boats had to be launched at Ambleside Boat Rental (The now decommissioned public boat launch, West of the club - ed).
The club’s first logo
In 1966, the club had its first major capital expense: by now it had developed a sound training programme that had become increasingly popular on the North Shore, and after a lively discussion the club decided to buy six Flying Juniors and five Sabots for the programme.
Under Commodore Deryck Thompson, the first attempt was made to build a permanent ramp. However, a gale destroyed this effort – but it was obvious that the club required a good concrete ramp.
In 1967, under Commodore Lorne Drummond, the club was finally successful in laying the first section of its ramp using concrete blocks, donated by Hooker Chemicals. That ramp became the foundation of the present ramp.
The new ramp was too short and the following year, under Commodore Jack Emslie it was extended as close as possible to the low water mark. Other fleets rapidly developed at the club, so that it was no longer a Sabot club.
The need for a new club facility was becoming more and more apparent and it was discussed at great length during 1968.
Commodore Ken Martin got the project started the following year, and with the addition of further land from the District, the clubhouse developed into its present form.
The clubhouse was designed by Procter Le Mare, MRAIC, as a small comfortable building that would be neighbourly and nice. It was built for a cost of just under $14.00 per sq.ft. The original building had a total floor area of 1710 sq.ft.. 1374 sq.ft. of accommodation on the main upper level and a rescue (coach) boat storage area of 339 sq.ft. at grade.
On May 10th, 1970, Commodore Gordon Shugg officiated at the opening of the new clubhouse.
Under Commodore Myron Balago, the club carried out an active sailing program in 1971.
Eight new Flying Junior sailboats were purchased, and the old ones sold.
The sailing program continued the following year under Commodore Max Jackisch with training programmes for both juniors and seniors.
Under Commodore Duncan Tennant the club facilities were upgraded by enclosing the lower portion of the building and providing storage lockers for members.
The club continued to operate smoothly under Commodore Werner Humer and the training programs had, by then, been successfully enlarged to include juniors, seniors and ladies.
The winter of 1974 and the spring of 1975 brought several storms, one of which caused extensive damage to the Dundarave Pier – as well as large sections of the seawall, the club’s own launching ramp, and a portion of the original wall in front of the clubhouse.
Under Commodore Bill Reid some 80 feet of ramp and 10 feet of frontage were replaced using heavily reinforced concrete. The new ramp was put to the test during another storm in July, without damage.
Activities got off to an enthusiastic start under Commodore Howard Fenson in 1976, with the largest turnout ever for Sailpast under sunny skies. The new Hobie 10s proved to be a popular addition to the club’s training fleet.
Safety boats and motors were maintained in top condition through a planned replacement program, and the Ladies’ Committee welcomed our new fully automatic cooking range.
During 1977, under Commodore Bill Harland’s leadership the club facilities were expanded by the addition of 12 rack-storage spaces for Lasers, and the East porch was constructed to prevent wind-driven rain damage.
The club was brilliantly represented in the Women’s National Championships at St. Zotique, Quebec by Melinda Straight (single-handed – 3rd), and Sandy Norris and Jan Proceviat (Skipper and crew – 1st). The following year Sandy and Jan represented Canada in the Women’s World Championships in Europe.
Membership and club activities continued to grow under the guidance of Commodore Duncan Whammond, and another 12 boat racks were constructed.
In 1979 Commodore Chuck Willet oversaw the old Sabot rack being replaced by an enlarged rack capable of storing 40 small boats. The ramp was extended to the low, low-water mark.
In 1980 Commodore Keith Danson-Brassey took the salute at the Sailpast in May, under ideal sailing conditions.
The clubhouse was re-stained; the grounds were blacktopped; and fencing was erected – giving a much-needed facelift to the area.
Clubhouse before the yard was blacktopped.
Two Fireballs and a Laser were added to the club’s training fleet in 1981 to provide students with experience in high-performance craft.
With Commodore Tony Boyd in attendance the first club overnight cruise proved to be a popular innovation, with a fleet sailing to Plumper Cove on Keats Island.
1982 saw female members emerge to take the positions of Commodore and Fleet Captain. Under Commodore Anne Baird two more Lasers were added to the club-owned fleet.
The three club Lasers were in constant demand for club events, which saw increased participation. Within two decades the training programme – the principal objective in the formation of the club in 1963 – had grown to 292 students.
The club celebrated its 20th anniversary in 1983.
The Sailpast brought together many of our founding members and past Commodores, who came to celebrate the occasion and receive Commodore Hugh Johnston’s salute.
Family oriented events were expanded to include a Family fun Sunday of novelty races, and a weekend cruised and camp-out to Furry Creek in Howe Sound. The Commodore’s Cruise followed with a voyage to Texada Island and beyond. An added fixture on the tracing programme was the Canada Day Regatta, endowed with a perpetual trophy and open to the public in all dinghy classes. The club Fireballs were retired and replaced with Laser IIs in order to improve the quality of our training fleet.
The club’s activities grew during 1984 under Commodore John Redworth: the club doubled its Laser II fleet and acquired two additional Lasers to round off the year with a training fleet of 15 boats.
Sailboards became involved in all aspects of the club in 1985 – including Sailpast – and four boards were purchased for classes. Commodore John Millen organized and ambitious cruise to the Southern Gulf Islands in which five boats participated. Junior members competed in a number of regional regattas.
The club recorded another memorable year in 1986 under Commodore Andy Baak. The scope of the training program was expanded and the club provided 1,224 hours of lessons on the sailboards, in addition to the 220 students enrolling in the regular sailing program.
Many of the club’s members – notably juniors – participated in the North American Laser and Tasar regattas, as well as in the Canadian Youth Championships held as part of the Expo 86 celebrations in Vancouver.
1987 was a watershed year for the club, under Commodore Tyke Babalos. After many attempts the club received preliminary approval from the District of West Vancouver for a lease with a total term of 10 years.
Plans to expand the club were drawn up by Jim Forward, and approved by the members at the Annual General Meeting.
The club celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1988 under Commodore Stuart Lamb, and a numbers of long-range plans and dreams were brought to fruition.
The long-term lease was negotiated, the expansion plans were approved by the municipality, and with the enthusiastic assistance of the many talented members of the club, the balcony was extended and a large new boat storage room constructed beneath it, while full-serviced change rooms and classrooms were constructed in the old boat storage and repair areas. This was made possible by using part of the capital funds put aside in previous years.
The “Forward Deck” was an instant success for social activities, and the creature comforts of furnishings and carpets donated by members led to major increases in attendance at club social events. Another successful innovations in 1988 was the appointment of a Summer Manager to care for the facilities during the busy summer season. To top the year off the training programme showed record enrolment despite the cutting back on sail-board lessons.
Tony Cohen was the last Commodore of the eighties. The final touches were made to the clubhouse and it was repainted in keeping with the Ambleside Rejuvenation Project initiated by the municipality.
For the first time, a formal budget was prepared at the beginning of the year, by which the club’s financial affairs were managed. The training programme had proven to be boat a sailing and a financial success.
The 1990 Sailpast was a “walk past” for only the third time in the club’s history. The wind and waves were too strong for Commodore Ann Watson to take the salute on the water.
The new pier at the foot of 14th Street was officially opened on Ambleside Marine Day – May5th, 1990 – with the club taking part in a special race started by Mayor Don Lanskail.
The refurbishing of the training fleet was a major project for this year: one replacement FJ was purchased and the others were thoroughly overhauled. New sails were ordered for the Lasers and new rigging for the Laser II. The juniors were very active, taking part in many of the club sailing events and outside regattas.
In 1991 the interior of the club was extensively renovated under Commodore Martin Ellis-White. The Forward Deck was recovered and the ramp received major repairs.
Social activities were well attended and the Sabot and Tasar fleets were particularly active, providing spectators plenty of demonstrations in the art of small sailboat racing.
Final touches on the newly-renovated club were completed in 1992. Commodore Lesley Kennedy was the fourth Commodore to have a “Walk-past” due to heavy winds and high seas.
The club hosted the second Canam Tasar Regatta with 25 Tasars coming from other parts of Vancouver and across the U.S. border. A fix-up and new paint improved the Laser racks while a reassignment of space allowed the fleets to remain close together.
Under Commodore Ken Reine, for the 30th anniversary many past-Commodores – some of whom were no longer active in the club – came by to renew old friendships and spin yarns about other sailing seasons.
The New Year’s Day races in 1993 were becalmed. Undaunted, the race committee organized an amphibious event: a foot-race across the snow-covered beach and around a mark standing in two feet of water! During the year we also concluded a two-year debate to amend the club constitution and by-laws to fit with contemporary practices. This was also the year in which we renewed our tenure on the land we occupy. On expiry of the previous five-year lease it was replaced with a five-year License of Occupation. The District of West Vancouver is better able to renew such agreements under the Municipal Act. The club was assured that the HSC is seen as an integral part of the waterfront redevelopment of Ambleside.
In 1994 the Sabot class continued its revival under Commodore Jim Forward, with some new boats constructed at the club and others purchased and rebuilt.
A fleet-replacement program was initiated and two used Flying Juniors were purchased, then upgraded. The racing season was successful with a good turnout of Tasars, Enterprises and Sabots.
The 1995 year was very active for Commodore Bryce Porter with major regattas in the Tasar, Enterprise and Sabot classes, as well as an encouraging training programme, and social events
Sound finances which were improved by a successful Casino event that raised over $20,000. This permitted an upgrade of the training boats and equipment, as well as the purchase of two new Pirate sailboats and the rebuilding of the Lase II fleet. The club hosted a well-attended national regatta for the Enterprise class, with participants from across Canada and the United States. The hosting – once again – of the Canam Tasar Regatta was very successful and competitive, and was enjoyed by all the Canadian and U.S. participants. Solid teamwork helped in the upgrading of club boats and facilities and in spreading the burden of running the club.
1996 – Under Commodore Denice Rose – saw repairs to the sagging front/Eastern half of the Forward Deck. Teleposts were installed to adjust foundation support to guard against beachfront erosion from storms and tides.
New kitchenware was bought. A two-year trial program on storage of natural-powered boats was begun in April, as some space had become available in racks and ground areas. The training programme remained strong and two more Pirate boats and Laser-IIs were purchased.
Under Commodore Peter Shantz two new Pirates and a new Zodiac and motor were purchased from the club’s second Charity Casino in 1997.
A paid Race Committee was tried for many of the summer races, allowing more club members to race. The Sabots and Enterprises continued to show the strongest participation. Many of the staff and students displayed excellence once again in the training program, and a number of students won or placed in local and provincial regattas.
A club face-lift was a major project in April 1998, with many members wrecking and redecking the Forward Deck before contractors installed a new vinyl deck and a new aluminum-and-glass railing.
Sadly Commodore Yvonne Connolly and her husband Kevin were to move back East in September and their goodbye barbecues were well attended.
During 1999 and 2000 Stuart Swain became the first Commodore to serve a two year term. Discussions with the District Of West Vancouver regarding the License of Occupation continued but nothing was resolved.
A number of our top students were coached to success in local regattas, and the clubhouse was extensively repainted, and received a new roof.
Commodore Mel Turner encouraged kayak membership in 2001 with a new storage rack and a kayak representative on the Executive. The License of Occupation issue with the municipality continued to drag on.
The year also saw an increase in spending funded by provincial government casino grants, for the purchase of new boats and equipment, as well as new Laser racks.
The great winter storm at the start of 2002 resulted in an impressive turnout of members to clean up the mess, rebuild the front wall of the Zodiac storage area (“The Alley”) and generally help Commodore Dan Campbell and the Executive.
Membership numbers increased with more active recruiting, and the introduction of the Co-op Boat Programme.
Club members went cruising again with a weekend at Halket Bay and a 10-day jaunt up the coast. Plans began to be made to celebrate the 40th anniversary.
The club celebrated its 40th anniversary in style in 2003. Commodore Norah Corbet was joined by 17 past-Commodores and 200 guests for speeches, awards, cake, and racing.
The occasion was organized by past-Commodore Dan Campbell and Fleet Captain Heather Drugge – who also joined the August club trip to Desolation Sound and who sailed back to the club in Mirror Dinghies.
Neil Carroll took the helm in 2004, and apart from a very active sailing programme he introduced Celtic music sessions to the club – a tradition that has flourished ever since,
With the help of a donation from the Mitel Corporation the club hosted its first Annual Invitational Regatta, in which over 25 boats participated.
The regular 2004 racing season was also very active and 24 racing events were scheduled. The main improvement to the clubhouse during the year was the installation of new double doors to the Forward Deck, providing greater access for people suing the upstairs area. Members also enjoyed a revival of the traditional Sailpast banquet – held at the Park Royal Hotel – and took part in a variety of social events. It was also a busy year for the training programme and a new initiative was undertaken during May and June: the club offered a one-day sailing program to schools on the North Shore, for children from Grades 6 to 12. Three schools participated. Head Instructor Daniel Cowan developed a keen racing team 12 juniors, and they participated in regattas as far afield as Victoria and Okanagan Lake.
The training fleet benefited from the purchase of two new 420s which were also used for racing. Ground space management was actively addressed and we saw a new increase in boats: 20 out and 27 in, and successfully placed all of the boats on the wait-list. The addition of a third kayak rack greatly helped the storage requirements of both the growing numbers of kayak members and led to the purchase of four Co-op kayaks, This in turn allowed the new kayak training initiative to build on a solid base, and a kayak instructor was found to provide lesion on Saturday mornings, The new lease was finally negotiated with the municipality – and due largely to members’ service and standing within the West Vancouver community – the club was successful in achieving very favourable terms.
Former Fleet Captain Heather Drugge assumed the position of Commodore in 2005. Under her guidance the training program make changes to the registration system, with bookings going through West Vancouver Recreation Services instead of through a volunteer member.
The junior racing team benefited from the purchase and refurbishment of a multi-boat road trailer to facilitate their travel to regattas. Our members represented the club’s interests at meetings regarding the Ambleside Master Park Plan, and were pleased to note that the club continues to maintain a central role in the park well into the foreseeable future.
Mike Cairns became the second person to serve two terms as club Commodore – in 2006 and 2007.
His first term saw some significant changes in the boat yard layout: the three kayak racks were moved to their present positions closer to the clubhouse building, which enabled the sail training school and increased – and safer – open rigging area. There was much conjecture about municipal proposals for a wholly revised ground plan for Ambleside Beach, the Park, and Recreation usage. The club was assured once again of continued prime usage of the area, with plans showing that the clubhouse may move to the North-West; a continuous seawall walkway running along the shore; a new boat launch area at the 13th Street Entrance; and a new much larger jetty at the existing pier, planned for a pedestrian ferry to Vancouver. During Mike Cairns’ second term in 2007 many new members – both sailors and kayakers – joined. A fourth kayak rack was installed and a Novurania inflatable safety boat was purchased, fitted with a steering console and a 25hp four-stroke motor – greatly improving the club’s safety and rescue capabilities. All of the club fleets – members, training, Co-op and kayak – saw significant growth and upgrading. Four new Vanguard 420s plus sturdy new dollies brought the 420 training fleet up to a total of six boats. The club website – http://www.hollyburnsailingclub.ca was expanded with the addition of a web-cam to enable members to gauge from their homes the wind, sea, and sky conditions out over the bay.
The club’s 2008 Commodore Bernard Besseling enjoyed the support of a dedicated Executive, most of whom continued to serve into the 2009 year.
Several disused boats were removed from the boat yard as part of the effort to provide space for the burgeoning number of new members. West Vancouver Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones was invited to attend the Sailpast, and for the fifth time in the club’s history the heavy winds and rough seas turned it into a “walk-past” The club’s strong record of community involvement and youth training programmes were recognized and applauded by the Mayor in her address.
2009 saw the first kayaker assume the role of Commodore: Steve Britten took the Sailpast salute in May aboard Lionel Tolan’s keelboat Penguin and entertained West Vancouver Councillor Trish Panz at the cake-cutting ceremony.
As with the Mayor in 2008, Councillor Panz praised the club for the role it has played over the past 46 years in teaching the children of the North Shore to sail. Thanks to a particularly hot summer and active recruitment in the schools, the training programme enjoyed another safe, and solid, season. Club membership also grew beyond budgeted levels, leaving the club in a sound financial position. Communication continued with the District of West Vancouver on both the lease extension and the long-term plans for Ambleside Park. The club took an active role in community events with a particularly good turnout in the West Vancouver Parade in June. The policy of moving old inactive boats out of the yard was continued and fresh storage and locker space was provided to new members. The clubhouse was given a new set of stairs leading up to the main floor and a fireplace was added to keep the clubhouse warm in the winter.
Bud MacKenzie took over the tiller as Commodore in 2010 and in the spring he took the salute aboard Dave and Louise Park’s keelboat Sage and was escorted back to the shore in one of the club’s inflatable boats to cut the cake with the members.
Bud brought about a number of changes to the club that will have long term effect: apart from inking the lease extension with the District of West Vancouver he introduced new heating units, new furniture, a new roof and the repainting of the entire clubhouse exterior. Seven of the older training boats were sold and two new 420s were added to the fleet, as well as a new double-kayak. The yard storage space was rearranged in order to accommodate the boats of new members. Bud enjoyed the support of a very solid executive who ensured the smooth running of all the sections. The project to standardize the membership database was completed and brought into operation, and revenue from an unprecedented surge in membership and the successful summer training programme ensured that the club finances are strong and healthy.
The year of 2011 saw major club improvements under the guidance of Ian Darling.
The demolition and construction of our new perimeter fencing, which our members built from scratch, was a large task made much easier by the help of over 70 members who worked tirelessly over three weekends to get the job done.
Digging new post holes.
New lockers were built under the back stairs to store long rolled-up sails and accessories. An improved sound system was installed to help with movie nights and dances. The new VHF radio base station has proved most useful to the training programme and member safety alike. The training programme saw the addition of two new 420 sailboats along with a new AB inflatable and motor. The co-op was revitalised with the purchase of two new kayaks and two stand-up paddle boards. There have been many social events such as movie nights, Wednesday night sail and dine, the WOW (Women on Water) women’s kayaking group, and a number of dance parties all of which have been a great success. The Commodore was saluted in May aboard Dan Campbell’s Mirror 16 during the 2011 Sailpast. Many members attended, including councillor Bill Soprovich who was presented with a commemorative plaque. In June the club had a good presence at the Community Day Parade with several kayaks and sailboats being wheeled along. We had at least 15 members partake. In July we held our first Wooden Boat Show. The show attracted many members with wooden boats and many members of the public brought their wooden boats to the club for the public to view. A committee was set up to focus on the upcoming development of the 1300 block of Marine Drive area. This development along with the revitalization of Ambleside, the Seawalk and Spirit Trail provide unique challenges for the HSC. A members’ forum was held to discuss these matters and a paper addressing the unique needs of the HSC was sent to the District. Discussions are continuing as to how our club will fit in to the big picture of the waterfront developments. The club finances remained heathy throughout the year with many new members joining. The club has had a great year with many more coming.
In 2012 the Hollyburn Sailing club continued to flourish in its 49th year due to a dedicated group of volunteers and an active Executive under the direction of Commodore Deborah O’Connor.
In December 2011 the HSC initiated the first annual Festival of Lights paddle in the club kayaks. It was not only a festive and colourful way to advertise the club but a perfectly crisp, clear night helped to guide 11 decorated bats to Dundarave in time for hot chocolate and cheer, after which it was back to the warm clubhouse for more cheer.
2011 ended with a great New Year’s Eve event hosted by former Commodore Steve Britten and his band Rock Paper Moon. Often referred to as our ‘house band’ they also grooved at many other sing-n-play evenings, including a British Invasion evening to celebrate the music of the Beatles. With the help of Tom Houtman, similar music and dance events were hosted throughout the year aimed at entertaining members and guests.
There was a big innovation on the technical front: a new electronic card-lock system was implemented, allowing the club to track member usage and eliminate the need for several sets of keys. With the exception of the inflatable boat “alley” the system was expanded to include all doors requiring locks.
The club stayed abreast of online technology and made increasing use of the website Forum as an effective means of communication, which helped to ensure the success of many of the club events both on and off the water. The HSC website continues to provide important and accessible information for existing and potential members, and was kept up-to-date throughout the year – complete with photos of all the club events.
The official opening of the summer season in May saw 30 boats on the water for the Sail Past. Commodore Deb O’Connor was joined by West Vancouver Councillor Nora Gambioli to take the traditional salute aboard a keelboat brought to anchor in front of the clubhouse by club Secretary Evan Jones.
In 1212 the club’s Co-Op programme offered an introductory course for members and prospective-members who have prior sailing experience and who would like to understand how the Co-Op boats work, where equipment is stored, how to rig the sail boats, how to get them up and down the ramp, etc. Through the year the Co-Op sailing fleet expanded to: a Tasar, a Contender, four Lasers, and tow Pirates. The kayak fleet of eight singles and two doubles was expanded with the acquisition of two new children’s kayaks, which proved to be a great attraction to the younger family members.
The Sail Training Program grew with the purchase of two new Flying Juniors and the sailing school introduced an OPOTI program for the growing number of children six to ten years of age. This bodes well once these youngsters are old enough to race, and a find example was set for them this year by the club’s Junior squad. They earned three first places at the SOSA regatta on Lake Okanagan, and several top rankings at the Commodore’s Cub at Jericho. Many of these juniors go on to become instructors, thereby making a valuable contribution to club community. We are very proud of our young sailors.
At the more senior level the club’s dinghy sailors had an active season of racing and David took on 120 Goliaths with the entry of three HSC boats in the Round Bowen Regatta in June. The Sunday race series saw a steady turnout with a number of new members joining the established core, and the Canada Day Regatta saw 13 boats go out despite the poor weather. The club kayakers were also busy and the Tour de Indian Arm race at Deep Cove had five participating boats from the HSC.
Several club outings took place during the season. Two dinghies joined HSC members on two keelboats to venture to Plumper Cove in some not-so-perfect weather, and four kayaks and a Mirror 16 made an Easer weekend trip up the Indian Arm.
Off the water the club played an active role in the West Vancouver community. We took part in West Vancouver’s 100th birthday celebration in June: this year the community came to us, as there was no parade but a series of events spread between Horseshoe Bay and Ambleside. Argyle Avenue was filled with people walking to and from the various events, and club members invited the public to come and have a look around the HSC. Our wooden boats, kayaks, and sailing craft of various descriptions generated a great deal of interest – as did the HSC Wooden Boat Show in September, where onlookers were able to inspect the handiwork of our talented boat builders and even to go for short trips on the water.
Through an active sub-committee, the HSC was well represented at talks aimed at the future of Ambleside: the Parks Master Plan 2012 final draft has the club noted as a necessary part of the waterfront community. Our input has provided a welcome amendment to the draft, something which should help to extend our lease well beyond our 50th anniversary celebrations next year. We shall continue to play an active role with the help of all our wonderful members!
With Steve Britten serving a second term as Commodore, 2013 was indeed a watershed year for the club: we celebrated our 50th year in fine style with a series of special events.
The club Sail Past in May saw the biggest ever collection of former club commodores and invited guests. Former members of the Executive who hadn’t come down to the club in years were able to rekindle old friendships and remember the many carefree times they spent at the club. Also invited were M.P. John Weston; MLA Ralph sultan; and West Vancouver Mayor Michael Smith. Rather than get all the dignitaries out on the water to take the salute, the large party walked to the end of the pier where they witnessed the impressive club flotilla going past in perfect order, As MLA Ralph sultan commented in his newsletter: …”the piper played his pipes, and the signal for the sail past began. Instantly, military precision was on display. Not only was each vessel in ruler-precise line, each was equally spaced along the ruler. How did they do that? These people know how to sail”.
Other 50th anniversary celebrations included a club invitational meeting for junior sailors and our Wooden Boat Show which draws in many members of the public to look at the wide variety of boats built by talented club members. Former Commodore Heather Drugge designed the logo for the club’s 50th year and s special range of T-shirts and mugs was commissioned.
In the buildup to the Sail Past and the 50th anniversary celebrations the clubhouse was re-painted both inside and out. All the old portraits of the club commodores were cleaned up and put into new frames to that there is now a uniform style among the photographs. Continual improvements were also made to eh clubhouse facilities during the year, and there was also some repair work that had to be done as a result of a storm that hit the club in December 2012. As always, the volunteer turnout ensured that the workload was handled quickly and efficiently.
The club’s junior sailors had a great summer season. At the administrative level two junior members attended Executive meetings on a regular basis: Matthew Baddeley represented the Race Team and Matthew Humer (grandson of 1974 Commodore Werner Humer) served as Junior Commodore. It was pointed out at the Sail Past that over 10,000 people have learned to sail at the Hollyburn Sailing Club in the last 50 years, and the club executive felt it was important that the younger members be fully represented at all club meetings. Our juniors also excelled on the water. Austin Stewart won the invitational regatta the club hosted in August, and the HSC was well represented at the Commodore’s Cup Regatta at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club: Robert Torok cleaned up the Laser Class; Brian Rojkov placed second in the Radial Class; and Branden Mamen & Parker Reid placed third in the 420 Class. These results bode well for the club’s future: we have a strong squad of juniors who are highly regarded by the other clubs in the Lower Mainland.
Away from 1326 Argyle Avenue, club members excelled in a number of fields:
· John Barker was presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his efforts at rehabilitating salmon inn our local streams.
· The club was well represented at the West Vancouver Community Day Parade
· Our Urban Oarsmen – Mike Bretner and Matt Sluyter – explored other waterways in the Lower Mainland. Urbanoarsman.com
· Club Summer Manager Bryn Hammett returned to his Class Afloat teaching job aboard the Tall Ship Sorlandet
· Our kayakers spread their wings (?) to Bowron Lakes and Clayoquot sound
· Rob and Kim Jones completed the Canada Iron Man triathlon in Whistler.
· Kim Graham and Tracey Ann Northey completed the Bay Challenge Swim from West Vancouver to Kitsilano.
The club lost a number of members in 2013: among them Sally Babalos, Bob Resch, Taylor O’Connor, and Trish McMordie. Our condolences go to their families.
The club played an active role in the many meetings and public information sessions run by the District of West Vancouver in its bid to revitalize the Ambleside waterfront. Three former Commodores – Mel Turner 92001) Ian Darling (2011) and Steve Britten (2009, 2013) – spearheaded a working group to promote the club to the District and the community. It is our belief that in the past 50 years the club has played a key role in promoting the Ambleside waterfront, and that – as West Vancouver Mayor Michael Smith said at our Sail Past – we expect the club to be around for another 50 years.
Roy Morford took the helm for the year 2014 and after some considerable consultation he cemented the five-year lease term with the District of West Vancouver, with the help of former Commodores Mel Turner (2001), Steve Britten (2009,2013), and Ian Darling (2011), together with current Treasurer Cameron Burrows, Rear Commodore Richard Howard, and Co-op Captain Don Smith.
Highlights of the year included an increase in the overall club membership to over 200, a healthy state of finances, an outstanding performance by the club’s junior racers, and a warm, long summer that brought many members down to the club and that resulted in the summer learn-to-sail classes being over-subscribed. On-water events were matched by many successful social events.
West Vancouver Councillor Michael Lewis was the guest of honor at the Sail Past in May, and the club took part in the West Vancouver Parade in June combining the event with a very successful open house. Another open house was held in September as part of the Wooden Boat festival and on both occasions many members of the public came down to look around the club and enjoy our hospitality. A particular social highlight was the granting of Honorary Life Membership to Lorna Emsile, wife of the 1968 Commodore Jack Emslie. Lorna has been an active social member for many years and we are proud to welcome her to that august group.
Sadly that group lost two of its members in the past year: Founder member Doug Sutherland died in December 2013. He played a key role in the early days of the club and encouraged many people to take up dinghy sailing. Apart from giving many hours and much energy to the HSC, Doug was also actively involved with the West Van Yacht club, the West Van Seniors Hiking Group, the Marine Trades Association, and Kitsilano Marine and Lumber.
In September the club lost another Life Member: Bob Hough. Tony Boyd, the Commodore in 1981 and fellow Chain & Anchor regular remembers Bob thus: “Bob was the most loyal member that the club ever had. He joined a few years after the club was founded in 1963 and was a member right up to the present. Some years he served as Measurer and Safety Officer and later on was appointed Vice Commodore. He had a hand in building the original boat house in 1970 and had been a hard working volunteer ever since. He built his own Sabot using the jig which we had in the downstairs workshop at the time and sailed with this fleet until he got his own Enterprise. This was our largest fleet then and it grew to a fleet of 26 boats by 1988. We had a busy racing and cruising program then, having a boat roster in addition to the Enterprises, 12 Albacores, 40 Lasers, six Laser IIs, eight Tasars, eight Wayfarers, and 23 X-class boats. Bob and his wife Vi were amongst the most active members in our sailing and racing program in those days which included a Frostbite Series in January and February, a spring Series in March-through-May, and then a very active Summer and Fall Series right up to November. He was one of the competitors in many of the races which were sailed on courses laid out between the clubhouse and Navvy Jack Point. In addition he would likely have been a competitor in our annual visits across the bay to the Royal Vancouver Yacht club and the Kitsilano Yacht Club regattas, and in the longer distance events up to Plumper Cove on Keats Island, the Passage Island Race, and the long distance cruises up and around the coast.
Bob was one of the founders of the Chain & Anchor club which provides past-members and old salts an opportunity to exchange stories and lies at their weekly lunch meetings at the club. They assisted in preparing this flash-back. One of the past members, Al Marriott – who sailed with Bob for many years – provided the following insight: “if I ever get shipwrecked on a desert island and Bob is with me, we will survive”.
In May we also lost Bernd Friedrich at the age of 75. Bernd had been a member of the HSC for many years.
Our condolences go to the families of Bernd, Bob, and Doug. May they have fair winds and calm seas.
Don Smith moved from his position of Co-Op Captain to Commodore and had a very successful year at the helm. West Vancouver Mayor Michael Smith was Don’s guest of honour at the Sail Past in May and the event was well attended by members old and new.
Don encouraged an active spirit of volunteerism and club events such as the spring and fall cleanup were well attended. There was also good attendance – by members and the public – at the two open house days: the West Vancouver Community Day and Parade in June and the club’s Wooden Boat Show that coincided with the Coho Festival in September. Club social events were also well attended: St. Patrick’s Day, various birthday parties, Canada Day, and Halloween among others. Don also constituted a permanent standing committee: The Civic Committee, whose mandate was to be an ongoing point of contact for all issues related to the District of West Vancouver, and deal with the Ambleside Waterfront Concept Plan and our lease with the district.
Thanks to the prolonged drought and heatwave in the summer the year turned out to be very successful for the club. The Learn-to-Sail program ran at near-full capacity, the club facilities were well used both on and off the water, and the Junior Sailors had a bumper year: they won almost every race they entered. Not only did they beat the rest of the field at the Commodores’ Cup but they excelled in Whistler, Vancouver Island, and in their overall performance in the BC Circuit.
The club lost a number of members through the year: Hugh Johnston, the club Commodore in 1983, died in the summer at the age of 89. Hugh played a large role in the running of the club in the seventies and eighties and was a key driver in the promotion of dinghy cruising, one result of which was the creation of the commodore’s Cruise, an event that is still popular with the hardy sailing core of the club.
Hugh’s greatest friend at the club was Bob Hough who died last year, and they are fondly remembered by 2005 Commodore Heather Drugge. “You can’t really say the name Hugh without following it with Bob. Bob and Hugh. Hugh and Bob. People at the club would wonder is that one guy or two. While Bob would fix something by carefully studying the angles, reading instructions and measuring things using a theodolite for accuracy, Hugh would just take a hammer, eye-ball it and with one swift blow, have sorted out the problem. I learned more about sailing and boats from Bob and Hugh collectively than any other two people on earth”.
The club also lost to the sea William Liebenberg and his daughter Maddy, as well as Len Harris. Condolences go to all their families.
Over the years, the club has undergone many changes. New clubhouse, a permanent ramp, its own fleet of training vessels, and an increased property for boat storage to name just a few.
Though the club has experienced these and other changes over the course of its life, the basic principle on which the club was founded remains today.
