organized to do it all over again my day of a counterbalance, harnessing all the wind
sailing, arranged through the Ottawa Sailing and speed we could muster. It was sailing
School (OSS), began on a 30-foot craft. It for my own amazement.
This
ended later the same day with me reliving Sailing clubs offer tonnes of access to
my youth aboard the smaller 420 sailboat boats, and if you wanted to buy a sailing adventure
that sits two. The 420 can get moving at craft with sleeping accommodations you
breakneck speeds, and I was laughing at wouldn't have to look far. Some percieve
will
the sheer rush of it all. (That's me in blue in sailing to be a sport for the rich and famous
the photo, left). only, this couldn't be further from the truth.
leave you
It all started at 8:45 a.m. after I picked up There are all sorts of affordable sailing craft
my nephew Ryan — who is taking sailing available including a large selection of good
lessons through the Nepean Sailing Club — used boats. Remember, unlike cars, boats
breathless.
to meet Ron Schute of the OSS. He drove don't rust out and virtually last forever if
us out to a place I’d never been before they are looked after.
(Pinhey’s Point) to be met by a great couple If one day you aspire to sail bigger waters
with decades of sailing experience. Denny like Lake Ontario or in the Carribean,
and his wife Brenda invited us on a two- experience gained sailing on the Ottawa
hour tour down the Ottawa River to the River will prepare you well. You could be
Britannia Yacht Club. the next local sailor already in transit or
We sailed off downriver and Denny planning their next sailing destination to an
answered all our questions. I had long since exquisite anchorage down south and only
forgotten even the names of the parts of accesibile by boat.
the boat and sails: sheets, jib, tiller, cleats, Ottawa Outdoors readers in general look
halyards, mainsail, keel, on and on. While like once and future sailors. Members of
Ryan was helping Denny, Brenda shared Ottawa River sailing clubs are out hiking,
the history of the Ottawa River with me, biking, kayaking and skiing when they’re
including the development of the local not sailing. It’s all about fresh air and being
lumber industry and how the river’s sailing at one with nature.
clubs came to be. It couldn’t have been So try something new in your outdoor
a better day, with warm sun, blue skies life. Bring the whole family and join the
spotted with clouds, and some of Mother fraternity of social, outgoing Ottawa River
Nature’s oh-so-important wind. sailors. (And send in your e-mail address to
Ryan and I took turns at the helm to enter our contest for a free sailing lesson.)
practise tacking (that means to bring a With every sunset reflecting off the Ottawa
vessel through the wind in order to change River you’ll be glad you did.
Trapise through the tree tops on
course or direction) and other skills — like (Dave Brown is publisher and editor-in-chief
monkey bridges, suspended walkways,
reading a navigational chart — to stay safe of Ottawa Outdoors and Calgary Outdoors.
Tarzan ropes and even a snowboard.
and have fun too. The day was ours to make. And a born-again sailor.) «OO
Sometimes we adjusted sails for maximum
LOCAL SAILING SCHOOLS & CLUBS
Finish the adventure with the ultimate
speed, and other times we put the boat in
Ottawa Sailing School thrill of soaring down the giant zip
cruising mode, making her calm and steady
www.boattraining.com 613-721-8683
as we sat chatting and enjoying the view.
lines. Fun for all ages with an adult
Britannia Yacht Club
Denny reminded us of a big bonus in days
www.byc.ca 613-828-5167 and children’s course.
of high gas prices. “Where else can you
Nepean Sailing Club
travel for hours and use no gas?” He’s right.
www.nsc.ca 613-828-4636 300 Dunlop Road,
The wind is free.
Kanata Sailing Club Chelsea QC
Around noon we tied up at Britannia and
www.kanatasailing.com 613-832-2762
talked sailing demographics over lunch.
Lac deschênes Sailing Club
Minutes from
I saw kids from age eight to 15 laughing
www.ldsc.ca 613-828-4697
downtown Ottawa
and having a blast, sailing under exciting
Ottawa New Edinburgh Club
conditions and safe supervision. There are
www.onec.ca 613-746-8540
courses that keep children close enough
819 824-5517
Rockcliffe Yacht Club
for a parent’s eye, and others for every level
www.ryc.ca 613-748-3005
www.campfortune.com
you can imagine, so progress and comfort
Club de voile Grande-Rivière
go hand in hand.
www.cvgr.qc.ca 819-682-2847
It was after lunch that I got to jump
Gatineau River Yacht Club
into that 420 craft with a guide, and off
www.gryc.ca 819-827-2122
we went. Whipping along on a windy
The Ottawa River Sailing Page
day, I was leaning way out of the boat as
www.sailquest.com/ottawa
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca OTTAWA >> SUMMER/FALL 2008 37
cf_ad_2.35x9.875_ott_out.indd 1 6/25/08 9:35:31 AM
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