You could feel excitement and anticipation in the air at the Champlain Sailing Club as club members recently gathered for the final race of the season.
Not only were they looking forward to breezy conditions for the evening race, they were celebrating a perfect season – with no races cancelled.
In a time when so many activities have been cancelled or postponed, the sailing club managed to open the club, with COVID-19 restrictions in place, and run a successful season with sailors competing in each and every Wednesday night race.
There were 18 races in total over the season, with an average of 10 or more boats competing in each race.
“We have been very fortunate,” said club commodore Joe Fecht. “Sailing is the kind of activity that is well-suited to the physical distancing required right now. We’ve had a great turnout for our race nights and members have appreciated being able to continue sailing and get out to enjoy the sport they love.”
The small, member-run club, located on the shore of Lake Couchiching and overlooking Pumpkin Bay, has a long and storied history in Orillia. The club dates back to the late 1800s and was previously known as the Champlain Yacht Club.
Club member Cheryl Behan, a lifetime sailor who was born and raised in Orillia, is proud of the club’s role in continuing Orillia’s legacy as a sailing community. She is currently a member of the club’s race committee, which organizes and runs the club’s racing series.
“I actually started sailing on Lake Couchiching when I was two-years-old,” explained Behan. “My whole family (including Behan’s five siblings) were sailors. Back then, along with swimming lessons, sailing was the No. 1 sport in Orillia.”
Members of Behan’s family made up some of the many accomplished sailors who raced over the years with the Champlain Sailing Club. Behan trained with her father, Tre Behan, on Lake Couchiching for the Olympic trials in 1961, while one of her brothers raced with the Canadian National Team.
Gerry Pringle, who learned to sail from Behan’s father, went on to become one of the top Hobie racers in Canada and North America. Members of the Orillia-based McCrae family have also became champion racers.
“We continue to have superb sailors in the club,” said Behan. “This includes two of our eldest members, Hugh Rowlinson, 91, and Don Moreton, 97. They are both still active members and considered by many in our club to be their mentors.”
Behan’s race committee partner, longtime club member Rick Swinton, is also someone who Behan describes as one of the club’s extremely skilled sailors. Behan and Swinton are responsible for organizing and overseeing the Wednesday race series.
The event begins with a skipper’s meeting led by Behan and Swinton, who outline the weather conditions, race course and provide safety reminders to the competitors. Sailors then make their way to their boats and begin to manoeuvre for a good starting-line position.
“The start is crucial to a good race,” said Swinton. “It’s one of the skills that racing helps you develop. Competition is important because it makes you a better sailor – racing is one time when you’re forced to work on your skills.”
Behan describes the club as very collaborative and teaching-oriented. “If you race and you’re not having a good race, it’s quite acceptable for others to make suggestions, often over beer and pizza.”
Even though the club’s social events have been greatly curtailed this year because of COVID-19, members are quick to say the camaraderie and friendly atmosphere, as much as the racing, is what they love about the club.
First-year member, Ryan Carter, said he joined because it was a way for him to get outside and be active this summer.
“It’s turned out to be really great,” he said. “It’s very low-key and everyone is so friendly.”
Longtime members Andy and Bev Harris have remained active with the club even though they no longer have a boat.
“We love the atmosphere down here. You can’t get anything better than this – sitting by the water and enjoying the people – and the excitement on race nights.”
Competitors enjoyed friendly chatter following the finish of the final Wednesday race, discussing what went right and what went wrong with each other’s races. They paid less attention to who the actual winners were.
There is always the first boat to cross the finish line, but that does not mean it is the race winner. Official results are determined using the International Portsmouth Handicap System and are later posted by the race committee.
“We have many different classes of boats in the club,” explained Behan, “from small dinghies and catamarans to larger keel boats. Even with the wide range of boats, everyone can race together as fairly as possible because of the handicap system used.”
When asked about the future of the club and sailing in Orillia, Behan says she is very encouraged by the new members joining the club.
“What’s exciting is that we have a lot of younger sailors. They are very enthusiastic, they learn and develop skills very quickly, and they enjoy the atmosphere here.”
When reflecting on the successful race series the club had this year, Behan said, “We’re so happy we were able to enjoy another year of sailing, in spite of the COVID challenges. We look forward to an active season next year and another opportunity to welcome new members.”
