Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club - Kenora

Special ensigns for Canadian yacht clubs came to an end in 1965 when the present Canadian flag was introduced, but Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club continues to fly its original special ensign on the port halyard of the Club flagpole with the Flag of Canada on the gaff.

1925 is also significant in the club’s history as the year the first formalized sailing training for Juniors was developed. Mr. D.J. Dinnen, a young man who had been brought up to sail in Britain where rules and customs were strictly adhered to, opened the first sailing school. He began by dividing the Juniors into the “Ports” and the “Starboards”. These groups raced against each other and at the end of the season they all sat down to write a formal exam. Mr. Dinnen wrote a very comprehensive training book that sits in the Club Archives. It covers all the details that young sailors learned in those days.

The 1930’s were a difficult time for the club. The depression had set in and club membership was at an all time low with the club in debt and the property in need of repairs. But as in previous times in its history the Commodore Patterson’s call to its staunch supporters was answered. Three supporters came through with enough money to pay the back taxes and get the club back on its feet. This revival also saw the rise of a new Dinghy class. This boat with jib and main sail was a big improvement over the old Cat rigged one-sail dinghies developing many good competitive sailors among the many new young members.

Unfortunately the 2nd World War caused the club to close for two years. But while it remained dormant the executive under the direction of Commodore G.E. Konantz was busy re-evaluating the racing fleet and condition of the buildings. It was decided that new 20′ “D” scows were needed. Also, the new “X” boats, a small sloop training boat was introduced. There was much enthusiasm from members. The August 1 holiday weekend was celebrated with the Grand Reunion Dance on the Saturday night. The foundation for the many successful years ahead was laid.

In 1948, RLWYC hosted the National Royal Regatta with five major Canadian Yacht Clubs competing. The Club’s first major victory was when light wind crew Bill and Gord Konantz and Gordon Chown came out on top. A renewed confidence encouraged the executive to try and renew the International series with the 20′ scow sailors of Minnesota and Wisconsin. The White Bear Yacht Club of St Paul along with the Neenah Yacht Club of Wisconsin returned to compete. Again Bill Konantz and his crew won.

It was 1958 when the new “Lightning” class of sailboat was introduced and the Club applied to the International Lightning Class Association for fleet status. At first there were local races with the newly formed Clearwater Bay Club and with the Yacht Club in Thunder Bay. Then as the Juniors became more proficient under the direction of Bill Brymer club members began to race elsewhere. Sandy Riley qualified as a Lightning sailor for the North Americans in 1967. Sandy also won the U.S. National Finn Championship, the Canadian Finn Championship as well as the first race at the 1976 Olympic Games held in Kingston. Stewart and David Sprague also represented Canada in the Lightning class worlds.

At the close of the sixties the Club was becoming a very busy place to be. In order to facilitate the need for a wider range of activities, a group of members struck a committee to investigate adding Tennis to the Club’s infrastructure.

At this time the clubhouse did not have a phone, and the building and grounds operated with the help of an old and tired Diesel generator. Forward thinking members successfully lead the Club through one of the first great expansions in its more recent history.

The early seventies saw the addition of 2 tennis courts being constructed. Along with that came a landline telephone service.

With this expansion came the need to administer to the Club’s youth while the adult members played tennis or sailed. Thus came about the early Junior Programs such as Arts & Crafts, sports activities, and Junior Dances. Of interest in 1975, Tara Parkhill became the youngest Junior Chair of any Yacht Club executive. All junior programs came under her guidance to enhance the needs of our youngest members.

Also in 1975 Peter Isaac raced in Australia and also represented the Club in the World Laser Regatta in the Bahamas. Peter along with Ian Peggs, Iain Smith and Gord Konantz were selected to represent Manitoba in the Canada Summer Games.

The seventies also saw the beginnings of the Power Squadron Cruises. These great adventures allowed novice boaters to follow an experienced navigator down the lake to visit many historical and beautiful places. Picnics would be held at various interesting spots on each cruise as members explored our wonderful lake.

In 1977 the first ‘Yachtion’ was held and on the end of the gavel was Laverne Fyke who over many years helped secure the Club much of the funding needed for upkeep and change.

Sailing instruction was re-worked in order to fit the needs of the times. Both the demographics of those attending and the boats used were changing. The Club adopted the Canadian Yachting Association’s Lean to Sail Program in which 58 students learned sailing theory and its practical applications. The Club hosted the under 16 Championship Regatta for the Manitoba Sailing Association.

In 1982 the RLWYC became a corporation without share capital, operated by it’s members through it’s executive. This initiative was taken in order to streamline the operations of the Club. In 1983 the RLWYC was the leading supporter among Canadian Yacht Clubs on a per capita basis towards Canada’s challenge to the America’s Cup.

In 1984 the Club hosted the Laser IV Regatta. The Yacht Club Dance held every August long weekend continued to raise fund’s much needed that went towards things like the new front staircase into the Club. This upgrade along with 2 new floating docks much improved the safety and the appearance of the Club.

1985 saw a long season for tennis with the courts opening May 18 and closing on Thanksgiving weekend. The District IV Laser and the Laser IV Regatta’s were both hosted by the Club. Four Laser 2’s were purchased.

In 1986 four more Laser 2’s were bought and 59 members enjoyed Sailing classes. The District Laser and Laser 2 Championships were hosted.

In 1988 the Club introduced its Promo-wear clothing and accessories. Members now had Club crested articles for all occasions. Four more new sailboats were added to the Club Fleet.

In 1989 a Canadian Yachting Association Travelling Instructor visited the RLWYC. The Sailing program and the Club were very busy with 60 students under instruction. The Club held 41 races at 16 different event and 2 Invitational Regatta’s were hosted. The Tennis program had 50 juniors and 29 senior members participating.

With the growing enjoyment of Tennis at the Club 1990 saw the addition of 2 more courts, a new tennis deck and a new surface and fence for the old courts. New washroom facilities and a new septic field were also added. The first Overwater Golf Tournament and fish fry fundraiser was held to the enjoyment of many club members. Sailing instruction now had 20 adults participating and Tennis Pro’s instructed 30 senior and 71 Junior’s in their programs.

1991 was a banner year for the RLWYC. Members attended 147 events in 60 days. Over 100 adult & junior sailors were under instruction. Many sailors participated in events outside the Club. Of note were:

The Club also hosted the MSA MIST Camp 91 with 45 young sailors in the 5-day race camp. Another visit by the CYA’s Sail Training Advisor drew this quote “Your program seems highly organized, well delivered and safe. Very impressive”

1995 saw the introduction of junior and senior Sailing Teams complete with dedicated coaches. The Club hosted the District IV and Laser Grand Prix as well as the Western Canadian Intermediate Championships. The Junior Tennis Program had over 100 participants.

In 1997 Sailing had over 140 juniors participating and the Club hosted the Manitoba Optimist Championships.

In 1999 the two oldest tennis courts were rebuilt. By the turn of the Millennium the RLWYC had progressed from a small group of like minded families to a Club strongly represented in the International Sailing community.

In 2000 the Club’s sailors were once again out on the international waters with some outstanding results. Royden Brousseau became the number 1 optimist sailor in Canada. Royden also won the 15 and under Manitoba Provincial Races. Raif Richardson became the number 1 Radial Sailor in Canada. Scott Brousseau won the provincial 13 and under championships. Bryce Brousseau won the 10 and under Provincial Championships, and Roy McLaughlin won the Western Intermediate Championships.

While the year 2000 saw all the Club activities running at full capacity, plans were being formulated to lay the groundwork for a major Capital Campaign that would tie into the Clubs upcoming 100th Anniversary as well as see the Club well on it’s way into this new millennium. Talk was heard of a complete refurbishing and an expansion including a Sailing Center, all to be re-opened with a Royal visit. What a grand plan. Who would lead and how many would follow?