Page 12 - Kwasind_May/June Issue

50
1968 2018
50 YEARS
AGM, and most recently “No Boat, No Problem” have been added to the activities. Upwards of 30 boats have attended the Rendezvous and in recent years CSS has handed out in excess of 50 flags to yachts that have participated in at least one CSS cruise in the season. The CSS has also sponsored and organized special events such as the recently held Cruising Club of America seminar lead by Sheila McCurdy.
CRUISING SAILORS' SQUADRON - 50 YEARS
Cathie Macdonald & Mary Brennan
50 years is not a terribly long time but it is a milestone and one well worth a celebration, especially when the 50 year old is strong, vibrant and ready to head into the next 50 years.
The Cruising Sailors’ Squadron (CSS) is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. In honour of this achievement a special logo has been designed by Susan David and you will see this used on correspondence and other items during the year. Indeed, the intention is for every yacht in the CSS to receive a flag with the logo on it which the yachts can fly as they cruise the lakes, rivers and canals this summer.
To set out some of the history of the CSS one could do no better than to quote excerpts from an article written several years ago by the late Bob Wilkinson: “The RCYC Cruising Sailors’ Squadron ... [represents] day sailors, racers, power boats and non sailors. This eclectic group follows a tradition that goes back to 1852. At that time some say, all were cruisers, who raced for fun....
...the concept of a group of boats which would gather socially on weekend cruises to other yacht clubs was formally launched in 1968. Following the success of a flotilla which sailed to Montreal Expo ’67, Dr. Ed Simmons, Dr. Doug Caldwell, Oliver McKeag and others met at Members homes over that winter to plan activities for the coming season. That year a Membership fee of $2.00 covered postage and other expenses. Activities included a cruise to Youngstown for cocktails and dinner, followed by a trip by water taxi to the Shaw Festival...
Over the years, many Members cruised to the Bay of Quinte and the Thousand Islands...meeting each other by chance at dock or anchor. In 2000, Colin and Wendy Campbell and Bill and Trish Brennan organized the first Rendezvous ...”
Membership is no longer $2.00 (at $25.00 per person its still a bargain) and Canadian Border Services and Homeland Security would look askance at cocktails and dinner in Youngstown and then a water taxi ride to the Shaw Festival! The activities which Bob mentions in the full article all have continued to this day and new activities have been added. What started as two or three cruises in a season has been substantially increased. Over time, the Winter Seminars, Pat Your Boat Day, the Winter Cruise, the Spring Dinner, the Spring Barbeque, the Backyard Rendezvous, the Fall
There are cruisers from the earliest days still actively participating in CSS activities and they have been joined by their children and grandchildren. All RCYC Members are welcome to join the Cruising Sailors’ Squadron whether a current boat owner, not a boat owner, a former boat owner, a wannabe boat owner and whether a cruiser or a racer (the Application is on the RCYC website in the CSS section). There are activities and events for everyone and CSS is so inclusive that even non-members of the CSS are welcome to participate in almost all activities.
We invite all Members of the RCYC to join us as we enthusiastically move into the next 50 years. Bob named some of the founders but we would ask that anyone else from those early days please come forward even if no longer a CSS Member and any anecdotes or history that anyone can provide would be welcomed by the CSS executive (please send to Cathie Macdonald cathie.macdonald@sympatico.ca).
CSS WINTER SEMINAR SERIES
On February 6th, Ali Bilgen provided an excellent tour of the Turkish Coast and Eastern Aegean Islands, from past and current experience, showing us the best places to cruise, where to charter, great restaurants and amazing scenery. For those of you who missed it, his presentation is posted on the CSS page of the RCYC website. Jack Rousell reminded us of a memorable past RCYC group cruise in the same area, and challenged those present to follow in their footsteps!
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MAY/JUNE 2018 • KWASIND
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