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| Paradise found right in our own backyard… okay, harbour! Port Credit Yacht Club general manager Linda Loach says WE DON'T NEED A BOAT to join the fun! | ||||
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story Maureen Scott photographs Steve Uhraney This paradise on the lake looks like a watercolour painting—almost 400 Mr. Clean-white sail boats and yachts gently bobbing in a quiet harbour. In the vivid blue, cloudless sky, the noonday sun casts rays against the sails so intense you have to squint to take it all in. A large sign reads; “Go on Vacation Every Night of the Week”. Where are we? The Florida Keys, the Caribbean? We are in Mississauga, just south of Lakeshore and Dixie at the Port Credit Yacht Club on Lake Ontario. Once buzzed through the gated entrance, the parking lot is filled with personal parking spots for boaters. Inside the club house a soaring stone fireplace sits majestically in a well-appointed dining room with its expanse of picture windows overlooking the harbour. But don’t let a 60 foot yacht intimidate you. “Anyone can join as an associate or social member and you don’t even need a boat!” says Linda Loach, Interim General Manager. “There are lots of social activities to participate in year round and we guarantee we’ll get you out on the water with someone on race night. Often people join as associates and finish the season on a boat.” The effervescent Linda strolls along the docks kibitzing with several “sailors” (not the uniform type—these ones are wearing golf shirts, khaki pants and boating shoes). One “sailor” salutes Linda, calls her Captain. She laughs gregariously. “We are like one big happy family here,” smiles Linda. “We look out for one another. Our saying is—you are never alone here. If someone is hoisting a sail, someone will come and help. You never have to worry about docking alone. Someone will always give you a hand.” Within 15 minutes of Linda and me meeting on the dock, a group of members had joined our conversation. John Grainger, an entrepreneur who recently purchased a home in Mississauga, is the proud owner of Hope & Glory. “I bought my first boat 10 years ago for $8,000 and came in cold—I didn’t know any one here. I learned to sail by following other boats. Then I signed up for the racing program; you have to be fast and learn quickly!” Linda and John tell me that there is a misconception that yachting and sailing clubs are only for the rich and famous. Says John: “It is not snobby. Fifty percent of the people here are working class. There are boats that cost about the same as a good used Hyundai to boats that cost a quarter million.” Ed Radonic had never been on a sailboat when he joined the club five years ago. He bought a boat and taught himself to sail. Two years later he upgraded to a magnificent 38 foot beauty he named Black Diamond, and sailed to the Bahamas. “The best thing about my job is getting to know the members,” says Linda. “The worse thing about my job is that my office overlooks the parking lot.” Currently Linda is multi-tasking; continuing to tackle aspects of her former job (she was the Controller for ten years), as well as acting as Interim Manager. After a busy work week, Linda often returns in the evening and on weekends to attend the club’s many social functions like the annual Sailpast or the Commodore’s Ball. This summer she intends to take sailing lessons. “Port Credit is known as a racing club; we have a very strong and active race program” says Linda. “Monday night is for the more casual racers, Wednesday nights are for the more serious racers, and Thursdays are J24 race nights. These diehards keep their boats on the hard, or land, and have to launch when they want to sail.” Each summer the Club hosts the Susan Hood Trophy Race, and acts as the sponsoring club for the Lake Ontario 300 Challenge Race (which covers 300 nautical miles) and the Lake Ontario Short Handed Racing Series. “Sailboats are more popular right now; we have about a 70/30% split, but it wasn’t always that way,” says Linda. “Many of our newest members are families with young children who have signed up for the Learn to Sail program.” The Port Credit Yacht Club was founded in 1936. The facilities are open year round for social events and a small handful of members are “year-round boaters”. “We are known as the friendliest yacht club on the Lake!” smiles Linda. “Why don’t you buy a boat and come join us?” Temping, very temping! Driving out of the parking lot, I start thinking about possible names for my dream boat. “Hope & Story”... “Writer’s Wish”... ah, I have it... ”Write On!” GL |
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