Canadian Yachting — June 2017

8 Canadian Yachting JUNE 2017

behind,” reminisced Mrs. Ibbotson. The wives then promptly
hopped on a plane to Hawaii arriving in time to make leis for all
the crew and learn the art of being a hip-swaying wahinis.... All
in good fun.
Their very active and evolving Junior Program has taken off
like gangbusters. Open to the entire community, over 200
youths between the ages of 8 and 18 are able to train in
Optimists and Flying Junior Dinghies every summer. Adult
classes are held in Martin 242s. Not only does everyone learn
the “ropes” about sailing boats, but there are also tides and wind
conditions to consider. The Fat Cat boat was recently purchased
from the Oak Bay Marine Group for $1 and is currently being
spruced up and retrofitted by club members for the Sailing as
well as Racing programs.
Although the club does not have its own docks, they have a
wonderful partnership with the North Saanich Marina. Club
members receive a 5% discount on annual moorage fees for
boats 20-70 feet in length and can enjoy access to all four Oak
Bay Marine Group Marinas. Both 15 and 50 amp power is avail-

able with a fuel dock at the north end of

the bay and pump outs at VanIsle Marina.

SNSYC offers washrooms, showers, a well-equipped workshop

and dining room that is open Wednesday-Sunday. The yacht

club house is situated between the north and south docks with

a separate reciprocal dock on the south dock along with the jun-

ior sailing boats.

These boaters sure know how to enjoy their time on the

water – just ask anyone about the Old Salts race and you’ll get

an earful from hearty competitors who don’t let racing rules get

in the way of having a great time in Flying Juniors and Lasers.

In-between the two race legs, each boat must land at the

dock and the crew consume an adult beverage. Sounds a bit

rowdy to me for “old salts”, but then again, what’s not to

like about this group from Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club?

Come join the fun. •

Sidney North Saanich YC; 1949 Marina Way

(off MacDonald Park Road); North Saanich, BC

Mailing address: PO Box 2521, Sidney, BC V9L 4B

250-656-4600 • [email protected] • http://www.snsyc.ca

Left:Sailing school students head out for a day on the water.

Below: Weeknight racing. Photos: John Philion

Above:The clubhouse in spring

Left:Summer relaxing on the

clubhouse deck. Photos: John Philion