Belwood Lake Sailing Club History

Anyone who has “early” club material and wishes to dispose of it, please contact Dave Hull at 519-821-9972.
Photographs with names, dates and event details woulbd particularly be welcomed.

1974

May Guelph Sailing and Canoe Club formed by a small group of sailing enthusiasts. First Commodore – Frank Maine, First Secretary – Tim France. Membership $25.
June Facilitated by Frank Maine an agreement was reached with the Fergus Boy Scouts to lease part of their property at Lake Belwood. Opportunities for Youth grant enabled club to build docks and a motorboat at Fiberglass plant in Guelph. Ran O.S.A. Sailing School for 45 participants.
August 22 members.
Commodore Frank Maine retired, having been elected to parliament; John Liefeld elected in his place.

1975

Commodore John Liefeld; 38 members.
“Concepts and Prospects” document developed.
One eye on Guelph Lake site due to fluctuations of water level on Belwood Lake.

1976

Commodore Tim France; 85 members.
Car winch installed to pull boats out of water; later changed to a hand-operated winch.
Rubber matting used as a launching ramp.
Royal Flush (portable toilet) arrived. Sin Bin (storage container) erected.
It took Ron Winch 3 ½ hours to mow the grass!
Held Sail Power on new Guelph Lake with demos of sailboats, sailing, racing.
Ran O.S.A. Sailing School.
Ran Sailing Clinic for more experienced sailors.

1977

Commodore Robin Courtvriend; 100 members.
Decided to incorporate; developed by-laws.
Continued negotiations with G.R.C.A. re Guelph Lake site.
Scouts rented the Club the front half of the building. Partition installed.
First attempt to change name.
Hosted the Laser Gold Cup race, Hobie Regatta, and the Canadian Mirror Championship.
Active club racing schedule.
Three work parties had to move boats to higher ground due to heavy rains and high water levels.
Family membership $45.

1978

Commodore Burnett Derby
John Barry first on the lake amongst the iceflows, in his Laser!
Improvements to the clubhouse completed, well drilled, septic system installed with help from Wintario.
Hosted three invitational regattas: Laser Gold Cup, Qicksilver (Hobies), Canadian Mirror Championship.
Active club racing schedule. George Loney provided computer-produced race results.
Questionnaire re Guelph Lake site submitted to members.

1979

Commodore Bill Penistan; 102 members.
Sailing seminars held at Arkell Road Marine.
Andrew Ponson and David Kasha beat senior Lasers.
Club T-shirts and sweatshirts bought for sale to members.
First August corn roast held.

1980

Commodore George Bowman; 100 members
Flag pole raised; club flag bought; trophy case built.
Cement ramp installed in late Fall; interest free loans sought from members to carry club until membership fees arrived in 1981.
Family membership $48.

1981

Commodore George Bowman.
Held Canadian 19-And-Under Laser Championships; 45-50 keen sailors on one starting line!
Cruise to Belwood village began as an annual club function.

1982

Commodore Dave Clutchey.
Board sailors welcomed to membership.
Hosted Wayfarer Regatta.
Attempted to change name again.

1983

Commodore Dave Clutchey.
Junior membership fee established; pro-rated fee schedule introduced for new members joining later in the season.
New lockable entrance gate installed.
Old wooden docks replaced by black plastic jet float dock system – assistance from Wintario. Sea gulls took a liking to new docks.
October 15, club membership voted to change name to Belwood Lake Sailing Club.
Len Hull made a Life Member in recognition of his contributions to the club since its inception.

1984

Commodore Joe Davis.
Interest in racing declined (young racers getting married and having children – senior sailors buying bigger boats).
Cottagers reported speeding of club members on the cottage road; speed signs posted.

1985

Commodore Joe Davis; 85 members.
Activities changed from racing to social events.

1986

Commodore George Loney.
Rob Bowman sailed on Good Friday!
Storage shed erected to store club boats, motors, lawn-mowers, gasoline, etc.
Seagulls still had a fascination with the black docks!
Scavenger hunt a great success.

1987

Commodore George Loney.
Wire cables replaced with wooden barriers along entrance road.
New lawn-mower purchased; landscaping done in front of the clubhouse.
New clubhouse doors opened up on the road side of the building.
Corn roast with Ted White and his telescope.

1988

Commodore Don Fisken.
Club supported the use of environmentally friendly materials at the site. Recycling programme set up.

1989

Commodore Don Fisken.
15th Anniversary.
Plans started to take over the full lease and all the buildings from the Fergus Boy Scouts.
Interest in racing resurfaced.
Now took 12 person hours to cut the grass!
Family membership $90.
Club name finally changed officially to Belwood Lake Sailing Club.

Source: Belwood Lake Sailing Club Archives (A2008.38 MU839/840) – Wellington County Museum and Archives.
Material compiled by Tim France, George Loney and Joan Bowman, edited by Dave Hull.




Current Wind & Lake Conditions

2011 Event Schedule

April
17
Spring General Meeting 2pm
30
Club Opening
May
6
Newsletter Contribution deadline
11
Wed Night Racing Starts - 6:30pm
15
Sunday Racing Starts - 2pm
21-23
OMDA Weekend
29
Race Committee Training 12pm
31
Membership Deadline
June
3-5
Siren Regatta
5
Club Power boat training 12pm
12
Wellington Cup @ Belwood
17-19
Boy Scout camping weekend
22
BBQ after Wednesday Racing
27
Adult LTS Program 1 runs same night for 6 weeks
28
Adult LTS Program 2 runs same night for 6 weeks
July
5
Adult Learn to Sail Program
Tues evenings for 6 weeks
8
Newsletter Contribution Deadlines
11-15
Children Learn to Sail Program
24
Cruise to Belwood, 2:00 PM No Sunday Race
August
5-7
Dart Regatta
8-12
Children Learn to Sail Program
9
Adult LTS Program 4 runs same night for 6 weeks
19-21
Sirens Cruise Weekend
Date Change 21
Junior Regatta, 12:00PM &
Commodore's Cup Regatta, 2:00PM
September
1
Newsletter Contribution Deadlines
3-5
OMDA Weekend
14
Last Wed Night Race
18
Last Sunday Race - 2pm
24
Club Closing - 9am
October
30
Fall General Meeting
New Location - Guelph - 2pm
West End Community Centre
Impressive Promotions Community Room #2