Low Down Articles
Echoes from the Past
This article first appeared in the "Echoes from the Past" column of the "The Low Down to Hull and Back News". Reprinted with permission. See list of Echoes from the Past articles or search Low Down Articles.
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Centennial Year at G.R.Y.C.
During the spring and the early summer of 1967 the members of the Gatineau River Yacht Club (G.R.Y.C.) were very busy, not only with plans for their regular season, but with arrangements for a Junior Regatta on a national scale.
It seemed odd that our club, then only five years old, should have been selected by the Canadian Yachting Association to host such an event, but chosen we were.
We were advised what our responsibilities would be. There would be two-person teams from each of the provinces. The teams could be either boys or girls or mixed. Their ages could be from 14 to 18. A team was composed of skipper, in charge, and crew member.
For a week it would be our show. We would conduct the races. We would provide the boats (Albacores, then). Accommodation would be in members' homes, as would be the eating arrangements.
The great day came when our young guests arrived, being welcomed at our island club. Here the week's programme was explained - how the races were to be run, that mid-week there was to be a lay-day when all would be taken to the nation's capital for sightseeing. Then off with their hosts for supper and early to bed, because the next day racing would start for the gold, silver and bronze medals. Space does not permit a recounting of the week except to say the regatta went off with scarcely a hitch.
Came the day when the winners were to be announced - the team from Royal Vancouver Y.C. was first, Senneville Y.C. (Montreal) came second and Royal Canadian Y.C. (Toronto) third.
The medal ceremony was well attended by dignitaries. The local M.P. presented the awards midst loud applause. During the following refreshments a Royal Canadian Band entertained the throng. The week's "Royal" event was over. All that remained was the wish for "fair winds and snug harbor".
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Perhaps the reader will have noted that no person's name has been included in this narrative. Space, once more, was lacking.