2026 April Launch Weekend
Registration is now open to all GLCC members to attend the GLCC April Launch Weekend, April 10 – 12, 2026 in Grand Bend, Ontario (H-4).
Spring is coming and by mid-April, the ice will be out and we will all be ready to launch into another season of cruising our beautiful Great Lakes. Why not join your fellow GLCC boaters for some pre-season socializing at our annual April Launch Weekend. This year, our event will be held April 10 – 12, 2026 in Grand Bend, Ontario (H-4) at the Oakwood Resort. The Oakwood Resort offers a wide range of amenities including indoor saltwater pool, fitness centre and 9-hole golf course if you want to shake the winter cobwebs out of your game.
We have a good weekend planned.
Click here to register.
April 10th - Friday:
Everyone knows that if two sailboats are cruising in the same direction, what happens? Well, it’s a race of course! While we can’t race our boats in April, we can race professional go karts!
Join this optional Friday afternoon (planned for 4pm) activity at the Grand Bend Speedway where we’ll race each other for bragging rights. Discounted rate for GLCC members is $27USD which includes a helmet, a drivers’ meeting before you get behind the wheel, a pace lap, the race and the “play off” race to determine winner. Refunds will be provided in case the track is wet.
Friday evening gather in Oakwood’s attractive Terrace Room for socializing with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
April 11th - Saturday
Saturday morning, the Great Lakes Cruising Club and the Great Lakes Foundation will be holding our board meeting in the Terrace Room at 9:00am. A continental breakfast will be available and all are welcome to attend and see how your club functions.
In the afternoon, joins us at the Lambton County Heritage Museum where you will be able to journey through Lambton County’s interesting past. Every community is proud of their history and Grand Bend / Lambton County is no exception. From its modest start in 1978, Lambton County Heritage Museum has grown to an extensive collection exploring Indigenous heritage, agricultural innovation, the oil boom and the influence of Lake Huron on this lakeside county. Admission to the museum is included with your weekend fee.
After touring the museum, take a short drive to the delightful town of Bayfield renowned for its attractive downtown and interesting shops and restaurants.
We’ll round out the day’s activities and gather in Oakwood’s Terrace Room for a sumptuous buffet dinner preceded by a cash bar and time for more socializing. We are planning a program focused on “The Journey to Duluth / Superior” for our premier event of the year, the 2026 Rendezvous set for July 10 – 14 at the far west end of Lake Superior.
April 12th - Sunday
Breakfast will be available in the resort’s restaurant. Guests will be able to continue to utilize the Resorts amenities.
Book your rooms directly with Oakwood Resort at $189Cdn plus taxes / night by contacting them at +1(519) 238 2324 or at oakwood@oakwoodresort.ca.
The fee for the weekend is $115USD/pp with an option for exciting professional go-kart racing Friday afternoon for $27USD/pp.
Click here to register.
Contact Rear Commodore Dave Spencer at spencerdd@gmail.com if you have questions.