Rally in Toronto finds some very special sailors

By Eric Sunstrum, Rear Commodore and Port Captain

From July 4–7, GLCC members gathered at the National Yacht Club in Toronto for the Lake Ontario Rally. The “small but mighty” contingent of intrepid Lake Ontario boaters spent the weekend enjoying each other’s company, this time smack dab in the middle of Canada’s largest city.

The fun started Friday evening with happy hour and potluck dinner on the BBQ patio. It was a chance to gather, and hear about how everyone navigated their way to Toronto from their home cruising grounds.

On Saturday, the group was given an introduction to Able Sail Toronto by Karen-Ann Xavier. Able Sail is a Canada-wide organization that provides sailing experiences to people with physical disabilities. This is a fantastic program that the GLCC has supported through a Great Lakes Foundation grant.

Karen-Ann gave a tour of boats, the Martin 16, with capabilities for hoisting sailors from wheelchairs into a boat. It also has special controls that enable sailors with disabilities to control and sail the boat. The capsize-proof boats were designed by Don Martin especially for sailors with physical disabilities and have specially designed seat adjustments and sail controls to accommodate a person’s specific disability. After the tour, group members had the opportunity to sail on the Martin 16s accompanied by Able Sail volunteers.

Karen-Ann has been involved with the program in Toronto for a little over 10 years and has been constantly modifying and improving the controls and procedures for allowing the Able Sale participants to enjoy sailing. More information about this incredibly successful program is available at Able Sail Toronto.

Saturday afternoon was left open for those who wanted to sightsee in downtown Toronto, including a few brave souls who tried to escape the heat with a ferry ride to Centre Island in Toronto Harbour for ice cream. Afterward, participants regrouped to cool off and share solutions for carefree boating at the ever popular Gadget Hour. That was followed by a lively group dinner.

Whether arriving by boat or car, every member who joined helped make the rally a success. Thank-yous go to all who pitched in, shared food, and brought a spirit of fun to the weekend. 

Events like this remind us that while boating may bring us together, it’s the friendships that keep us coming back.