News

  • 03 Nov 2023 5:04 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    IMPORTANT: AGM date announcement and poll

    Our AGM is happening on Sunday November 19th.  Several members have expressed that they would like to return to in person meetings at the Water Rat clubhouse. We'd like to know what you think. Please indicate your preference on our poll.  Note: you need to sign in as a member to vote.

    We'll need 15% of membership to agree to an in-person meeting to carry forward with that option. Location will be announced on November 9.

    Join us at our holiday party!

    We'll be having a holiday party this year. It will take place on December 1 at 7 pm at The Keating Channel Pub. Tickets are $45 and you can buy them on the Water Rat website

    Volunteer hours

    Water Rats has a work, pay, or play system where members are required to contribute 10 volunteer/play hours per year. Hours that were not completed are charged at $30 per hour on the 2024 renewal invoice. Please ensure that you have entered your hours on our website by Nov 30. Your current hours should be up to date on your member profile page. 

    Masts down for winter storage

    As a reminder, members are required to demast their boats by November 30. Winds can be strong over the winter and we’ve had boats topple over when stored with the mast up. To protect everyone’s property, we require that boats are stored with the mast down.

    Winter storage

    Members who would like to store a boat for the winter that they do not normally store at Water Rats may request to do so for a fee of $50. Winter Storage runs from Oct 1 to April 30.

    Have a great winter!


  • 22 Oct 2023 9:15 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Fall work party this weekend

    We'll be having our fall cleanup on Saturday October 28th from 9 am to 1 pm. The rain date is Sunday October 29th.

    If you plan to attend please note your attendance on this poll (so we have enough food for everyone). Note: you need to be signed in as a member to our website in order to respond.

    AGM announcement

    Save the date! Our AGM will be Sunday November 19. Like previous years, this will be a virtual meeting. More details will be announced soon. 

    Volunteer hours

    Water Rats has a work, pay, or play system where members are required to contribute 10 volunteer/play hours per year. Hours that were not completed are charged at $30 per hour on the 2024 renewal invoice. Please ensure that you have entered your hours on our website by Nov 30. Hours that are not entered using the form will not be counted.

    Look for an email with your digital key

    If you haven’t signed up for your digital key yet, please watch your email for your invitation to download your digital key. It will be titled Your invitation to Water Rat Sailing from SALTO Keys as a Service. The link in the email will expire 3 days after you receive it, so if you are able to register within that timeframe it would be helpful.

    Once you have created your account, please download the Salto KS app on your phone and then you can log in and download your digital key. Many smart watches also support digital keys. To access the locks, open the Salto KS app on your phone and hold your phone to the lock.

    Key return

    In the clubhouse there is a box for key return. Please write your name on an envelope and place your keys inside. We will discount your membership on renewal based on the number of keys returned. We also need a volunteer to go through the keys and record the names. Please contact Michael if you are able to help.

    Fob pickup

    Members who have purchased a fob on or before Oct 20, you can find you fob in the clubhouse in an envelope with your name on it. Anyone who would like to purchase a fob can still do so here. The fobs cost $30 and will not be refunded if you leave the club.

    Why are switching to digital locks?

    The main reasons we are switching to digital locks is to increase security, reduce administrative efforts, and reduce costs.

    Currently, Water Rats owns two sets of padlocks. Each year we do a key exchange, where we switch keys between padlocks. While not everyone is aware that this is our system, it provides little security. Someone who does not return a key, for example if they leave club, will still have access every other year. Over the years, we’ve “lost” 100s of keys, both from people who misplace the key, and members who leave the club but do not return their keys. The only way to keep this system secure is to continually buy new locks, which would cost around $5,000 per year. After accounting for the recovery of the fob cost, the electronic lock costs only $4,500. The savings are mainly because to keep a physical key secure, we would need to throw out the keys each year. Finally, our locks have a log on them. If we have a security incident, we can download the logs and see who entered the club on a certain day.

    Physical keys are also a large administrative effort. To do a key exchange requires 10s of hours of volunteer work and record keeping associated with it. It’s also a lot of work for members to come to the club and exchange keys. It may take you 5 minutes to download your new digital key, but think of this as your 2023 key exchange and every key exchange you would have to do for a long as your maintain a membership. Beyond the key exchange, there is a significant key effort to meet members who didn’t come to the key exchange, lost their keys, or left the club. Each year, 10-20 people don't come to the key exchange. Think of the amount of work to arrange times to meet all of these people. When someone leaves the club, we refund them for their key deposit. That means our treasurer needs to write a cheque, membership rat needs to get that cheque, arrange to meet the departing member and exchange the key. Each of things adds up to a lot of time that doesn’t really make the club a better place. With the digital lock, when someone leaves we can delete their keys in seconds, and instead of dealing with keys we can focus our efforts on things that improve the club for all members.

    We’re modernizing our system in a way that will provide security benefits to members, eliminates key exchanges, and reduces the administrative effort. No organization with over 200 members is giving out physical keys in 2023 and we're simply updating to the modern security standard.

    Masts down for winter storage

    As a reminder, members are required to demast their boats by November 30. Winds can be strong over the winter and we’ve had boats topple over when stored with the mast up. To protect everyone’s property, we require that boats are stored with the mast down.

    Winter storage

    Members who would like to store a boat for the winter that they do not normally store at Water Rats may request to do so for a fee of $50. Winter Storage runs from Oct 1 to April 30.

    Rules changed to reflect new key policy

    We’ve changed the membership rules to reflect the change to our electronic lock, removing the key deposit. This change shouldn’t affect any members, but we would like to announce it so that members are aware when the rules are changed.

    Who is interested in having a holiday party?

    Please answer our poll if you'd like to attend. Note: you need to be signed in as a member to our website in order to respond.

    Have a great winter!


  • 13 Oct 2023 1:51 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Fall work party

    We'll be having our fall cleanup on Saturday October 28th from 9 am to 1 pm. The rain date is Sunday October 29th.

    If you plan to attend please note your attendance on this poll (so we have enough food for everyone). Note: you need to be signed in as a member to our website in order to respond.

    Food will be served at the end of the event. We need 2-4 volunteers to help out. Please contact Barbara.

    Please bring rakes and gloves. We'll also need four volunteers with wet suits to take in the boat lunch. Please contact Barbara. 

    Electronic Lock Transition

    Our new electronic lock has been installed on the clubhouse door. You should have received an email from Salto KS to create your account. Once you have created your account, download the Salto KS App from the App Store. When you log into the app, it will download your new digital key. This is your new key to Water Rats! Once the key is downloaded, you do not need internet access to use it.

    To access the clubhouse, open the Salto KS App and press Use Digital Key. Hold your phone up to the end of the lock, and the lock will flash green and activate. You can then turn the knob on the lock to rotate the deadbolt. This lock functions differently from our previous lock; the deadbolt operation is manual. Currently there is a key fob hanging from the door of the clubhouse; if you have any issue with your digital key, you can hold the key fob to the lock to open the door.

    There are also new padlocks that will be placed on the gate. In order to ensure that no members are locked out, we are still using the old pad lock. Around Oct 28, we will change the pad locks to the electronic locks. If you do not register for your digital key by Oct 28, you will lose access to Water Rats.

    You must return your old keys. In the clubhouse, there is a key drop off box. Write your name on an envelope and place your keys inside, then place the envelope in the key return box.  We will be refunding the key deposits against the 2024 membership fees. Members will receive a discount based on the number of keys returned. We will not be issuing cheques for the return of the key deposit.

    We have a limited number of key fobs available for purchase for $30. The fobs are a purchase not a deposit, they will not be refunded if you leave the club or lose the fob. The main reason for switching to electronic locks is to reduce the effort involved in giving out keys, replacing lost keys, recovering keys from past members, purchasing new keys, key exchange days, etc. Therefore, we ask that members purchase a fob if they have a technological issue using the digital key. Our preferred method of access is the digital key, which cannot be lost and can easily be disabled when members leave the club.

    AGM announcement

    Save the date! Our AGM will be Sunday November 19. Like previous years, this will be a virtual meeting. More details will be announced in the next newsletter. 

    Personal items in the clubhouse

    There are a number of personal items in the Clubhouse such as wetsuits, PFDs, sunglasses, water bottles, etc. Please remove any personal items that you may have left in the clubhouse by Oct 28. Any items not removed will be assumed property of Water Rats and may be disposed of.

    Volunteer hours

    Water Rats has a work, pay, or play system where members are required to contribute 10 volunteer/play hours per year. Hours that were not completed are charged at $30 per hour on the 2024 renewal invoice. Please ensure that you have entered your hours on our website by Nov 30. Hours that are not entered using the form will not be counted.

    Men’s changeroom cupboard

    We would like to clean up the men’s changeroom. We are looking for a member who could build or purchase/install a cupboard to organize all of the items that are being stored in the changeroom. Please contract Michael if you would like to help with this project.

    Who is interested in having a holiday party?

    Please answer our poll if you'd like to attend. Note: you need to be signed in as a member to our website in order to respond.

    Have a great winter!


  • 06 Oct 2023 4:31 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Save the date: Fall work party

    We'll be having our fall cleanup on Saturday October 28th from 9 am to 1 pm. The rain date is Sunday October 29th.

    Please bring rakes and gloves. We'll also need four volunteers with wet suits to take in the boat lunch.

    More details to come.

    Who is interested in having a holiday party?

    Please answer our poll if you'd like to attend.

    Also: 

    New gate looks will be installed soon and a date for the AGM will also be announced in the next couple of weeks.

    Have a great winter!


  • 29 Aug 2023 12:52 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Paddle paddle paddle this Thursday

    On Thursday August 31 we'll meet at club at 2 pm and leave shore at 2:30pm sharp.  We'll paddle to along Cherry Beach to Ward Island for an ice cream. Participation means you get 1 play hour towards your membership!

    Water Rats Cat Fall Regatta coming up

    Join us on September 9 for an unforgettable weekend of cat racing! Prizes, dinner and a guaranteed good time. Register for the event here

    Not a racer? No problem because we still need a few volunteers to help run the event. Sign up here.

    Fall is coming!

    Although we hope there are many more great days to enjoy the water to come, this is a reminder to secure your boats and other property for the upcoming season.

    See you on the water!


  • 02 Aug 2023 12:53 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    August BBQ party coming up!

    Join us for food and good cheer on Tuesday August 15 at 7 pm! Attendance will count as one play hour, so what do you have to lose?

    We'll need some volunteers, please contact Walburga if you are able to help out.   

    Paddle and lunch on Ward's Island 

    Join our Paddle Paddle Paddle Group this Saturday August 5th for a paddle and lunch on Ward's Island. Meet at Water Rats at 10:30. This will also count as a play hour! Contact Shona for more. 

    Volunteers needed

    We are looking for volunteers to assist with putting blocks under the beach kayak racks on Wednesday August 9thContact Shona if you're available.

    Cat clinic recap and thanks!

    Thanks to the Olympic sailor Kevin Smith (Barcelona 1992 and Seoul 1998, Tornado) for hosting a great cat clinic at St. James Town Sailing Club all day on Sunday, July 16. Kevin is a guest coach at JTown (member of OHCC, Water Rats and Westwood SC) and this was the third time he has offered his annual coaching session on cats at JTown, completely free of charge. 

    Kevin's unparalleled knowledge was appreciated by all six students at JTown who passed their Cat 1 test on their first try thanks to Kevin’s methodical coaching and clear communication. Congratulations to Pablo Cazaurang, David Lewis, James Wallace, Jamie MacKinnon, Kelvin Lui and Reid Brewer from JTown!

    Kevin's coaching was driven by the “why” and focused on clean tacks and gybes, tiller exchange, getting out of irons, backwards sailing and fore-and-aft crew weight orientation. Kevin used simple sailing exercises, covering parking (stopping), simulated docking, capsize recovery and man overboard with a live person in the water.

    Thanks Kevin Smith for your altruism and for continuously sharing the joy of sailing with us!

    See you on the water!


  • 07 Jul 2023 10:18 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Club BBQ: Tuesday July 18

    Join us rain or shine at our next club BBQ and get a play hour! Free food and good friends!

    Electronic locks are coming!

    We will be installing our new electronic lock shortly, which will allow you to access the club via an app on your phone. If you have a partner or co-owner of your boat, please make sure that they are listed on your profile and they will receive access via the same app.

    Unidentified boats

    We have a number of unidentified boats at the club. If you have brought a boat to the club recently, please review the list and reach out to Michael if any of these belong to you.

    Bringing new boats to the club

    As a reminder, members are required to obtain permission and stickers before bringing any new boats to the property. Boats left on the property without obtaining permission are considered legally abandoned and can be removed at any time.

    Reminder – Lawn Maintenance

    Members are required to maintain the area around their boats. Please make sure that you cut your grass regularly. We have an easy to use electric lawn mower in the blue container which can be accessed with your Water Rats key.

    Trailer Storage

    Water Rats reserves the space closest to the water for sailboats. If you have a trailer stored within the first 4 rows closest to the water or along the Western fence south of the big tree, could you please move it to the back of the club. Referring to our map trailers should not be stored in areas M, N, P, Q, R, S, W, V, or X.

    Come and play with the big Cats at TMCC!

    We are "crashing" the Toronto Multihull Cruising Club (TMCC's) social sailing party and our cats are welcome to participate in this fun long distance racing. Beach cats from JTown and Westwood are also invited so we hope to have a nice little fleet.

    Join in Wednesday at 6 pm on the water between TMCC and JTown. No sign up needed, please contact Beata if you'd like more information. 

    Join the JTown Crew Bank

    JTown is a community sailing club next door to the rowing club and some of their members would love extra exposure to cats! They run a well rounded cat program and here is a list of folks interested in crewing on a cat. Let's join forces!



  • 19 Jun 2023 2:43 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Volunteers needed

    Join us Thursday 22 and Saturday 24 at 10 am. We'll be cleaning up the beach, cleaning out invasive plants and other grounds projects. Contact Heather if you are able to help out. Bring gloves, water and if possible a wheelbarrow.

    Our clubhouse deck needs sanding and staining! Contact Barbara if you can take on this job.

    Also need a volunter to move the new blocks under the kayak racks. Please contact Shona if you can help out.

    Paddle paddle paddle

    Join us for upcoming social paddle events. Your participation counts for 1 play hour per event. Contact Shona if you would like to add your name to the group list.

    Next Club BBQ: July 18

    Join us rain or shine at our next club BBQ and get a play hour!

    We need four volunteers to help pick up food, cook and do prep and clean up work afterwards. Contact Wallburga if you can help out.

    Our next fire ant spraying: July 5

    Our club will be sprayed for fire ants again on July 5. Please let Barbara know about any potential problem areas.

    Please help us keep our clubhouse tidy

    If you make a mess or see a mess, please stop for a minute to tidy up. We don't have a cleaning service, it's all up to members.

    See you on the water!


  • 30 May 2023 10:37 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This weekend: Heinz Gebauer Spring WAR Regatta 2023

    BBQ dinner on Saturday included. Terrific prizes, great weather and fun guaranteed. Register on our club website.

    Coming up: Water Rats BBQ Party

    Join us for a FREE dinner at 7 pm on Tuesday June 13. And get one play hour towards your membership!

    We need four volunteers to help run the event. Reach out to Walburga Groetzinger if you can help!

    And don't forget: Wednesday Cat Races

    We are "crashing" the Toronto Multihull Cruising Club (TMCC's) social sailing party and our cats are welcome to participate in this fun long distance racing. Every Wednesday at 6 pm sharp on the water between TMCC and JTown.

    Help us get rid of the fire ants!

    Spraying for fire ants is booked for Monday June 5 and Wednesday July 5 at 8 am to 12 pm. Please help in letting us know where they are. Send information to Barbara Anderson as soon as possible. 

    More volunteer opportunities! 

    Thanks to everyone who has help out so far with lockers, chairs, fencing and beach racks! There's more to do!

    1. Deck needs scrapping, mould removal and painting (4-6 people) 

    2. Cover, soil and sod for area formally tarped (6 people)

    3. Planting by boat ramp 

    4. Watering of big trees weekly til October 

    5. Removal of invasives with Heather.

    Contact Barbara Anderson if you can help!

    In the meantime, see you on the water!



  • 19 May 2023 9:54 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Club Crawl 2023 next weekend

    Feast like a king on a budget, coronation nibbles at each stop on Saturday May 27. 5 pm start at Toronto Windsurfing Club, work east to Westwood, 45 minutes at each club. This event will qualify for a play hour.

    Price: $20 until Wednesday 25th, $25 after. Register on our club website  

    Heinz Gebauer Spring WAR Regatta 2023 coming up 

    Join in for all the fun on June 3/4! If you don't sail, we need volunteers. Regatta price is $40 and includes a BBQ dinner. Register on our club website.

    And sailors, don't forget! After this weekend racing moves to Tuesday night.

    In-water clean up event next weekend

    Join us for an in-water cleanup (plastic, paper, wood, sharp rocks) effort in front of the Toronto Windsurfing Club and west to Cherry Beach on Saturday May 27th, 2023 from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Bring: water shoes, gloves, sunscreen, towel, re-useable water bottle

    Looking for more volunteer opportunities?

    We need:

    • A volunteer to pick up a load of new chairs and some post blocks from Home Depot. 
    • Volunteers to put blocks under the new beach racks.

    Contact Shona if you are able to help out.

    Please don't forget to log your volunteer/play hours so they count towards your required hours for 2023.

    Please move your kayaks this weekend!

    This is a reminder to move your kayak to its new spot by Monday so we can decommission some of the older racks. Contact Shona if you have any concerns.

    Ant spraying this summer

    Spraying is booked for Monday June 5 and Wednesday July 5 at 8 am to 12 pm. Please help in letting us know where they are. Send information to Barbara as soon as possible.

    New lockers in container

    Just a note that some members are having trouble locking the container. Don't worry about it, just push the lever down and leave it unlocked.

    See you on the water!



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