News

  • 17 Nov 2020 9:39 AM | Matthew Burpee


    2:00pm, Sunday, November 22

    Please RSVP on website at http://waterrats.ca/event-4043413 The virtual AGM details and private link to the Zoom call will only shared by email.

    We ask that you get ready in advance. Please download and setup the virtual meeting software from https://Zoom.us. We will be using the polling function within the application. How to use Zoom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i-NA563Ojk

    Please contact us or reach out to others in the Facebook Group if you need help or have any questions.

    Thank you


  • 10 Nov 2020 8:39 PM | Bruce Hanson


    Help us Keep Ontario Beautiful (our little part of it):

    Mowing leaves into mulch:

    - last call, quick pass with the mowers to get the last of the leaves, including outside the front gate

    Removal of invasives:

    - dig out 2 dozen phragmites on the wild spit

    - cut down a big buckthorn, uproot a few babies on western bank

    - dig out isolated knotweed babies from the sand by the ramp


  • 07 Nov 2020 3:58 PM | Matthew Burpee

    We need your opinion! Waterfront Toronto has recently released a Marine Use Strategy that includes a proposal for public marine transportation services (water taxi or seabus) to facilitate access to points throughout the Outer Harbour - with a stop at our club.

    While the proposed public transportation service is a great way to provide more access to the points indicated on the map such as M6 (Cherry Beach), M7(Water Rats) and M8 (Leslie Spit) on page 19, it doesn't address the concern for the safety and security of recreational water users (including sailors and kayakers and their boats). It is also lacking consideration of other options to provide access, such as improvements to existing transportation routes (i.e.: lighting on Goodman Trail), augmented TTC bus service along Unwin Rd, or increased bike share locations.

    Waterfront Toronto is asking for comments on their plans. Please take some time this weekend to review the proposal and complete the survey before it closes on this MONDAY, NOVEMBER 9th. Let's make sure that our concerns are taken into consideration.

    Proposed PlanThe Survey

    Thank you Dianne Davis for bringing this to our attention. 

    Check our Facebook discussion as well. 

    See you online at the AGM on Nov 22 at 2pm, and safely on the water in 2021. 

  • 04 Nov 2020 12:25 PM | Matthew Burpee


    We recently took advantage of the lake being low to remove gravel on a beach, and level up some puddle spots.

  • 19 Oct 2020 2:06 PM | Bruce Hanson
    • approx. half an hour (earn credit for one volunteer hour)

    • 2 meter spacing with masks

    • on-shore work, feet stay dry

    • help to slide one dock on top of another


  • 28 Sep 2020 7:03 PM | Matthew Burpee

    Race Results (PDF) | Photo Gallery Event on Facebook | Instagram


    By Beata Sejane, race organizer, and Jonathan Lazdins

    To many, 2020 has presented challenges unlike any in recent history. But the positive spirits and can-do attitude of cat sailors, sponsors and organizers at Water Rats Sailing Club contributed to another successful Regatta. Water Rats hosted the Water Cats Fall Regatta on September 26 & 27. Twenty-four (24) catamarans competed in light to medium air on the first day with strong breeze on the final day. The sun and the beautiful skyline of Toronto were shining along with all those who contributed to the event by supporting the sport. It revealed the remarkable passion, enthusiasm and love for sailing that is present in the sailing community in Toronto.

    It is hard to find words to thank the large team of volunteers who dedicated their time and efforts who made this Regatta successful, Fogh Marine and North Sails taking the lead. A special thank you goes to Morten Fogh, Geoffrey Moore and Louisa Bobyk.

    Huge thank you to Race Committee Maxim Newby, Jimmy Sabourin, Kevin Smith, Peter Eagar, Andrew Mahoney, Rahm De-Undergrad and David Chennels; Race Chairs Beata Sejane and Marvin Coulson; Communications Matthew Burpee and Ed Young; Results Dan Borg, Rahm De-Undergrad and Marty Vandenberg; Weekly race practice Jimmy Sabourin and Dan Borg; OHCC, JTown and Westwood Sailing Clubs for extra crash/pin boats; Jessica Lee, Michael Williamson, Kate McMurray, Dean Goodwin, Murray Kibler for awesome photos and videos; Benoit Friolet, Jessica Lee, Mike Doell and Ray Davies for terrific rescue/race support; Greg Brothers for purchasing and delivering 15 gallons of gas; and a very special shoutout to Robert Wessel for lending us his big cat to be used as a Committee Boat. Thanks to everyone from near and far who came out to make this event a success, from Burlington Beach Catamaran Club, Westwood Sailing Club, Outer Harbour Centerboard Club, St. James Town Sailing Club, Toronto Multihull Cruising Club, Etobicoke Yacht Club, and Mississauga Sailing Club. Congrats to all winners and a special shout out to first in their fleets, Andrew Woods of Burlington Beach Catamaran Club in his foiling super cool A Class cat (Low Portsmouth), along with Andy Warwick and Mike McKnight of Etobicoke Yacht Club in their supercharged Hobie 16 (High Portsmouth).

    Here are some photos and videos from the Regatta, please feel free to add yours!

    Shared Google Photo Gallery

    Thanks again and see you on the water!

    Beata

    Race Results | Photo Gallery Event on Facebook | Instagram



  • 20 Sep 2020 10:01 PM | Bruce Hanson

    Oct 17, 24 Saturday mornings from 10-12:  This year we're going to mulch the leaves, not throw them away. Each team will have: 

    -  1 person to pull leaves from under boats, clear twigs away and throw them out

    -  1 mower who will be mulching up the leaves

    Need more than two hours? Just bring a lunch! Prefer some other date or time?  Come when it suits you.  Because there’s only two mowers, if you want to come Saturday, please reserve your day.

  • 04 Sep 2020 1:36 PM | Matthew Burpee

    The Regatta Road gate near Unwin Ave will be locked beginning this weekend‬ (Sep 4) for the near future to reduce illegal activity such as garbage dumping and presumably others such as overnight parties and cruising.

    OHSF members must apply their code to use and return key from lockbox and then close gate.

    The City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation @TorontoPFR thank you for your cooperation. 

    See Norm’s email for more details on the process.

  • 01 Aug 2020 1:16 PM | Matthew Burpee

    From Race Rat Randy

    Drum roll please.....

    Attention Race Fans!!! (Been a while since you heard that eh? Whoot whoot!)

    With the GTA now cleared for COVID Phase 3, we are cleared to start our weeknight racing program forAugust, Sunday racing in Sept/October, and possibly host the infamous Fall War Regatta.

    Here’s the deal for August.

    -We will race Tuesday and Thursday nights until the end of August
    -All classes welcome from all OHSF clubs. If we get enough interest from the cats we can think about a separate start and handicaps
    -Races will start promptly at 630 pm and run TIL dusk.
    -Expect 3-4 races per evening
    -Races are simple windward leeward as shown in the very professional looking diagram below.
    -Starts will be 3 minutes. There will be no visual aids (flags) - we use a whistle only.
    - you must sail by the committee boat and identify yourself so we can score properly. Last year we had way too many unnamed participants.
    -no protests - if you break a rule take your circles
    -Wearing PFDs mandatory
    -our RC will be made up of students who will be trained on how to set up the course but are not PROs. No abuse will be tolerated - this is meant to be fun so if the line is not perfectly square just take a deep breath
    - the Race Director is totally open to bribes to overlook OCS’ and other infractions - just DM me.

    First race night is Tuesday August 4th. Be there or be square. Tell your friends...

    Race Rat Randy (RRR)
    416-712-7444


  • 31 Jul 2020 8:26 PM | Matthew Burpee

    We each need to help minimize the spread of Covid this August and fall. 

    Be aware of a false sense of security. We should still be very vigilant as numbers have spiked in many places when restrictions have been lifted. It may be safer to assume that each person you meet could have Covid. Take necessary precautions including avoiding groups, social distancing, wearing a mask, and hand washing.

    Sail or paddle with people from your household or bubble. If you don't go with people in your bubble, Ontario Sailing recommends that you wear a buff or face mask or covering while on the water.

    We are still required to maintain physical distancing of at least 2 metres with people from outside our household or ten person bubble. We must wear a mask or covering when close to people outside our household or bubble.

    Our club is responsible for ensuring physical distancing can be maintained. It’s important we present well, as you reflect our club. So let's not let our safety measures slip.

    Always bring a mask, have it with you at all times and expect it to be required when things prove difficult to maintain physical distancing.

    The clubhouse remains locked. 

    There will be a clean up day in early November.

    The AGM will be done via zoom.


    Knowledge about Covid prevention has developed further since this spring. Please see the following about this awful disease.

    Reputable Sources for Covid Info

    Province of Ontario

    City of Toronto

    Health Canada

    World Health Organization


    Related Information

    Ontario Sailing Association

    Outer Harbour Sailing Federation 

    Water Rats COVID-19 Guidelines, May 2020



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