The Vernon Yacht Club
Now ... the hunt was on for a suitable waterfront club site.Contributed
The idea of forming the Vernon Yacht Club (VYC) was hatched in the summer of 1951, by a group of charter members. In August of that year, they organized a sailing race in hopes of further promoting interest in the club. Although the wind failed to attend, the people did. Thus encouraged by the turn out, the organizers arranged a meeting at the Ok Landing United Church Hall for that coming November. Based greatly on the solid attendance and the obvious interest shown at this meeting, it took little persuasion for the VYC to be approved. On June 23, 1953, the Vernon Yacht Club received its charter as a society.
Now ... the hunt was on for a suitable waterfront club site. Debris, resulting from the paddlewheel era, had depressed the values of the waterfront properties affected. So - in 1955 with the assistance of Dr. Campbell Brown - the club was able to purchase a single lot that housed a small building and had access to 50 feet of lake frontage. Coincidentally, the new property lay directly across the road from the Doctor’s new house.
Before any boats were allowed to launch from this location, first a barge (to haul the heavy equipment required to begin the process of accessibility) had to be found. A launch ramp was finally built in 1956, and served the public and club for several years thereafter.
In 1967, VYC met with disaster – the demise of its clubhouse after burning to the ground February 14. Surprisingly, this catastrophe turned out to be an opportunity in disguise. Within 48 hours of the fire, re-building plans had already been set in motion: to build a bigger and better club - this time using non-combustible concrete blocks. After months of strenuous work by its members, the new VYC clubhouse re-opened October 22, 1967.
In 1989 the new marina became the sight of what was then, the largest 'on-water' boat show in BC - organized by members it became an annual event. During the 1990s, the number of sailboats increased steadily, two more of the adjacent lots were purchased , and a further expansion in 1998 added moorage and a floating breakwater to the VYC's list of amenities.
Now, in its 53rd year, the Vernon Yacht Club’s membership numbers 280 people - and is continually increasing. Power and sail boaters are evenly represented within the membership, with boats ranging from 16 to 35 feet, in approximately 200 berths. The Vernon Yacht Club is proud to be affiliated with Safe Boating programs. During the VYC’s annual Spring Boat Show, the Canadian Coast Guard - and other safe boating agencies - are invited to make presentations on the promotion of safe and enjoyable boating.
Upcoming Events:
APRIL
14 WKYC Newcomer’s Party
14 SYC Lift In/Spring Fling
28 VYC Spring Clean
28 WKYC Spring Clean
28 & 29 KYC Kelowna Boat Show
28 SYC Member’s Wine & Cheese
MAY
3 WKYC Anchor Club Volunteer Meals (Every Thursday)
5 & 6 VYC Boat Show
10 SYC Sail Fleet “Race Night” Starts (Every Thursday)
13 SYC Sunday “Steak & Rib” Night starts (Every Sunday)
18-21 KYC Sailor’s Cannacord Cup
26 WKYC 50th Anniversary Banquet
26 VYC Rib Off
JUNE
1-3 VYC United Way Regatta
9 & 10 KYC Kelowna Commodore’s Ball & Sail Past
16 & 17 WKYC Commodore’s Ball & Sail Past
16 KYC Kelowna Boats for Hope
22 WKYC Lobster Night
23 VYC Commodore’s Ball
24 VYC Sail Past
30 SYC Dock Party
30 WKYC Open House – BBQ, Cardboard Race – Westside Daze kickoff
JULY
1 KYC Canada Day Celebrations
7 SYC Commodore’s Ball
8 SYC Sail Past
13-15 SYC Giant’s Head Regatta “Agar Lake Camp Charity”
14 & 15 WKYC Invasion Weekend
21 & 22 VYC Invasion Weekend
28 & 29 SYC 2012 Woman’s Okanagan Regatta
AUGUST
3-5 SYC Invasion Weekend – Ball Tournament
11 WKYC Ribn’n Blues
17-19 KYC Invasion Weekend
SEPTEMBER
8 WKYC Golf Tournament
8 VYC Pig Roast
14-16 SYC All Club End to End Regatta
22 KYC Kelowna Blind Fishing Derby
29 SYC Sunday – “Steak & Rib Night” Ends
OCTOBER
7 SYC Sail Fleet “Race Night” Ends
13 SYC Lift Out
27 SYC Halloween Party
27 VYC Halloween Party
NOVEMBER
3 KYC Kelowna Sailor’s Pot Luck
11 KYC Remembrance Day Festivities
13 SYC AGM
14 WKYC AGM
25 SYC Grey Cup Party
25 WKYC Grey Cup Party
26 VYC AGM
DATE YC EVENT