Mmmm!
It’s a hot summer afternoon in the National Capital Region. But there’s a cooling breeze out on Lac Deschênes. Work can wait… You see yourself at the helm of a sailboat, beating into the wind and making good speed toward an island in the distance.
Onboard, the talk is about head-sail trim, navigation hazards, or simply how relaxing it is to hear water lap against a boat hull. At the end of an afternoon of social day-cruising, you gather with fellow sailors to share stories of your adventures out on the water…
If this sounds like something you would enjoy, then you can sign up for one (or more) of our social day cruises. Social Day-Cruising on Lac Deschênes matches crews of all skill levels with skippers for a 3-4-hour sailing adventure on the lake. Cruises are fun events, whether you are just getting into sailing or have years of experience and knowledge to share.
What it’s about
The Social Day-cruising program aims to foster a supportive community of cruising sailors at all skill and experience levels, from those who have never set foot on a sailboat to those with many years of boat ownership behind them (and everything in between).
The format is a weekly cruise on Lac Deschênes, followed by a gathering on the club deck.
How to participate
Event dates and crew assignments are listed in the calendar, accessible via the link below.
Register for the program using the online form linked below.
If your availability changes, update it using the online form linked below. Changes will be reflected in the calendar.
Please note that we can’t accommodate requests to sail on a particular boat or with particular crewmates.
Cost
There is no fee to join. However, if you sail with us more than a few times, you should become a Crewing Member of Nepean Sailing Club.
Weather conditions
If the forecast conditions are unsafe (e.g., lightning, strong wind gusts, or poor air quality), we will cancel the event. We will attempt to contact you beforehand. Otherwise, we intend for the event to go ahead, even if the winds are very light.
On the day
Meet under the blue tent on the west lawn of the Nepean Sailing Club clubhouse by 12:45.
You will not receive a reminder. Consult the calendar to see whether a space has been reserved for you or you are on the wait list. As others register and cancel in the days before the event, crew assignments will vary. However, they will be stable shortly after 10:00 AM on the day of the event. If you were assigned a space seven days in advance, you will not lose that space unless a boat is forced to drop out.
Please note:
- The program’s email inbox is not monitored after 10:00 AM on the day of the event.
- A no-show is anyone who cancels after 10:00 AM or who doesn’t show up at the designated time. No-shows are not uncommon.
- Wait-list guests may stand by at the event venue in case space becomes available. Wait-list entries are in priority order.
- Boat owners set the maximum number of crew they can accommodate, and we respect their judgment.
So, if you are running late, don’t send an email; no one will see your message.
If you aren’t at the venue at the designated time, we can’t tell whether you’re a few minutes late or have no intention of showing up. We will assume you won’t show up. No-shows are de-prioritized in future events. Anyone who is a no-show on multiple occasions will be removed from the program.
These considerations lead to the unavoidable conclusion that if you are late (even by a minute), you probably won’t be sailing. Factor this into your journey planning.
This outcome isn’t meant as a punishment for lateness; it’s simply an inevitable consequence of the constraints under which the program operates. i.e. there are more crew than available spaces, and we strive to get people on a boat if they are available.
If you have ever travelled by air, you’ll be familiar with the protocol; if you aren’t in the gate area before the gate closes, your seat has already been assigned to a standby traveller.
What to bring
- Hat.
- Sunscreen.
- A Personal Flotation Device (PFD), if you have one; otherwise, we can provide one.
- Secure, non-slip, closed-toe footwear. Please ensure the soles don’t leave marks on the deck—white is best. Hint: check by dragging the edge of the sole across the back of an envelope.
- If you are susceptible to motion sickness, have your favourite remedy on hand. But if you feel unwell, don’t hesitate to tell your skipper, and they will take you straight back to the dock.
What to wear
Consult the weather forecast, as conditions can change throughout the day and it can feel cooler on the water. You can stow extra clothing below deck.
Don’t forget that loose clothing and long hair can be a safety hazard when working with winches.
“Après Sail”
Cruises typically last three to four hours. Afterwards, crews, skippers, their family and friends meet up on the club deck to share their experiences and make further plans.
Saturday cruises
Saturday cruises include a raft-up, usually at Aylmer Island. On these occasions, bring a dish to share and something to drink for yourself. It’s also a great opportunity for a swim, especially if it’s a hot day!
Cancelling
If you can’t participate, please update your availability as early as possible, but no later than 10:00 a.m. on the day of the event. Sometimes, there is a waiting list, and we want to offer someone else the chance to sail in your place.
Also, if you arrange directly with a boat owner to sail on their boat for the cruise, please do not register in the program for that day.
Oversubscription
If we are oversubscribed, club members and those who have sailed with us the fewest times this season get priority. Others are placed on a wait list.
Questions?
Check the FAQ.
Register Here
Registration will open in the spring.
Events
Questions? Get in touch with us in the spring.
Resource
Check out the program’s media repository.
(If you have an objection to any of the content, contact the program coordinator.)
Watch a video of an afternoon on the river.
Happy sailing! 🌊⛵️
