A First Experience
The weather was pretty much perfect for the local Nepean Sailing Club J/80 fleet to take a group of
youths from the 104th Ottawa Beaver Colony out for their first sailing experience on Sunday, 20
September 2026. Four skippers volunteered their boats to support the event, which included 17 youths
aged 6-8 and half a dozen adult Scout Leaders.
Two Boats On the River Means…
Despite the very light winds, it did not take long for the youngsters to figure out what two or more
sailboats on the same body of water means – a race! Taking turns at the helm, the Beavers egged each
other’s boats along as the J/80s converged into an impromptu competition. Of course, the J/80 skippers
had nothing to do with any sort of racing breaking out.
The Sailing “Bug”
The event lasted about 3 hours overall, with the boats safely returning to harbour with their precious
cargo in time for the parents and guardians to collect the excited Beaver participants. At the end of the
outing, all Beavers received their “sailing experience” qualification badges and led two cheers to thank
the skippers and crew for giving them the opportunity to be out on the water and get a sense of what
sailing is about. Parents and youth alike expressed interest in future summer camps at the Club and
getting more experience in the sport we all love so much.
Thank you!
Many thanks to Denis Lopes, the Beaver Scouter leader from 104th Beaver Colony and to the J/80
skippers and crew who made the event possible: Derek Lay and daughter Claire, Dominic Goodwill,
Martin Rutter and Dave and Elisabeth Neasmith.
Submitted by David Neasmith