Social Day-Cruising on Lac Deschênes
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, making good speed toward an island off in the distance. The talk onboard is about head-sail trim, navigation hazards, or simply how relaxing the sound of water lapping against a boat hull can be. At the end of the day, 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 should 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 Lac Deschênes. Cruises are fun events, whether you are just getting into sailing or have years of experience and knowledge to share.
How to Sign Up:
Check our calendar for cruise dates. To register, simply send an email to Tim Moses and Sylvie Seufert with your preferred date(s).
Crew Assignments:
Boat and crew assignments are made in advance and posted on the online calendar. Factors like skills and experience are considered to ensure balanced crews. For this reason, we don’t accept requests to sail on a specific boat or with specific people. If you should happen to make your own arrangements with a specific boat owner to join a cruise, you do not need to and should not register with us for that cruise.
Cost
Social Day-Cruising is free! If you plan to join us regularly, consider getting an NSC Crewing/Social Membership for full access to the club’s fantastic amenities.
Weather Conditions
Cruises are cancelled when weather conditions are unsafe (e.g., lightning, strong winds). When that happens, registered participants will receive a notice of cancellation. If the winds are forecasted to be light, the cruise will still go ahead.
Where to meet
We meet at the blue tent on the club’s west lawn at least 10 minutes before sail-time. Please don’t be late or we may assign your place to someone else.
What to wear:
Dress appropriately for the weather and for being outdoors for several hours. Extra clothing can be stored below deck.
What to bring
Bring what you need to be out on the water for several hours. Essentials: water, snack, hat, sunscreen, and a Personal Flotation Device (we will have spares just in case). Wear secure, non-slip, non-marking footwear with closed toes.
“Après Sailing”
After 3-4 hours of cruising, crews, skippers, families, and friends meet up on the NSC’s upper deck to share in the day’s experiences.
Saturday cruises
Saturday cruises include a raft-up with other sailboats, often at Aylmer Island. Bring some food to share, something to drink and maybe plan to enjoy a swim if it’s a hot day!
Cancelling your registration
If you can’t participate and must cancel, please notify us promptly and at the latest by 10:00 am on the day of the cruise so that we can offer someone on the waiting list the chance to sail in your place.
What if too many people sign up?
If there are too many registrations for a specific cruise, we prioritize NSC club members and those with fewer sailing experiences. Others will be placed on a waiting list, and we’ll contact them if an opening becomes available.
Cruising Photos and Videos:
Photos: Feel free to access the Social Day-Cruising media repository. Anyone can view the content, but posting requires a Google account. If there are any problems with any of the posts, please reach out to Sylvie Seufert.
Videos: Enjoy our video “An Afternoon on Lac Deschênes” or watch the Social Day-Cruising’s 2024 winter cruise video.
Final Thoughts:
Social Day-Cruising offers a great way to connect or stay connected with the local sailing community, to come together with like-minded people, and to enjoy sailing adventures. For another opportunity to practice or stay involved in local sailing, you also may want to check out NSC’s Crew Bank.
Questions?
Please email Tim Moses or Sylvie Seufert for any questions you may have about NSC’s Social Day-Cruising,
Happy sailing! 🌊⛵️
