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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 26, 2013 | 14 Commodore's Cup underscores town's port history by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Founded in 1946, the Oakville Yacht Squadron (OYS) has helped ensure the town stays as a central sailing hub. "Oakville has always been a kind of port town," said Terry Joyce, OYS publicity director. "There is absolutely a strong interest in sailing here, as most of our members are from Oakville, Burlington and the general area." on een d As s TV an rty H e CHC e Prop m o c In Expecting boats from around Lake Ontario and the U.S., the OYS will be hosting its annual regatta, The Commodore's Cup Championship, from Aug. 9-11 at its 97 Forsythe St. club -- it has been put on for more than 15 years. Joyce says the club can usually expect anywhere from 20-30 boats, if the weather is less than favourable, to 50-80 boats, if the weather is perfect, competing every year in the Regatta. This year, the Commodore's Cup will have more than 20 J/27 North Americans competing in the three-day long event. In addition to the two days of boat racing, the weekend will include live music and dancing, prizes, on-shore events including crew competitions, a barbecue and raffle, among other events. The cost for pre-registration is $50 before noon today (Friday) and $75 afterwards -- the As City seen o Lov Line n e it a or L nd ist i t Clean Up r e m m ! Su SP 2 ADIR RAY ON CHAIR DACK S REG. PRICE @ & THE 3 RD ONGET E 20% O Expires F July 31 F st Celebrating Our 4th Anniversary! RE-CONDITION, RECYCLE, AND RE-USE: · All Outdoor Furniture · Trellises & Urns · Cottage Furniture · Garage Sale Finds · Stored Furniture · All Types Of Doors 905-631-REDO (7336) · www.paintitlikenew.com CLIP & SAVE #1A-1254 Plains Road E., Burlington Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm cost to participate in the Lighthouse Challenge is $25. Pre-registration for the Regatta can be done online at www.oysqn.com. The OYS was originally founded by a group of sailors interested in racing Snipe class dinghies -- which would inevitably lead to the club primarily focusing on racing. Over the years, fleets of Tempests, Viking 28's, C&C 27's and J/24's have all competed at some level at OYS and around Lake Ontario. In 1995, OYS merged with the former Oakville Harbour Yacht Club and a growing interest in cruising was integrated into the existing club. "Today, OYS maintains an active club racing program and also counts many local and a few long-distance cruisers in its membership," states the OYS website. "The club continues to be an organization dedicated to active support of the sailing lifestyle." The OYS boasts approxi- The annual Commodore's Cup Championship will sail out of Oakville Aug. 9-11. | photo courtesy Rita Lord mately 200 memberships and offers various programs including racing for youths and adults, learn-to-sail or borrowa-boat programs, and a sailing school -- something Joyce says is important in order to pass on the sailing lifestyle to future generations. "We grow our future through the sailing school, which develops young sailors who either go on to get into sailing for leisure or competitively," said Joyce, who has been sailing all his life. "It's a learning sport -- as you learn, it grows with you." For information, visit www. oysqn.com. The Regional Municipality of Halton Using hoses to wash the drivewa y wastes water. Use brooms instead. Reduce Your Outdoor Water Use 25/260713