History of FYC & More

Scroll down to learn more about:

  • The History of Fanshawe Yacht Club
  • The Creation of Fanshawe Lake
  • List of Past Commodores
  • List of Member(s) of the Year
  • Link to past Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletters

History of Fanshawe Yacht Club - Founded in 1953

In December 1952, the Fanshawe Dam was completed to control the flooding of the Thames River, thus creating Fanshawe Lake – the home of our club. Learn more about the origins of FYC in the articles below.

Article by FYC Co-Founder Jack McClatchie

 

 

 

 
 
Original FYC Burgee designed by Jack McClatchie, one of the founders of the Club.

 

By the end of April 1953, following the completion of the Fanshawe Dam in December 1952, Fanshawe Lake was a reality, and ready to use. On part of the west shore, there was a strip of sandy beach with a dock and a picnic park. This is where it all began.

The first boat to sail on the new lake was an 18′ sailing canoe, sailed right off the beach in April 1953 by Jack McClatchie (Pictured above left).  A few days later, Eric Skelton, a city engineer, put down the first permanent mooring for his dinghy “Polly Wog”. By the end of June, many more boats had joined the fleet on moorings.

During the summer, rather informal races were held on most weekends. By August, the fleet had grown to 18 boats with a friendly gang of skippers wondering how they could keep in touch through winter and make plans for the next summer’s sailing. At this point, Jack invited the group to meet at his home, and talk about forming a club to represent them before the Conservation Authority.

A committee was appointed to explore all the shores of the lake. With the approval of the Upper Thames Conservation Authority, the committee chose the location which the Club now occupies.

Everyone enjoyed a summer of good sailing in 1953, but the club was so loosely organized that it existed in a hand-to-mouth fashion. No firm plan was in place to ensure the succession, or the relief, of the elected members burdened with the management of the club. The club was growing, but so was the reluctance of many members to accept a nomination for office.

On Wednesday August 19, 1953, a well-attended business meeting was held. At this meeting, a more structured organization was formed, with the name of “Fanshawe Yacht Club” (FYC), and a formal staff of Flag Officers to be elected each year for a one-year term of office. A secretary, treasurer and a social convener were also elected that year and each year that followed.

And the rest, as they say, is history…

By Jack McClatchie
FYC Co-Founder
FYC Commodore 1956 & 1957
 
Click Here to Read the 1953 London Free Press Article about the formation of FYC

Additional History of Fanshawe Yacht Club - The Creation of Fanshawe Lake

Information Exerpted from “Fanshawe Yacht Club 60 Years, August 19, 1953 to August 19, 2013” by Nina Myers

FYC owes its existence to flooding and to the vision of a far-sighted group of keen sailors.  In 1937, the City of London suffered major flooding.  At the Forks of the Thames, in the vicinity of Dundas Street (now named Riverside Drive) and Wharncliffe Road, the water depth was eight feet above the pavement.  There was massive property damage and one life was lost. 

Following the flood, the City undertook preventive measures.  Dikes were constructed in the vicinity of the Forks and along sections of the North and South Branches of the river. 1n 1947, there was threat of another major flood. The waters rose almost to the top of the dikes and overflowed the banks in other locations.   Farmers and city dwellers demanded action.  Later in 1947, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) was formed.

The Authority swung into action to put flood control measures in place.  Design of a dam for the North Branch of the Thames was undertaken.  The site selected was a short distance east of Clarke Road.  The Lake which formed behind the dam is approximately 3 miles long and almost half a mile wide.  Fanshawe Dam was completed in December 1952.

See more about the formation of Fanshawe Yacht Club in the article by Co-Founder Jack McClatchie above.

Fanshawe Dam and Lake
Original Burgee

Our Commodores

Recognizing Their Leadership and Volunteerism

                        *Original FYC Burgee above designed by our 1st Commodore, Jack McClatchie

2023
Stacey Vanderwerff
 
2019 -2022
Bonita Magill
 
2018
Jeff Eames
 
2017
Chris Fogelman
 
2016 · 2015
Jeff Eames
 
2014
Brian Hurst
 
2013 · 2012
Roy Elworthy
 
2011
Paul Chesman
 
2010
Brian Hurst
 
2009
Mark Anderson
 
2008 · 2007
Paul Chesman
 
2006 
Ralph Smith (first part of season), John Bryant
 
2005 
John Bryant
 
2004
Steve Currie
 
2003
Carl Holland
 
2002
Marc Lacoursiere
 
2001
Anne McEwen
 
2000
Gord Stewart
 
1999
Les Pomeroy
 
1998
Dave Thompson
 
1997
Harry James
 
1996
John Hall
 
1995
Doug MacKenzie
 
1994
Barry Sarazin
 
1993
Jens Biskaborn
 
1992
Scott Town
 
1991
John Ballast
 
1990
John Burgess
 
1989
Brian Perry
 
1988
Rex Paget
 
1987
Alex Crowley
 
1986
John de Boer
 
1985
Steve Dietrich
 
1984
Don Husson
 
1983
Ed Van Puymbroeck
 
1982
Len MacDougall
 
1981
Larry Minshall
 
1980
Floyd James
 
1979
John Rae
 
1978
Hans Schaffner
 
1977
Keith Watson
 
1976
Andrew Kertesz
 
1975
Ken Stuart
 
 1974
George Dietrich
 
1973
Philip Luno
 
1972
Don Dool
 
1971
Hasso Grasmuck
 
1970
Graham Laing
 
1969
Matt Goddard
 
1968
Jack Wicks
 
1967
Don Dynes
 
1966
Bill Smith
 
1965
George Foster
 
1964
John Houston
 
1963
Emerson Bright
 
1962
John McGugan
 
1961
Phil Harding
 
1960
George Layton
 
1959
Cliff Wingrove
 
1958
Dave Schurman
 
1957 · 1956
Jack McClatchie
Past Commodores 1995

Front Row (sitting):   George Layton 1960, Rex Paget 1988, Steve Dietrich 1985

Middle Row (kneeling):   Barry Sarazin 1994, Don Dynes 1967, Len Macdougall 1982, Brian Perry 1989, Larry Minshall 1981, Scott Town 1992, John Ballast 1991

Back Row (standing):  Don Dool 1972,  Doug MacKenzie 1995, Cliff Wingrove 1959, Dave Schurman 1958, Jack McClatchie 1956 & 1957, Andy Kertesz 1976, Alex Crowley 1987, Dan Husson 1984, John Burgess 1990, John Rae 1979, Hans Schaffner 1978, Phil Luno 1973, Floyd James 1980, Jens Biskaborn 1993,  John Houston 1964

Member of the Year Award

Fanshawe Yacht Club’s Member of the Year Award honors the outstanding volunteer contributions made by its members in developing the club and the sailing school, and promoting the sport of sailing.

This prestigious annual award recognizes the overwhelming time and effort given by the recipients over multiple seasons, not solely in a single year.

Nominees are submitted and voted on at the end of each sailing season. The recipient is presented with the award at the Commodore’s Reception in the following year.

2022
Rick Goldt
 
2021
Jeff Eames
 
2020
Mike Van Wiechen
 
2019
Bill Scott & Mark Cole
 
2018
Denise Kinting & Nicholas Callender
 
2017
Carleen Hone & Jim MacKenzie
 
2016
Mary Watson
 
2015
Rob Perquin & Marc Lacoursiere
 
2014
Bob Magill
 
2013
Vera Eames
 
2012
Jack Blocker
 
2011
Nina Myers
 
2010
Sue Goldt
 
2009
Paul Chesman
 
2008
John Bryant
 
2007
Mike Wareing
 
2006
Kevin Biskaborn
 
2005
Ross Green
 
2004
Bert Renes & Josie Renes
 
2003
Hans Schaffner
 
2002
Mike Morris
 
2001
Art Seager
 
2000
Ralph Smith
 
1999
Otto Biskaborn
 
1998
Doug Hairsine & Chris Hairsine
 
1997
Doug MacKenzie
 
1996
Gus Andersen
 
1995
John Ballast & Lynda Ballast
 
1994
John Burgess
 
1993
Brian Perry
 
1992
Philip Luno
 
1991
Harry James
 
1990
Rex Paget & Linda Paget
 
1989
Alex Crowley
 
1988
Jack McClatchie & Cliff Wingrove
 
1987
John de Boer
 
1986
Don Husson
 
1985
Elmer Searle
 
1984
Phil Harding & Gertude Harding
 
1983
Len MacDougall
 
1982
Derek Innes
 
1981
Josephine Scarlett
 
1980
Peter Wilkins

The Final Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletter by Sue Goldt      

November 4, 2021

Click Here to open the Final Edition of the FYC Dockside Scuttlebutt Newsletter by our intrepid editor Suzanne Goldt. Sue is laying down her pen after many years of documenting the news and changes at FYC. Thanks so much Sue for all you have compiled in the Scuttlebutt over the years!!

Stay tuned for more tall tales and yarns to be posted on our Dockside Scuttlebutt Blog on this website.

*If you would like to have a read through earlier editions of the Dockside Scuttlebutt, please click the Red Button below!