Ken Aalders will be your guide to exploring the “Ottawa Riviera”. Come discover everything the river has to offer for both casual cruisers and the more adventurous.
Originally from Nova Scotia, when Ken moved to Ottawa, he had no expectation that he would be able to rekindle his passion for sailing, let alone have the opportunity to develop as a sailor. Looking back over the years, he is very pleased to realize he had been wrong! Ken has been an active sailor on the Ottawa River and beyond, with many years of experience as regular racing crew on competitive boats out of both BYC and NSC, and he also cruised on his own Sabre 34.
The step to sailboat cruising, especially from racing, is more than just about the destinations; it is also about the journey – taking sailing further than a sport, to a lifestyle. With his own personal objective to raise awareness of the importance of sailing in Canada’s national capital, Ken started and ran this Speakers Program for the Ottawa sailing community, hosted by NSC. Ken also manages the Ottawa Sailing Community group on Facebook, which is all about sailing – the sport & the lifestyle.
Most Lac Deschênes sailors have been up to Aylmer Island, probably half of those have been to Pinhey’s Point. The numbers get less and less as we consider Baskins Beach, Constance Bay, Mohr Island, Quyon or Pontiac Bay. The Ottawa River has many riches to explore, from calm anchorages to small local communities – not to mention some pretty fun eateries.
Well, this could be your summer to sail up past Aylmer Island and beyond. Come hear Ken’s travelogue on exploring the “Ottawa Riviera”, and plan some summer excursions.
The kitchen opens at 5.00 pm, and the presentation will start at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday is Steak Night. Members of all local sailing clubs obtain a discount on food purchases by showing a valid club membership card. Attendees are asked to make a donation to support the NSC Legacy fund.
Although this will be the final Wednesday night session of the 2019 Speaker series, our final speaker will be Art “The Ropeman” Grant, who will provide a rope splicing workshop at NSC Saturday May 11.