Activities

Blessing of the Fleet

Activities, Events and Presentations, Parry Sound Area, ,

Adapting a maritime tradition to our local waters the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron Executive Officer, and Past Commander, the Reverend Doctor David Hardie will be offering a ‘blessing of the fleet’ on July 1st as part of the Squadron’s Christmas in July event.

Dr. Hardie will be offering the blessing for vessels attending the Christmas in July procession (all are invited to participate – please see an earlier post for information on when and where), at about 9:15 PM after boats have assembled behind Rosetta Island in the Parry Sound harbour.

 

Christmas in July

Activities, Events and Presentations, General/Travel, Parry Sound Area, ,

Where? – Parry Sound Harbour
When? – July 1st, 9:15 PM

Every year the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron sponsors Christmas In July. You don’t have to be a member to express your holiday spirit. Just decorate your boat like a lighted Christmas tree or present and join us.

How? – Decorate your boat and join us behind Rosetta Island at 9:15 on July 1 – Canada Day. Or, if the day is Parry Sound perfect, anchor south of Rosetta (there is shallow water near Parry Island) – have a Bar-B-Q, swim, decorate your boat and join us south of Rosetta Island at 9:15

The parade of lights will leave at 9:40 led by the OPP boat or Cambrian. We travel in line toward Parry Sound Marine then loop to travel along the east side of the concrete wharf (many cheers and halloos, here.) We then try to head out past Bobs Point before the Island Queen returns from her evening cruise. We then tour toward the Old Town beach and Parry Sound Sailing School so the residents of Belvedere can see us. Hopefully we can get back and anchored for the fireworks.

Of course a skipper is responsible for his/her own boat. When and where you break off from the procession is up to you. One year in twenty, I remember a thunder storm that caused a change in plans. Grandchildren can insist that fireworks are more important than a long cruise. But I have never regretted being a part of this Canada Day celebration.

After the fireworks there tends to be total confusion in the harbor. I usually leave my boat anchored and fire up ALL my lights until things quiet down. On other nights I have followed boats out toward the Sound – boats with no lights, boats with their red and green lights backwards. I find it best to wait. On the other hand, even with the crowded harbor we have never had a collision.

Hope to see you at Rosetta this July 1. Contact me if you have questions: John Mason, commander@parrysoundsquadron.ca.

Last Year’s Christmas in July Procession

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Santa Claus Parade – 2013

Activities

The Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron participated in yesterday’s Optimist Santa Claus parade in Parry Sound. Here are a few snapshots from the event. It was a bit grey, but not too cold. Better onshore than off this late in the season.

The Boating Essential course starts in January, registration is available through Canadore College (use this link).

Preparing for the Big Show
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The Head Elf (aka Executive Officer)
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Underway (wearing PFDs)
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Christmas in July – Enthusiastic Response

Activities, Events and Presentations, ,
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There was  good turnout for the Squadron’s Christmas in July ‘sail/boat-by’ just prior to  fireworks in the Parry Sound Harbour. The participants showed enthusiasm and creativity in their use of lights.

In the picture above you can see the procession ‘coming and going’ in front of the town dock. If you click on the image you can see a larger version that makes it easier to identify individual boats. (If you would like a copy of the image drop me an email – communications@parrysoundsquadron.ca).

75th Anniversary Flag – Here and Gone

Activities, Events and Presentations, Sail Parry Sound, , , ,

The Canadian Power and Sail Squadron’s 75th Anniversary Flag spent a long weekend in Parry Sound and flew over the Dragon Boat races on Saturday. It followed this up with attendance at the Parry Sound Council meeting last night where Town Council declared July 3rd, 2013, Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons Day in Parry Sound.

In addition to flying proudly over the harbour and Sail Parry Sound’s boatyard, the Parry Sound Squadron’s Executive and Administrative Officers, John Mason and Horst Mattern, dipped the flag in the fresh clear waters of the Big Sound. The flag’s next stop is North Bay on its way to the Pacific Ocean.

The Dipping of the Flag
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The Parry Sound Squadron’s Executive Officer Seemingly Claims  Sail Parry Sound’s Boatyard for the Canadian Power and Sail SquadronsParrySights-7709

Christmas in July – Want to Help Light It Up?

Activities, Events and Presentations

Once again the Parry Sound Power and Sail Squadron is organizing a ‘Christmas in July’ ‘boat-by’ as part of the Canada Day celebrations in the Parry Sound Harbour.

This involves one or two dozen boats following each other into the harbour as a procession, fully rigged with lights. A bit like floating Christmas lights.

If you are interested contact John Mason, Squadron Executive Officer at:
705.342.1315,  masonj@vianet.ca. Power Squadron membership is not required to participate.

Here are a couple photos from last year’s Canada Day celebrations. (Click for larger images.)

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Flotsam and Jetsam – mid-December Issue

Activities, Courses/Training, People, , ,

The Beacon Star’s Season’s Greetings issue had a photo of future members of the squadron on their cover (bottom right). Their photo was taken as they rode on the squadron’s Santa Claus parade float a few weeks ago. Check it out; they had their life jackets on.

A squadron member has passed on a video link reinforcing why it’s a good idea to attach  furniture to the floor and/or wall when you head out to sea. Despite the video’s title it apparently is a Pacific Sun Cruise liner riding out a storm off the coast of New Zealand on July 30th 2010.

Happy holidays to all. It’s a great time to think about upgrading or refreshing your boating skills. Check out the Parry Sound squadron’s course offerings for 2013.