+30 210 72 33 093Mon-Fri: 10.00am - 18.00pm
Type
Sailing / Yacht Club
Contact Person
Roy McLaughlin
Members
1000
Logo
Services
Sailing, Tennis, Swimming, Events...
Founded Year
1903
History
Perched on Yacht Club Island just outside Kenora, Ontario, the Royal Lake of the Woods Yacht Club (RLWYC) has been the heart of sailing on Lake of the Woods since its founding in 1903 (the “Royal” honorific followed in 1925 after visits from members of the Royal Family). The lake’s 14,000 islands and 65,000 miles of shoreline create an ideal cruising ground, and the broad reach known as the Yacht Club Stretch hosts regular club races. From the outset, RLWYC was more than a racing venue: its early clubhouse—still standing—quickly became a social hub for picnics, gymkhanas, canoe and rowing contests, and spirited regattas that drew whole families. Growth and resilience define the club’s history. After fire and space constraints forced a move, members bought Yacht Club Island in 1908, built the current clubhouse and docks, and formalized operations with incorporation and a written constitution. Though world wars twice shuttered activity and claimed docks and members alike, each reopening sparked innovation: new scow and dinghy classes in the 1920s, structured junior sailing school in 1925, and ambitious expansions in the 1970s that added tennis courts and youth programs. Competitive success followed—particularly in Lightning, Finn, and Optimist classes—producing national champions and Olympians. Entering its second century, RLWYC marked the milestone with a multimillion-dollar renovation, a royal visit from TRH Prince and Princess Michael of Kent, and the 2003 Canadian Optimist Championships. Today the club remains a vibrant community asset, balancing tradition with modern facilities while nurturing sailors of all ages on one of Canada’s most storied lakes.
Street
Yacht Club Island
Post Code
P0X1C0
City
Kenora
State
Ontario
Country
Canada
