Soundings November 2024
COMMODORE’S MESSAGE
Commodore Reflections: A great deal of thanks to everyone who contributed to making this past year such a memorable one. From fantastic work party efforts to new events like the SUP race, fishing derby, as well our popular regular events like the Lobster-Fest and Commodore’s Dinner, there was no shortage of good times, great company, and also opportunities to enjoy the water. Congrats to those who managed to leave the dock and go cruising!
As we look ahead to another exciting year of events, let's not forget the wonderful activities still to come before the New Year. One highlight is the upcoming Cork & Canvas, always one of my personal favourites!.
With the shorter days of winter upon us, what better place is there to be than among like-minded friends who share a love for the water? Yes, that includes you powerboaters. Join us for Thursday Pub Nights and all the great events still to come. Let’s keep the camaraderie alive through the winter months!
Tyrone Stelzenmuller, Sail La Vie
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Please join us in welcoming Associate member Micayla Gatto and her dog Sage (A121) and
Catherine Hogan & Viktor Alexy and children Howard and Raphael (A120) to EHYC!
Katy MacLellan, Membership Secretary, Caliente
WELCOME NEWLY ALLOCATED MOORAGE MEMBERS
Welcome to the docks: Darwin Kiel & Aine Plante, Dauntless 200. Ben and Danielle Lavallee, Jeaneau 795NC. Julian Harltey, Boston Whaler. Catherine Zhao & Dong Biao Huang, All Sea. And lastly, to a returning member Morgan Gatto with Harmony.
Brandon McManus, Rear Commodore, Happy Place
EHYC IMPROVEMENTS: Projects and Upgrades
Onshore improvements this month: Visible parking lot lines and clubhouse stairs. Walkway and railing installation to social deck.
Nick Miller, Vice Commodore, Valinor
Dock improvements this month: Resurfacing of dock 5 almost finished. Be patient dock 6, you are next!
Ian Brownlow, Superintendent, Gibby
UPDATE ON FUTURE PROJECTS AND UPGRADES
Parking Lot Wall: The parking lot survey is complete, and the Executive is reviewing next steps for follow-up.
Formation of the Breakwater Committee.
As EHYC’s breakwater survived the first storm of the 2024 Winter season, it is time to review where we are with the breakwater replacement. Since the inspection and report on the existing breakwater was completed in 2023, we had 3-5 years whereby action was required to look at viable options for replacement.
We are now 2-4 years away from that somewhat arbitrary date. Of course, there is ongoing maintenance with changing zincs, chain inspections, rebalance with the internal tanks and bulkheads, however, we need to begin the process of creating a RFP (Request For Proposal) to replace the breakwater. Going the RFP route forces the candidate vendor (supplier of the breakwater) to provide a fulsome offer as to what we specify. This could include disposing of the existing breakwater and replacement or it can be broken down into a) dispose of existing breakwater and b) replacement.
To that end, we have formed of Breakwater Replacement Committee, comprising the following 2025 nominated Executive Directors: Rear Commodore (Bruce Pollock), Commodore (Nick Miller) and Vice Commodore (James Burdett).
The objective of the committee is to bring all viable options with pro’s & cons, costing, timing, etc to membership for review, discussion and vote. Please stand by for further updates in 2025.
Finally, I would like to pass along my thanks and gratitude to Brandon McManus, who has served as Rear Commodore for over 6 years. Brandon has done extraordinary work to maximize moorage space and invoiced lineal moorage revenue through the thoughtful and challenging process of space allocation.
Bruce Pollock, Executive Secretary and 2025 Rear Commodore (in waiting), Pursuit 23.5 OS
BEHIND THE SCENES: Keeping the Club Running Smoothly
Work Parties.
Work parties are a great way to stay connected and involved in the club. Whether it’s landscaping or helping behind the bar, volunteering is a great way to take ownership and pride in your club, and build community. Only 3 workparties are left for this year. January work parties have been posted!
We’re in need of a broad base of talents, so there’s something for everyone. Just select the work party you’re interested in. Click BOOK and turn up. It’s that easy.
COMMUNITY SPIRIT SHINES BRIGHT AT EHYC
Volunteer Spotlight: Bar Volunteer, Chris Hegarty.
How long have you been a member?
I joined EHYC in late 2019, just in time to see the club shut down due to COVID, so it wasn’t until 2021 that I got to see the club come back to life. Since then, I’ve enjoyed getting more involved, especially working behind the bar. In my twenties, I spent my summers teaching sailing instead of pulling pints, so I’m making up for it now!
What’s the best part about working behind the bar?
The best part is interacting with everyone who comes up for a drink. It’s a great way to meet new people, or finally put faces to the names you’ve heard around the club. Even though we’re a small club, I still find myself matching names to faces—or to the boats they own! It’s also a lot of fun hanging out with whoever else is on the shift with you. That’s when you really get to know your fellow members.
Had you done this before?
Apart from a few shifts as a server when I was 16, not really.
Do you enjoy it?
I love it! There’s always a bit of fun to be had behind the bar.
Who else could do this, and do you need training?
Anyone who wants to get involved in the club and have a good time could do this! There’s a little bit of training—mainly the "Serve It Right" course, and on your first shift, you’ll learn where everything is and how to use the Square system. But most of it is just common sense.
Anything else?
I’d really encourage anyone interested to take the Serve It Right course. It takes a few hours, but it’s worth it. Our club relies on volunteers to keep events running, and this is an easy way to contribute. If you’re not keen on the course, consider organizing an event instead. That’s another fun and rewarding way to get involved, with plenty of support from the social director and committee.
EHYC FALL/WINTER SOCIALS: Food, Fun and Friends.
EHYC North Shore Art Crawl, Oct 3-6 2024. The Art Club at EHYC participated in the Annual North Shore Art Crawl this year, hosting a four-day event from October 3-6. We kicked things off with a special preview night for club members and their guests. With homemade pizzas, an open bar, and it being Pub Night, we had a fantastic turnout—and even made a few sales!
Throughout the following days, a steady stream of visitors came through the clubhouse. It was an excellent opportunity to showcase not only the art but also our fantastic facility. While our artwork received its share of compliments, it was the stunning setting and clubhouse that really wowed our guests. We even think we might have inspired at least one family to consider joining EHYC—and maybe a few others. But ultimately, our goal was to give back to the community, and I believe we succeeded. We came across as a yacht club that's a little different from the usual image people might have in mind.
For our group, the event was a great boost. It encouraged us to showcase our work, and for some, even make a sale or two. The consensus? We’re improving, but most importantly, we’re enjoying the process.
If you haven’t heard of us, the Art Club meets every Thursday morning from 9:30 a.m. to noon. We mix instruction from videos or our members with time to work on our own projects—or sometimes, we’ll all tackle the same reference picture. We share tips and, most of all, enjoy the relaxed, low-key atmosphere. It’s really a form of art therapy—lots of conversation, coffee, and creativity. If you’re a member, feel free to drop by!
Tim Lepard, Pegasus VI
The Art Group will continue to meet on Thursday mornings throughout the winter.
We are working towards some art for sale at Cork and Canvas on November 29th. We hope to have cards especially Christmas cards for sale. These will be winter scenes with no seasons greetings included. The artists are donating back money to the Group for future education.
Mostly our learning has come from members sharing their knowledge as well as online videos. Inviting some art teachers would be great for advancing our abilities.
We also produced art work for the tables at Commodore’s Dinner. Here is an example. All members are welcome to join us to paint, chat or have coffee on Thursday mornings. We often bring some baked treats to share.
Tim Lepard, Pegasus VI
Curry Night: October 10, 2024. We turned up the heat in the kitchen and brought out the spices for a flavorful evening at EHYC. Tina Burdett sourced some tasty samosas and naan from a local North Vancouver supplier, perfectly complementing her homemade dal. The two curries, cooked by myself with Katy MacLellan's help, were a fantastic pairing—vegan potato, cauliflower, and chickpea alongside a rich butter chicken curry, both mildly spiced with garnishes on the side for those who wanted to turn up the heat. The event was a success, with all 40 tickets sold out, and members eagerly devoured every bite—leaving the plates spotless.
The evening didn’t end with the meal. Fueled by our delicious curry, members moved to the patio for a chance to spot the northern lights. Although they were only starting as we closed up, several fantastic photos of the lights—captured from both the club and around the area—were shared on WhatsApp. It was an evening of great food, good company, and a memorable light show!
Ingrid Heaslip, Social Director, Knot on Call
Ladies Fall Drinks, October 15th, 2024. We were small in number but big on camaraderie for our fall ladies drinks last week. Many thanks for the delicious appetizer contributions and to all those who joined us. And of course – big thanks to our fearless Men on the Bar – you know who you are and you were fabulous!
Alison Wilson, Sandi Bellamy & Katy MacLellan
2024 Vendée Globe Pub Night, October 24th, 2024 brought our members together for an inspiring evening with a special viewing of the 2020 Vendée Globe Yacht Race highlights. Nearly 40 members and guests joined in, making it a lively event that resonated deeply, as the 2020 race was one we followed together online during the COVID lockdown.
During that time, the club held weekly Thursday Zoom gatherings to track the race—a fitting way to keep the spirit of Pub Night alive despite the circumstances. Katy Campbell, our resident race expert, curated the best race clips and guided us through the progress each week. In an otherwise isolating time, it was a meaningful way for us to stay connected.
The video presentation was engaging in both French and English, featuring dramatic scenes of a heroic rescue and the remarkable resilience of each sailor. Watching their bravery on screen was both humbling and awe-inspiring, though I don’t think we convinced any members to sign up for the next Vendée Globe!
With the 2024 Vendée Globe kicking off on November 10th from Sables d'Olonne, France, you can follow the action live.
BBQ, Community, and Thanks to Our Volunteers
Before the video, members enjoyed delicious salmon burgers and chicken satay straight from the BBQ. Pre-booking and payment is required for food. A reminder, if you haven't received an email confirmation of your ticket purchase, this means your registration was not completed successfully and your food order was not received by us.
Events like this wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated volunteers. A special thanks goes to Ian Brownlow for always lending a hand and to Chris Hegarty, Mark Powell, Janet Chung, Alison Wilson, Rosie Lepard, and many others for making the food and drinks happen. We’re incredibly lucky to have such supportive members at EHYC!
Tim Lepard, Pegasus VI
Commodore Dinner, November 16th 2024 was a truly special evening as members gathered to celebrate the tenure of Commodore Tyrone Stelzenmuller. Thankfully stormy weather did not leave us powerless and this year’s celebration saw 58 spirited members braving rain, high tides, and winds to bask in the warm, tropical oasis of the clubhouse.
The transformation was breathtaking—bamboo, vibrant flowers, coconuts, and hundreds of twinkling lights transported us to a lush Polynesian paradise. Guests, dressed in their brightest and best, were greeted with delicious cocktails crafted by our new bar chief and king mixologist, Tom Nosella. Mai Tais, Dark and Stormys, and Painkillers set the tone for a lively evening.
As everyone settled at their designated Polynesian islands, Chef Philippe’s culinary magic took center stage. The menu featured mouthwatering appetizers like Hawaiian meatballs, poke, and grilled pineapple, followed by a feast of Moa Fa’Asaina (Samoan Chicken), South Pacific-style salmon, and Polynesian pulled pork.
Post-dinner festivities began with our ever-present Master of Ceremonies, Ian, stepping into the role of quizmaster. A spirited Tiki trivia competition ensued, with Team Tahiti claiming victory—and the coveted prize glasses—thanks to a mix of useless knowledge, luck, or perhaps strategic bribery.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Tiki Bowl, filled to the brim with a specially prepared Tavana Moana grog (Captain of the Seas). While adhering to fire regulations, the ceremonial drink was delivered unlit in a procession led by Ian, proudly carrying an EHYC-style Tokotoko—a ceremonial staff carved into figures closely resembling our dear Commodore.
It was a night of laughter, camaraderie, and celebration and the highlight of the social year.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Social Committee for organizing such a spectacular event.
Congratulations, Tyrone—what a year, and what a party!
Ingrid Heaslip, Social Director, Knot on Call
Awards Night, November 21st 2024. Over 35 members gathered for the Annual Awards Night. Co-hosted by Commodore Tyrone Stelzenmuller and Executive Secretary Bruce Pollock, the evening was a warm celebration of contributions, accomplishments, and camaraderie.
The night began with a hearty chili dinner prepared by Tina Burdett and Ingrid Heaslip, setting the stage for an evening of recognition and reflection.
Award Highlights
Commodore Trophy: Awarded by Commodore Stelzenmuller to Bruce Pollock for outstanding individual contributions, chosen from many worthy contenders.
Golden Iggy: Presented to Rear Commodore Brandon McManus for his outstanding dedication and commitment in a sometimes thankless and challenging job of managing moorage allocation and dock and breakwater maintenance from Winter 2018 through 2024. Although Brandon could not attend, the crowd enthusiastically expressed their gratitude for his many years of dedicated service.
Sausage Roll: Tina Burdett, Denise Nosella and Kim Southerst for their elegant and creative preparation, organization, culinary contributions and decoration of the clubhouse for EHYC events.
Sailing Achievements
Winner of the RNSA Double/Single Handed Trophy and Fisher Snowflake Series: Bruce Winfield.
Winner of the Bluenose Trophy for best skipper overall in the VARC calendar year: John Roberts.
Progress Award: John Roberts for obtaining the fastest crossing time in the inaugural Jester’s Cup.
Voyager Award: Shared by Gary and Sandi Bellamy of Barefoot Venus and Will Goldsmith-Jones and Kelsey Westbrook of Zig-Zag for inspiring adventures.
Special Recognitions:
Flotsam Award: Commodore Stelzenmuller for an anchoring mishap during Sailpast, humorously reminding us that even leaders face challenges.
Golden Wrench: Tom Nosella for dedication to increasing his knowledge of vessel management.
Ted Peck Award: Jake Brownlie for catching the largest salmon in this year’s Salmon derby.
Best Overall in the Round Bowen Race: Katy Cambell, Pau Hana.
Special Service Awards: for service above and beyond any expectation.
Margaret Campbell: For producing over 120 issues of Soundings across 20 years, shaping the voice of the club.
Diane Roberts: For designing over 80 Soundings issues with creativity and dedication.
Gardening and Club Beautification:
Honoring Margaret Campbell, Tina Burdett, Alexandra Mancini, Anita Green, and Ian Brownlow for their contributions to the club’s gardens and beautification efforts.
And last, but not least, the Photo Contest Winner
1st Place: Tom Nosella (Seal). Honorable Mention: Kelsey Westbrook (Beach with Driftwood and Sky). In case you missed it, here are all the entries.
A Night to Remember: The evening closed with heartfelt thanks to all attendees, volunteers, and award recipients who made the event special. This night was a testament to the spirit of Eagle Harbour Yacht Club—a community bound by shared adventures and mutual appreciation.
Here’s to another year of achievements and memories to come!
Bruce Pollock, Executive Secretary, Pursuit 23.5 OS
Wine Club November 22nd 2024. On a stormy November evening, 26 members braved the weather to attend the EHYC Wine Club’s monthly meeting. However, due to the Cyclone Bomb, our usual leader, Kent Brownlow, was unable to travel from Gabriola Island to host the event and Tim Lepard took the reins with a brief yet engaging presentation on Cabernet Sauvignon wines from California: Duckhorn Napa, Seba, St Francis and Strong Sonoma. This selection included wines in the $100 range, a rare treat for the club. Whether it was an end-of-year splurge or simply a lucky lineup, the attendees greatly appreciated the opportunity to sample such high-quality wines.
A Toast to the New Website. After the wine tasting, attendees were treated to a review of EHYC’s new website. Members were unanimous in their praise, recognizing the tremendous effort that went into its creation. Kudos to everyone involved in bringing this valuable resource to life!
Interested in Joining? If a casual, fun wine club sounds like your kind of evening, reach out to Nancy or Rosie in the office to learn more. Cheers to good wine and great company!
Tim Lepard, Pegasus VI
