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Yachting

Life is Better Afloat

At the Vancouver Rowing Club, yachting is more than a pastime—it’s a way of life. From exhilarating races and weekend cruises to dockside gatherings and unforgettable waterfront celebrations, our Yachting Section brings together a vibrant community united by a love of the water. Whether you're a seasoned sailor, a powerboater, or simply drawn to the boating lifestyle, you'll find adventure, friendship, and endless opportunities to explore the spectacular Pacific Northwest from one of Vancouver's most iconic waterfront clubs.

The Vancouver Rowing Club is nestled in the northwest corner of Coal Harbour, with the beauty of Stanley Park on its northern boundary and a modern city to the south.  The land upon which our clubhouse stands, and the surrounding waterways we enjoy while engaging in our sport, is located on the unceded traditional territory of the Coast Salish Peoples of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil Waututh First Nations. 

The Yachting Section, originally called the Mooring Section, was founded in 1926 with the club’s first organized sailing races beginning in 1927. Presently, the Yachting Section has approximately 500 members and our moorage facility can accommodate up to 230 boats.

Yachting Section Mission

The Vancouver Rowing Club Yachting Section is a community united by our passion for cruising and racing. We foster relationships through education, mentorship, social engagement, and volunteerism.

Yachting Section Vision

The Vancouver Rowing Club will be the best value, most fun, and inclusive yacht club in Greater Vancouver.  

Yachting Section Values

  • Sharing knowledge through mentorship and collaboration
  • Welcoming people of all ages, communities, cultures, and abilities
  • Providing a safe harbour for members, their families, and friends
  • Embracing an eclectic mix of personalities
  • Collaborating through active participation and volunteerism
  • Protecting and preserving the ocean and marine environment

Objectives

The Vancouver Rowing Club Yachting Section provides value to members through:

  • Access to outstations and cruises
  • A competitive racing program
  • Educational opportunities  
  • Mentorship and sharing of knowledge
  • Social engagement
  • Community connections
  • Extensive facilities
The Yachting Section of the Vancouver Rowing Club is a vibrant community in excess of 550 sailors and power boaters. As a social club we aim to provide opportunities for engagement of all our members, regardless of whether they currently own a boat or have their boat moored at the VRC itself. It’s the love of the water that brings us together!

Members of the Vancouver Rowing Club's Yachting Section enjoy the following benefits:
  • Club facilities including a gym, showers, and the newly renovated Carver Room member bar
  • A well-equipped workshop, mast tower and mast room
  • Year-round social events, including the Commodore's Ball, Sailpast, monthly New Members Night, and dock parties
  • An ever-expanding education program, including Marine Basic First Aid courses and Race Management Seminars
  • Periodic pub nights and presentations on various boating-related topics
  • An active Facebook page for updates, for sale/swap, or general off-the-dock Dock Talk
  • Long-weekend cruises to club outstations and other destinations
  • All-season sailboat racing, highlighted by the VRC Summer Regatta
  • Rookie Racing Seminar to encourage participation in club racing for both experienced and novice captains and crew
  • Outstations located in Snug Cove, Ganges, Silva Bay, Otter Bay and Pender Harbour
  • Reciprocal privileges with over 90 yachting clubs located in British Columbia, NW United States and elsewhere in the world
  • Sheltered year-round moorage in Coal Harbour for approximately 230 boats, subject to availability and club policies
Please take a look at our Welcome Aboard video.
 
Yachting Membership Types
All Yachting Members are entitled to the above benefits
  • Active Member is an Active Member of the Club that is associated with the Section. ($747.35/year)
  • Collegiate Member is enrolled in full-time post-secondary study, is at least eighteen years and not more than 26 years of age. ($614.35/year)
  • Spousal Member is a non-voting member whose partner is an Active Member of the Section in good standing, in a marriage or common-law arrangement for at least one year. ($373.25/year)
  • Junior Member is a non-voting member who has not yet reached the age of eighteen years by the September 30 in the current year. Please contact the Membership Officer for more information. ($37.13/year)
Non-Voting members are entitled to attend the Club Annual General Meeting or Annual Section Meeting but are not entitled to vote at either, or to hold the office of a Director of the Club. They are entitled to serve on Section committees, including the Executive Committee, but may not serve as the Vice Commodore.
 
Exclusion Criteria
  • We are currently not considering applications of new members who live outside of Lower Mainland.
  • Members with boats greater than 55ft in length will not be considered as this exceeds the capacity of the VRC resources (outstations and moorage).
Membership Application Process
  1. Fill out the Application Form
  2. Attend a Prospective Members Night on the 1st Wednesday of the Month. Applicants will be asked to show Government Issued ID at the Prosepctive Members' Night to verify your address in the Lower Mainland.
  3. Contact the VRC Office (604-687-3400) to pay the non-refundable joining fee of $500**. Once your Application has been approved by the Yachting Executive, the prospective Member will have 30 days to pay their pro-rated annual membership fee in order to activate their Membership.  If payment is not made within the 30 day period, the $500 Joining Fee is forfeited, and the application process must begin again from Step 1.
*Please note you are no longer required to provide 2 letters from current Yachting members as indicated on the application form but you can indicate any members you know who we could talk to.
 
Then
  • If your application is completed by the 2nd Wednesday of the month it will be brought to the Executive meeting on the 3rd Wednesday for discussion. 
  • If the decision is made to move forward with the application your name will be put forth to the membership in the Vancouver Rowing Club's monthly newsletter the ROAR.
  • Your application will be voted on at the following Executive meeting.
  • If approved, your membership will be effective the first day of the following month.
What is expected from me as a member?
  • The Yachting Section is run entirely by volunteers and relies on its members to volunteer their time and energy to make the club a vital part of our lives. Participating in Club events and volunteering on a committee or the Yachting Executive are excellent ways to get to know the club, the section and your fellow members.
  • Members are required to adhere to the policies and procedures set out in the Club Constitution and Bylaws, VRC House Rules and the VRC Yachting Section constitution and Bylaws (copies provided once application approved).
  • The main theme is to "get involved.”
For more information please contact the office at (604) 687-3400 or email our Membership Officer.
 
**As agreed upon at the 2021 VRC Yachting Section AGM, all new yachting section Active Member applications will be subject to a $500 administration fee, due upon submission of an application form. This fee will become effective for new applications submitted from January 1, 2022 forward.  This fee is in addition to the membership dues, and is non-refundable, except in the case where the club denies acceptance of an application.
      

   

 

RACING

For those who love a little friendly competition with their salt air, our racing program is one of the most exciting ways to get out on the water. From the Ken & Barbie or SHAG races to the Summer Regatta and long-standing traditions like Polar Bear Racing, our program brings together sailors who enjoy sharpening their skills, testing the wind, and sharing the thrill of the start line. Whether you're an experienced racer or curious to learn, VRC offers a welcoming environment where members can build confidence, join a crew, and discover just how addictive racing can be. But racing at VRC is about more than results—it’s about camaraderie, teamwork, and the stories that get better every time they’re told in the Carver Room. After a day on the water, sailors return to the dock and clubhouse to celebrate the wins, laugh about the near-misses, and enjoy the unbeatable social side of the sport. It’s competitive, it’s energetic, and it’s one of the best ways to experience the city's boating community at its finest.

CRUISING

British Columbia offers some of the most spectacular cruising waters in the world, and our Yachting Section helps members make the most of them. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway to the Gulf Islands, an extended voyage up the coast, or a quiet afternoon exploring local anchorages, you'll find a wealth of knowledge, experience, and resources within the Club. From outstations and reciprocal moorage to route planning and destination recommendations the Club is an invaluable resource for both new and experienced cruisers. Of course, some of the best adventures begin with a simple conversation on the dock. Members regularly share cruising stories, favourite destinations, and practical advice, creating a community that inspires exploration and confidence on the water. Whether you prefer to travel independently or enjoy the occasional group outing, the we are your gateway to unforgettable experiences throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.