5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Welcoming Reception at Yacht Club
Picnic Shelter at Race Site

The first regatta dates back to 1897, when canoes, skiffs and steam yachts were gaily decorated, paddles and oars painted and varnished, oarlocks greased, engines overhauled and oilers filled, coal bunkers packed with the best steam coal, and brass-work polished until it shone as bright as the sun itself.

The regattas became increasingly popular in the 20’s and 30’s with record crowds of over 4,000 people attending the one day event in a village with a population of less than 100. In the late 40’s the RFYC Regattas were sanctioned under APBA and attracted many outstanding drivers such as J.L. Schoolcroft, Schenectady, N.Y.; Don Chase, Northhampton, Mass.; E.P. Burger, Sydney, N.Y.; and W.H. Backner, from Gloversville, N.Y. Shortly after, other racers joined in, Chester Olcott, Dover N.H.; H.P. Shakescraft, White Plains, N.J.; and Gaston Facteau, Montreal, Que.

Welcome Aboard to the Official RFYC Web-Site!

One of Canada’s largest “Vintage Race Boat Regatta” will be held again this summer in Rideau Ferry Ontario. The Rideau Ferry Yacht Club welcomes boating enthusiasts of all ages to attend this award winning display of vintage race boats August 17th and 18th 2013. There will be over 50 vintage race boats gathered on the Big Rideau Lake from both Canada and the United States. Some of the sports most famous Grand Prix race boats and drivers will be there reaching speeds of well over 100 mph, as well as many other vintage inboard and outboard classes.

Vintage race boat regattas are the fastest growing boating events within the American Power Boat Association, and now the Canadian Boating Federation has joined in. After the tremendous return of Vintage Race Boats at Rideau Ferry in 2007, the interest of this sport north of the boarder has taken off as fast as the race boats themselves. In 2009, the Canadian Boating Federation created a Vintage Race Boat Division, ensuring the future of these beautiful Vintage Race Boats within Canada stays strong and alive for future generations to enjoy.

The 2013 Regatta will also see the return of the “Six Hour Canoe” boat building competition, where teams of four construct a beautiful 14’ canoe on Saturday and race it on Sunday. There will also be free “Toy Boat” shelter for children to build and paint their own little boats. So come on out, bring your lawn chair, and enjoy a beautiful day at the beach at the RVCA Conservation Area in Rideau Ferry.

Also, when attending the event this year, be sure to pick up a copy of “THE REGATTA BOOK”, a beautiful story and picture book written by Val Hudson about the 100 year history of the RFYC Regattas and surrounding area. This book is a must have for your coffee table at your home or cottage. It can also be purchased at the “The Store” in Rideau Ferry or by contacting gladfrogproductions@gmail.com

Hope to see you there.

Members of the Rideau Ferry Yacht Club

Opening ceremonies will feature Antique and Classic mahogany boats, typical of what raced at Rideau Ferry in the 20’s and 30’s. Joint sanction outboard races will run first, featuring the Canadian National Championships, followed by Big Hydro, Small Hydro, Jersey Skiffs, and Flat Bottom/Speedsters. The various outboards will run again, followed by the APBA Vintage Class which will close the show. This will be the format for both days.

The winner of this year's 2011 Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Canoe Raffle was Nick Ritchie. Nick was also one of the winning team members of the canoe building competition for the Smiths Falls Fire Department who out-raced the Perth Fire Department at this years Rideau Ferry Regatta. A great weekend for the Ritchie family. Pictured below are Grace Ritchie being held by mom Jenn Auger-Ritchie and the big winner himself Nick Ritchie. Congratulations again to Nick and the Smiths Falls Fire department for a job well done.