Welcome to the Chester Yacht Club
Chester Yacht Club (CYC) is a private sailing club situated on beautiful Mahone Bay with excellent access to the best sailing in Canada. CYC is host to Canada’s largest keelboat regatta, Chester Race Week, the much anticipated and highly regarded annual Opti Jam dinghy regatta, and is home to robust and internationally respected IOD and Bluenose fleets. Our objective is to encourage Club members to become more proficient in the personal management, maintenance and handling of their boats; to promote safety, proper navigation and seamanship; to provide social and instructional activities in the interests of all Club members and their guests; and to enhance the sport of sailing within our membership and community.
Coming UP at CYC
CYC NEWS
CYC 2025 Social Calendar Highlights – Mark Your Calendar!
We’re looking forward to another unforgettable season of connection, celebration, and community at CYC! From casual dinners to special celebrations, speaker nights to sailing awards—we’ve packed this season with events for every kind of member. Mark your calendars and join us for these exciting upcoming events:
MAY
Thursday May 29 – Race Rules Seminar
- Kick off the season by sharpening your skills. A must for racers—new and experienced sailors alike! We will have a few of the new Racing Rules of Sailing 2025–2028 rulebooks available for purchase onsite.
Friday May 30 – First Friday Member Social
- We kick off the 2025 season with a Member Potluck!
Bring a dish to share and enjoy good food and great company at our first Friday evening gathering of the year.
JUNE
Friday June 13 – NEW Members Social
- Join us in welcoming our newest CYC members! A relaxed evening to connect and kick off the summer season.
Friday June 27 – Baked Potato Bar
- Join us for a cozy, casual night featuring baked potatoes with all the fixings. A hearty, build-your-own potato snack perfect for a Friday wind-down.
JULY
Tuesday July 1 – Canada Day festivities + Raising the Wharf: A Celebration of Community
- Canada Day Pancake Breakfast & Scavenger Hunt
- More than a national celebration—this year, we mark the completion of our new wharf, made possible by the incredible support of our community, the Province of Nova Scotia, and YOU, our members.
Here’s what’s happening:
Plaque unveiling & donor recognition 5pm
• Food truck on the clubhouse grounds
• Dance to Live music by Rec Room Jams Band, 6:30–9:30pm
Friday July 4 – Thank You Appreciation Social for Chester Volunteer Fire Department
- Let’s show our gratitude to the dedicated members of our local fire department with an evening of community and connection. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres as we raise a glass to the everyday heroes who help keep Chester safe. Chester Volunteer Firefighters will be attending, as well as our local MOC Councillors, and the Chester Fire Services Committee. Our community is incredibly fortunate to have the Chester Volunteer Fire Department, a dedicated team that serves with unwavering commitment. This event is our way of expressing sincere gratitude for their service.
Sunday July 6 – Afternoon Tea Social
- Return of our cozy afternoon gathering to enjoy classic tea-time fare with friends.
Wednesday July 9 – Our summer Speaker Series Begins with:
Breaking Barriers: The First All-Woman Crew in the Marblehead to Halifax Race
In 1979, a determined group of women made history as the first all-woman crew to sail in the iconic Marblehead to Halifax Race. Their journey was one of courage, friendship, and breaking barriers in the sailing world. Join us for an engaging evening as Gretchen McCurdy and several of her crewmates share their stories, memories, and the excitement of that unforgettable race.
Friday July 11 – CanBoat & Lisa Ross are our Guests
- Member Social special event with guests Olympic sailor Lisa Ross and CanBoat Commander Laura Webber. Lisa will talk about her journey and experience of competing in two Olympic Games and Laura will share some boating safety procedures, emphasizing proper certification for sailors of all levels.
Wednesday July 16 – Little Black Dress Social
- Our stylish annual favourite! Members & your guests join us in your dressy black attire for a fun summer evening. Sip, shop & socialize with friends old and new. Your ticket includes delicious hors d’oeuvres, a glass of wine, shopping, and socializing. The perfect night out to celebrate summer in style!
Wednesday July 23 – Speaker Series Continues with:
MICA’s history, acquisitions & ongoing projects (illustrated talk)
Join us for an inspiring evening as Syd Dumaresq and John Meisner share the story of the Mahone Islands Conservation Association (MICA) — how a group of local residents came together to protect the natural beauty and traditional use of the Mahone Bay Islands, and the progress they’ve made over the past two decades.
MICA’s mission: To protect and conserve the natural environment of the islands and shoreline of Mahone Bay, and the traditional, social, and recreational opportunities valued by its various communities.
Friday July 29 – Build-Your-Own Curry Bowl Night
- Spice it your way! A flavourful evening with as you customize your own curry bowl—featuring a variety of sauces, proteins, and toppings.
AUGUST
Wednesday August 6 – Speaker Series Continues:
High Tide, Ben Heisler & The Chester Sailing Society
Brookes Diamond will share stories about High Tide, Ben Heisler and the Chester Sailing Society. You will hear some great stories full of laughter and local lore.
Friday August 8 – Commodore Dinner Dance
- Celebrate the season with a night of dining and dancing.
Wednesday August 20 – Trivia Evening
- Grab your team and test your wits! Fun questions and friendly competition.
Sunday August 30 – Commodore’s Picnic on Quaker Island
- A relaxed day of food, fun, and fresh air on the island. Pack your picnic blanket and join us!
SEPTEMBER
Friday September 5 – Corn Boil
- Join us for complimentary fresh local corn, a variety of tasty butters, and good old-fashioned sailor-family-friendly fun. Bring your appetite and your crew!
OCTOBER
Friday October 3 – End of Season Sailing Awards
- An evening to recognize the incredible achievements of our sailors. Trophies, camaraderie, and celebration.
Saturday October 25 – Halloween Dance with Dark & Stormy Band
- Costumes encouraged! Come dance the night away with Dark & Stormy Band and celebrate the spooky season CYC-style.
Stay tuned for more info on each event through our regular weekly membership newsletter emails!
We can’t wait to see you this season!
Cathy Ross, CYC Vice Commodore and CYC Social Committee
Chester Yacht Club Junior Sailing Registration is OPEN!
Get ready to set sail this summer! ⛵ Registration for the 2025 CYC Junior Sailing Program is now open!
Spaces fill up fast—don’t miss your chance to be part of an unforgettable summer of sailing, fun, and friendships at CYC! ⚓
REGISTRATION DATES:
⚓ February 15 – Senior & Senior Family Members
⚓ February 22 – Senior Member Grandparents Registering Their Grands
⚓ March 1 – Open to Everyone!
SESSION DATES 2025:
Session 1: June 30 – July 11
Session 2: July 14 – 25
Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Session 4: August 18 – 29
WET FEET PROGRAM (Ages 5-7)
Perfect for our youngest sailors to get comfortable on the water!
⚓ Session 1: June 30 – July 4
⚓ Session 2: July 7 – 11
⚓ Session 3: July 14 – 18
⚓ Session 4: July 21 – 25
⚓ Session 5: July 28 – August 1
⚓ Session 6: August 4 – 8
⚓ Session 7: August 18 – 22
⚓ Session 8: August 25 – 29
Stay tuned for registration links and details! #CYCJuniorSailing #LearnToSail #ChesterNS #SummerOnTheWater
CYC Members,
The note you’ve all been waiting for…The Capital Call
I am pleased to provide a progress update on our collective efforts around the Wharf and the Building restoration work.
Quite simply, much has been accomplished and our team has been extremely focused.
- We’ve confirmed that the service provider for the Wharf project will be Eagle Beach. This comes following significant due diligence and a constructive debate with respect to the path forward.
- The fundraising team has reached a considerable fundraising level of ~$ 350,000. Tax receipt support through the Municipality has certainly helped with this outreach to members.
- Several targeted donations have now positioned us to reduce the capital call amount for our single members so that the charge per member is now equal at $ 800.
Now a look at the numbers so that everyone has an appreciation of the challenges we’ve been working through over the past couple of months.
First, the Wharf and associated components:
- Costs are in the range of ~$ 600K, with an $ 80K contingency established in the event of issues or adjustments.
This is without question a significant project with a considerable price tag but necessary to maintain our wharf and the large role it plays for the club. As you all know, nothing these days comes cheap. The alternative of building a new wharf from the ground up is considerably more expensive, as we have shared previously.
Second, the Building:
- Work will not begin until the fall for two key reasons, the first being access to available contractors and second , in order to qualify for government grants no work can start until applications are submitted. We will be submitting formal grant requests in early 2025.
- We are earmarking $ 120K of the fundraising proceeds for the building repairs, and as has been stated in the past, this is the best estimate given that contractors are reluctant to commit until we are in a position to take shingles off and determine the state of the building condition.
As you can see the tremendous fundraising to date gets us a long way towards the overall cost however, it now comes down to you, our membership. We all need to do our collective part in this overall fundraising process.
The expected funds from the capital call should raise between $ 350-400K. We know this capital call is not popular but it is necessary. Through the success to date of the capital campaign, as stated above we are adjusting the Capital Call to a much fairer per / person charge. Hopefully this addresses concerns raised by many members over the past couple of months.
The Capital Call funds will first be prioritized towards the building repair costs as I know for many this is where your primary interest is. We are listening and we are trying to be responsive to your concerns.
The Capital Call is currently set at $1600 for couples/families and $800 for singles over 30. We will initiate the capital call in 2 parts; 50% now and the remainder in the new year depending on our fundraising levels to address the overall costs. Should continuing fundraising and grant application results position us to reduce the second half of the capital call we will do so.
You will receive an invoice from Kim for the Capital Call shortly and we encourage you to make payment through a cheque or e-transfers so that we can avoid the 3+% credit card bank charges. I know a few have already paid their capital call in full and we certainly appreciate this. It is important that we have the funds on hand to support payments to Eagle Beach.
Our broader fundraising efforts continue as they are critical to our overall success. If you have not been approached individually it is because a small group is working to connect across a broad membership. Please do not wait to be asked. I am available to discuss your donation and answer any questions. We would appreciate any additional help that can be offered at this time in support of this effort, paid as follows:
- Cheques can be made out to the Municipality of Chester. It is very important to memo Chester Yacht Club, and include your name and address for tax receipt information and sent to:
Municipality of Chester, 151 King Street, PO Box 369, Chester, Nova Scotia, B0J 1J0
- E-Transfers can be sent to [email protected] with a note stating this for Chester Yacht Club, plus your name and mailing address for the Tax Receipt.
Thank you for your patience and support.
Jennifer Chandler, CYC Commodore
Chester Race Week | Future Dates
Facebook Feed
We’re bringing a little taste of the Mediterranean to Chester Yacht Club! Join us for a flavourful evening featuring a delicious Greek meal from Ela! Greek Taverna, served by our always-wonderful CYC Social Committee.
Cost is...
https://taketheleadhalifax.ca/frank-denis.
We hear that there...
CALENDAR
CYC Webcam by Tradewinds Realty
Chester Yacht Club (CYC) is a private sailing club situated on beautiful Mahone Bay with excellent access to the best sailing in Canada. CYC is host to Canada’s largest keelboat regatta, Chester Race Week, the much anticipated and highly regarded annual Opti Jam dinghy regatta, and is home to robust and internationally respected IOD and Bluenose fleets. Our objective is to encourage Club members to become more proficient in the personal management, maintenance and handling of their boats; to promote safety, proper navigation and seamanship; to provide social and instructional activities in the interests of all Club members and their guests; and to enhance the sport of sailing within our membership and community.
Coming UP at CYC
CYC NEWS
We’re looking forward to another unforgettable season of connection, celebration, and community at CYC! From casual dinners to special celebrations, speaker nights to sailing awards—we’ve packed this season with events for every kind of member. Mark your calendars and join us for these exciting upcoming events: MAY Thursday May 29 – Race Rules Seminar Friday May 30 – First Friday Member Social JUNE Friday June 13 – NEW Members Social Friday June 27 – Baked Potato Bar JULY Tuesday July 1 – Canada Day festivities + Raising the Wharf: A Celebration of Community Friday July 4 – Thank You Appreciation Social for Chester Volunteer Fire Department Sunday July 6 – Afternoon Tea Social Wednesday July 9 – Our summer Speaker Series Begins with: Breaking Barriers: The First All-Woman Crew in the Marblehead to Halifax Race In 1979, a determined group of women made history as the first all-woman crew to sail in the iconic Marblehead to Halifax Race. Their journey was one of courage, friendship, and breaking barriers in the sailing world. Join us for an engaging evening as Gretchen McCurdy and several of her crewmates share their stories, memories, and the excitement of that unforgettable race. Friday July 11 – CanBoat & Lisa Ross are our Guests Wednesday July 16 – Little Black Dress Social Wednesday July 23 – Speaker Series Continues with: MICA’s history, acquisitions & ongoing projects (illustrated talk) Join us for an inspiring evening as Syd Dumaresq and John Meisner share the story of the Mahone Islands Conservation Association (MICA) — how a group of local residents came together to protect the natural beauty and traditional use of the Mahone Bay Islands, and the progress they’ve made over the past two decades. MICA’s mission: To protect and conserve the natural environment of the islands and shoreline of Mahone Bay, and the traditional, social, and recreational opportunities valued by its various communities. Friday July 29 – Build-Your-Own Curry Bowl Night AUGUST Wednesday August 6 – Speaker Series Continues: High Tide, Ben Heisler & The Chester Sailing Society Friday August 8 – Commodore Dinner Dance Wednesday August 20 – Trivia Evening Sunday August 30 – Commodore’s Picnic on Quaker Island SEPTEMBER Friday September 5 – Corn Boil OCTOBER Friday October 3 – End of Season Sailing Awards Saturday October 25 – Halloween Dance with Dark & Stormy Band Stay tuned for more info on each event through our regular weekly membership newsletter emails! We can’t wait to see you this season! Cathy Ross, CYC Vice Commodore and CYC Social Committee Get ready to set sail this summer! ⛵ Registration for the 2025 CYC Junior Sailing Program is now open! Spaces fill up fast—don’t miss your chance to be part of an unforgettable summer of sailing, fun, and friendships at CYC! ⚓ REGISTRATION DATES: SESSION DATES 2025: WET FEET PROGRAM (Ages 5-7) Stay tuned for registration links and details! #CYCJuniorSailing #LearnToSail #ChesterNS #SummerOnTheWater CYC Members, The note you’ve all been waiting for…The Capital Call I am pleased to provide a progress update on our collective efforts around the Wharf and the Building restoration work. Quite simply, much has been accomplished and our team has been extremely focused. Now a look at the numbers so that everyone has an appreciation of the challenges we’ve been working through over the past couple of months. First, the Wharf and associated components: This is without question a significant project with a considerable price tag but necessary to maintain our wharf and the large role it plays for the club. As you all know, nothing these days comes cheap. The alternative of building a new wharf from the ground up is considerably more expensive, as we have shared previously. Second, the Building: As you can see the tremendous fundraising to date gets us a long way towards the overall cost however, it now comes down to you, our membership. We all need to do our collective part in this overall fundraising process. The expected funds from the capital call should raise between $ 350-400K. We know this capital call is not popular but it is necessary. Through the success to date of the capital campaign, as stated above we are adjusting the Capital Call to a much fairer per / person charge. Hopefully this addresses concerns raised by many members over the past couple of months. The Capital Call funds will first be prioritized towards the building repair costs as I know for many this is where your primary interest is. We are listening and we are trying to be responsive to your concerns. The Capital Call is currently set at $1600 for couples/families and $800 for singles over 30. We will initiate the capital call in 2 parts; 50% now and the remainder in the new year depending on our fundraising levels to address the overall costs. Should continuing fundraising and grant application results position us to reduce the second half of the capital call we will do so. You will receive an invoice from Kim for the Capital Call shortly and we encourage you to make payment through a cheque or e-transfers so that we can avoid the 3+% credit card bank charges. I know a few have already paid their capital call in full and we certainly appreciate this. It is important that we have the funds on hand to support payments to Eagle Beach. Our broader fundraising efforts continue as they are critical to our overall success. If you have not been approached individually it is because a small group is working to connect across a broad membership. Please do not wait to be asked. I am available to discuss your donation and answer any questions. We would appreciate any additional help that can be offered at this time in support of this effort, paid as follows: Municipality of Chester, 151 King Street, PO Box 369, Chester, Nova Scotia, B0J 1J0 Thank you for your patience and support. Jennifer Chandler, CYC Commodore 
CYC 2025 Social Calendar Highlights – Mark Your Calendar!
Bring a dish to share and enjoy good food and great company at our first Friday evening gathering of the year.
Here’s what’s happening:
Plaque unveiling & donor recognition 5pm
• Food truck on the clubhouse grounds
• Dance to Live music by Rec Room Jams Band, 6:30–9:30pm
Brookes Diamond will share stories about High Tide, Ben Heisler and the Chester Sailing Society. You will hear some great stories full of laughter and local lore.
Chester Yacht Club Junior Sailing Registration is OPEN!
⚓ February 15 – Senior & Senior Family Members
⚓ February 22 – Senior Member Grandparents Registering Their Grands
⚓ March 1 – Open to Everyone!
Session 1: June 30 – July 11
Session 2: July 14 – 25
Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Session 4: August 18 – 29
Perfect for our youngest sailors to get comfortable on the water!
⚓ Session 1: June 30 – July 4
⚓ Session 2: July 7 – 11
⚓ Session 3: July 14 – 18
⚓ Session 4: July 21 – 25
⚓ Session 5: July 28 – August 1
⚓ Session 6: August 4 – 8
⚓ Session 7: August 18 – 22
⚓ Session 8: August 25 – 29
Chester Race Week | Future Dates
Facebook Feed
We’re bringing a little taste of the Mediterranean to Chester Yacht Club! Join us for a flavourful evening featuring a delicious Greek meal from Ela! Greek Taverna, served by our always-wonderful CYC Social Committee.
Cost is...
https://taketheleadhalifax.ca/frank-denis.
We hear that there...