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.


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CYC NEWS

Helly Hansen Chester Race Week 2021 INFORMATION

CYC Members:
Please note that due to COVID-19 restrictions, capacity for Chester Yacht Club/Chester Race Week grounds is reduced and the CYC clubhouse is CLOSED TO CYC MEMBERS and the PUBLIC from Wednesday August 11 to Saturday August 14.There will be seating outside in Tent & on the grounds of the clubhouse & full bar service from 1000 to 2330.

There will be designated entrances and exits and security will be asking for everyone to check in with SMS check-in system for contact information.

The entertainment will play outside on the deck or on the wharf weather permitting. This a SIT-DOWN EVENT in the tent and/or seating on the grounds the yacht club. MASKS are mandatory everywhere on the CYC grounds unless you are seated at your table. You may line up (physical distancing) to purchase drink tickets and to purchase food from the food truck.

  • No bracelets – no cover charge
  • Security will be monitoring crowd control of the 250 gathering limit
  • ENTRANCE-only at bottom of driveway
  • EXIT-only at stairs by gazebo
  • Drink tickets will be sold through window on the front deck of clubhouse; maintain physical distancing while in line.
  • Beverage service will be provided at your table – have your drink ticket ready
  • You will be able to pass through the junior ramp to on the west side of CYC wharf to pick up or deliver crew without affecting our 250 gathering limit

PLEASE READ:
Chester Race Week (CRW) is planned within Nova Scotia Public Health’s COVID-19 health and safety guidelines for Phase 4 of the NS reopening plan, which are subject to change. For the safety of everyone in attendance, prior to arrival, you and everyone in your group should complete a COVID-19 self assessment. By entering the Chester Yacht Club property, you are confirming that in the 14 days leading up to the start of our regatta, you and persons in your household have NOT:

  • travelled outside the region approved by the Nova Scotia government
  • been exposed to COVID-19, and are not awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test
  • exhibited any COVID-19 symptoms

Contact information with an automated SMS check-in system will be monitored by CRW security for Public Health contact tracing purposes. If someone does not a phone, security will take down person’s name & contact information.

For a list of COVID-19 symptoms, up-to-date information on COVID-19 exposure notices, and isolation requirements, including travel restrictions, please visit: https://novascotia.ca/coronavirus/  Testing is not required, but always encouraged. CRW is in conversations now with NS Public Health to arrange for a COVID-19 rapid test site offsite in the Village of Chester to be held on Wednesday August 11th from 0830 to Noon, more info visit: https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirustesting

CRW grounds are licensed so everyone must be at least 19 years of age after 9pm; VALID ID IS REQUIRED

  • Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance and on tables.
  • MASKS are MANDATORY unless you are seated
  • You must remain seated at your table except when going to and from the Food Truck, ticket window or washrooms or exiting the grounds.
  • When ordering & picking up your food order from Purple People Feeder food truck, please take directly back to your table. Please maintain two metres/six feet distance others while waiting in line.
  • Beverage service will be provided at your table – Have your drink ticket ready!
  • No mingling
  • Our top priority is the health and safety of all Nova Scotians

For more information go to HH Chester Race Week website:  http://www.chesterraceweek.com

Daily PRIZE Draws:  Names of registered skippers and their crew members will be randomly drawn daily.  Prizes will be delivered to yachts at the finish lines – smile for the camera!  GOOD LUCK everyone!   Prizes donated by our prize sponsors: Charm Diamond, Playwear Apparel, Surrette Battery, NOR°EASTER APPAREL, Party Ice & more

Bluenose II is coming for Chester Race Week as part of her Centennial Sail Past! She arrives on Tuesday August 10 and will be at anchor in the front harbour on Tuesday 10th & Wednesday 11th, departing Thursday 12th am. There will be a Bluenose Mobile Exhibit & pop-up Shop parked at the gazebo, Parade Square. Visit the exhibit/shop: Tuesday, August 10 open Noon to 7 pm & Wednesday, August 11 open Noon to 6 pm.  Bluenose will fire the cannon at 1000 to pen HH Chester Race Week and she will fire the cannon again when leaving Chester Harbour on Thursday morning.

HMCS Oriole / NCSM Oriole will be visiting Chester Race Week too! The ship is conducting her Centennial Atlantic Canada tour in celebration of its 100th anniversary.
We are super excited to have these two visiting Canadian sailing icons, Bluenose & Oriole, that are both 100 years young and celebrating their Centennial Atlantic Canada tours!

FOOD AND BEVERAGES
  • Food truck PURPLE PEOPLE FEEDER will be on the Chester Yacht Club grounds day and night; Open 1000 – 2300
  • FULL bar service in TENT on the Chester Yacht Club grounds 1000-2130
  • Complimentary Tim Hortons Coffee & timbits 0830 – 1100
  • Ice can be purchased on site
  • Hand washing stations by portable toilets
  • Please review COVID-19 protocols above
  • Please use appropriate recycling bags and containers.
SOCIAL SCHEDULEWednesday, August 11
KEITHS DAY – Thank You to our Sponsor Keiths who will be at the club & on the water with some surprises after the racing Wednesday!
0900                    Complimentary Tim Hortons Coffee & timbits on the deck
0900                    Bar and Beverage ticket Sales Open
1000                     Cannon firing by Bluenose II to open HH Chester Race Week 2021
1000                    Virtual Opening Ceremonies of HH Chester Race Week on facebook
1145                      Yachts ready for racing
1600 – 1700       Yachts finishing
1600 – 2000       Live music on the deck by Shawn Hebb
1830                      Virtual Award & Prize Presentations for Wednesday – facebook live
2000 – 2300       Live music on the deck by HOPPING PENGUINS!!
2330                     Last Call

Thursday, August 12
GOSLINGS DAY -Thank You to Sponsor Goslings who will be at the club & on the water with some surprises after the racing Thursday!
0900                      Complimentary Tim Hortons Coffee & timbits on the deck
0900-0945            Talks on the Deck with Andreas Josenhans
0900                       Bar and Beverage ticket Sales Open
1145                         Yachts ready for racing
1600 – 1700           Yachts finishing
1700 – 1800           GOSLING DAY! Goslings on the grounds with surprises
1600 – 2000          Live music by Kevin Koloff
1830                        Virtual Award & Prize Presentations for Thursday – facebook live
2000 – 2300          Live music on the deck by HOPPING PENGUINS!!
2330                        Last Call

Friday, August 13
BLUE LOBSTER DAY  -Thank You to Sponsor Blue Lobster Vodka who will be at the club & on the water with some surprises after the racing Friday!
0900                        Complimentary Tim Hortons Coffee & timbits on the deck
0900-0945               Talks on the Deck with Andreas Josenhans
0900                        Bar and Beverage ticket Sales Open
1145                        Yachts ready for racing
1600 – 1700            Yachts finishing
1600 – 2000            Blue Lobster Day! Happy Hour pricing Blue Lobster coolers and Vodka
1600 – 1830            Live music on the Deck by acoustic duo of Tyler Key and Scott Harnish
1830 – 2000             Live music on the deck by Shawn Hebb
1830                        Virtual Award presentation & Draws for Prizes for Friday – facebook live
2000 – 2300            Live music on the deck by acoustic duo of Tyler Key and Scott Harnish
2330                        Last call

Saturday, August 14
0900                        Complimentary Tim Hortons Coffee & timbits on the deck
0900                        Bar and Beverage ticket Sales Open
1145                        Yachts ready for racing
1600 – 1700            Yachts finishing
1600 – 2000            Live music on the Deck by Brooklyn Blackmore
1800                        Draws for Prizes & Award Presentation for Saturday – facebook live
1830                        Overall Trophy Presentations
2000 – 2300            Live music by local band ‘Dark and Stormy

Thank You to Sponsor Dormie Workshop who is supplying the Overall Awards to winning yachts!  Dormie has created one-of-a-kind leather belts that is taking the race week overall awards to a new level.  

BEVERAGE TICKETS
  • Ticket window is open from 0900 to 2100 on Wednesday and 1000 to 2300 on Thursday through Saturday.
  • Beverage tickets are $7.00 for a single beverage and $32.00 for a book of five, including tax and tip.
  • You must be 19 yrs of age after 2100
  • Chester Race Week t-shirts and caps are available for purchase at the ticket window.
RACE WEEK COMMITTEE
Principal Race Officer             Daniel Conrod             [email protected]
CRW On-Water Chair             Patricia Nelder            [email protected]
Sponsorship                           Jennifer Chandler
CRW Registration                  Janice Anderson          [email protected]
Media Officer                          Suzanne Rent             [email protected]
Trophies                                  Sue McAlpine
Race Equipment Coordinator  Patricia Finlay
Volunteer Coordinator Land    MJ Saffrey
CRW On-Land Chair               Kim Johnson               [email protected]RACE OFFICERS
PHRF Nova Scotia Distance   Daniel Conrod, PRO
PHRF Nova Scotia Inshore     Luke Porter
One Design Course                 Liz Shaw
Bluenose Course                     Peter Van Muyden
Scorer                                      David Borrowman

CYC EXECUTIVE
Commodore                            David Creighton
Rear Commodore                   Sean Pearce
Vice Commodore                    Jennifer Chandler
Treasurer                                 Lara Parsons

Thanks to our loyal and hard working volunteers, staff and race-management team!

GENERAL INFORMATION

Tender Service             CYC complimentary service will be available from 0900 – 1230 and 1800 to 2100.
VHF Channel 71 or call 902-275-3747

Merchandise                  Chester Race Week t-shirts & caps will be for sale at the ticket window during race week

We encourage CYC members and HH CRW participants to listen to the music from their moored yachts, from their wharf, from Freda’s Beach…..

Sponsors make it possible, volunteers make it happen


Chester Race Week | Future Dates


YearDate
2026August 12 to 15
2027August 11 to 14
2028August 16 to 19

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Chester Yacht Club
Chester Yacht Club4 days ago
Ever thought about learning to sail? ⛵️

Join us at Chester Yacht Club for relaxed evening sessions on the water - No experience needed.

4 sessions available
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Thank you!
To the volunteers who give their time, energy, and heart to Chester Yacht Club, we are so grateful.

You make it all happen.

HAPPY National Volunteer Week 💙

#chesteryachtclub #chesterns #nationalvolunteerweek #thankyou #volunteersarethebest💕
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@chesterycjuniorsailing
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Our Adult Sailing program is back for 2026 - a great way to get out on the water, build confidence, and learn something new.
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