Humber Valley Squadron History

More Than 40 Years of Service

Humber Valley Power and Sail Squadron, a unit of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, has conducted safe boating courses in Etobicoke for over forty years. Beginning in 1958, the courses were first taught at Toronto Humber Yacht Club. In later years, they were offered at Kingsmill Secondary School, and finally at Martingrove Collegiate Institute, where they are taught today.

In 2001 we extended our community base by offering the Boat Pro programme at Loblaws Burnhamthorpe Market “Room Upstairs” located at the southwest corner of Burnhamthorpe Road and The East Mall and also at the Boulevard Club Boathouse located at 1491 Lakeshore Boulevard West.

These courses have always been open to anyone, with a fee to cover the costs. The Squadron is a volunteer organization and the teachers are unpaid volunteers. The students are instructed in such boating safety topics as boat handling, rules of the road, charts and buoys, navigation and weather. Students receive a certificate on successful completion of the course and the exam. Many successful students have become Members of the Squadron and help with instruction of future students. Advanced boating courses are also available for the graduating students.

Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons began developing much-needed courses for children in the early 1980’s. Humber Valley was one of the first Squadrons to work with children. Since 1984, the Squadron has offered the CPS official children’s program, BoatWise, for 8 to 12 year olds and short boating safety programs for younger children. These have been given at Brentwood Library, Richview Library, Islington Community School, Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School, and Yacht Clubs and for Scouts.

Humber Valley Squadron is particularly proud of the fact that two of our Members have contributed significantly to the overall success of Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons by achieving the rank of Chief Commander. They are P/C/C George Bruce, N (69-71) and P/C/C Ted Phillips, N (71-73).

The Squadron has always tried, over the years, to make the public aware of the importance of boating safety. You will often see Humber Valley or it's sister Squadron, Centennial Park, at Etobicoke shopping malls, promoting safety on our waterways.

Humber Valley Squadron will continue to teach safe boating in Etobicoke to students of all ages. We consider it vital to reach as many boaters as possible in this day of crowded recreational waterways in Ontario.