On July 1st held our second (maybe third?) Canada Day Family Day. 

Many thanks to Mike McKnight for organizing.   Approximately 30 members and family attended the event.

Mike whipped up a tasty sweet brisket with rice and watermelon for dessert.  For those with a sweet tooth some Oreos showed up a little later!

It was a hot sweltering day with many using the beach, making it a challenge for the sailors to get their boats to the water's edge. 

About 7 boats made it out for a good sail before the rain came through. 

On behalf of the executive team and the club, many thanks to Mike McKnight for organizing and feeding us! 

 

Our Annual Regatta is only 2.5 months away.  This year we are also hosting the 2026 Canadian F18 Championship during the Regatta Weekend.  Registration and Information to follow.

Our commodore, Mauro Spagnolo, has won the AJ Dunn Sport Person of the Year award!

The award was presented on June 15, 2026 at the annual Burlington Sports Alliance dinner.  In attendance were 20+ BBCC and family members.  It was a fun evening supporting Mauro and all the award winning Burlington athletes.

The Dunn Award has been presented annually for four decades to a person “whose leadership and initiative over a number of years has led to the advancement of sport within the Burlington community.” 

This is for recognizing Mauro as Volunteer Sport Builder of the Year for the advancement of Sport in Burlington in his role in expanding access to multihull dinghy sailing, welcoming newcomers, mentoring developing sailors, and ensuring safe, inclusive programming. Over recent years, his leadership has transformed the BBCC from a modest local club into a widely recognized international sailing organization hosting, the 2022 A-Cat North American Championships, the 2023 F18 North American Championships, the 2025 Hobie Cat 14 North American Championships and the upcoming 2026 Canadian F18 Championships as part of the annual BUMS open regatta.

 Congratulations to Mauro!

Fleet 204 hosted the 50th Anniversary Regatta on Lake Oneida in Syracuse New York.  A total of 113 boats participated, with sailors travelling from across the United States and beyond, including competitors from Florida, California, Texas, and Puerto Rico.. BBCC was well represented with 6 participants: Hobie 16 (Brian & Rachael), Hobie 14 (Mike and Andy) and Wave (Vince and Mauro).  The 50th Madcatter delivered everything sailors hoped for: massive fleets, high-energy racing, and an unforgettable social atmosphere. Evenings featured live music, a beach DJ, and volunteers greeting sailors with drinks and hors d’oeuvres the moment boats hit the shore. More importantly, the event brought together current sailors, former competitors, and longtime friends for a true celebration of 50 years of Hobie sailing tradition.  Congratulations to Mike and Andy finishing 4th and 5th in the Hobe 14 Class (11 boats in Class), Brian and Rachael at 21st for the Hobie 16 Class (41 total Class Racers).

Four BBCC Sailors (Mike, Andy, Brian and Rachael) double staked their boats and joined an international list of participants for the 2026 Hobie 14 NA Championships & Women’s North American Championship.  Sailors included top Hobie 14 sailors from North America, Europe, and Australia.  The Regatta ran for four days of high-energy, one-design racing on the emerald waters of Choctawhatchee Bay.  Congratulations to Mike for placing 10th out of 34 participants and Rachael placing 6th out of 9 participants in the Woman's division.

Congratulations to Larry, Todd and Andrew Woods who represented BBCC at the 2026 NA Championships at the Carlyle Sailing Club, 50 miles East of St Louis.  Conditions ranged from Zero wind to "Spicy" at 18kts with gusts to 24kts.    Andy finished 4th in the Foiling Class with Larry in 6th place.  Todd was in 2nd Place in the Classic Class but lost the entire second day of racing due to the sail hook shearing off during the first race of the 2nd day.  Overall great results for our Canadian BBCC team.

 

Congratulations to Irene McKneill (BBCC Ambassador 2025) for being selected for the Order of Canada!. The Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation.  Irene is an enthusiastic promoter of sailing and has been a strong contributor to our club helping run our 3 North American championships.

Irene, was appointed Canada’s first female International Race Officer by World Sailing in 2012. She has run many international regattas in Canada, the US, the Caribbean and Europe. Along with Sail Canada, she has championed many initiatives to increase the number of women in race management and improve skills development. Irene has served on or chaired committees at Sail Canada, Ontario Sailing, and CORK. Most notable, Irene was Chair of the Race Management Committee and currently sits on the Sailing Appeals Committee of Sail Canada.  

Congratulation Irene on this prestigious appointment.

 

A photo from the Hobie 14 NA Championship was selected by the Mayor of Burlington, to represent the August month of the City of Burlington 2026 Official Calendar.  Great recognition for the club.