The first record of sailing on Lake of the Woods dates back to 1845 when the Hudson’s Bay Company introduced York Boats to support the transportation of their furs. These boats were equipped with sails that were used in favourable conditions. The earliest camps were built on Keewatin Beach and for twenty years, until the first motorboats were introduced in the late 1890’s, canoeing, rowing and sailing were the only means of transportation.
These early campers gathered on Sundays on the west end of Keewatin Beach and participated in sailing, rowing, and gymkhana events. By 1898 cruising races started from a site on McMillan Island. One of the earliest of these cruises was up the Keewatin Channel to Galt Island where G.F Galt and his family hosted a picnic lunch. The cruising race took all day and it was something families looked forward to with great anticipation.
Contact Info
Address:
Black Fan Rd, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1HA, United Kingdom
Website: www.socasailing.org.uk