Burrard Yacht Club
BYC HISTORYBYC History
Burrard Yacht Club was established on May 5, 1932 and held its first official function (a cruise) some three weeks later. The Club was formed out of the Vancouver Rowing Club which in turn had been created in 1899 by the merger of the Burrard Inlet Rowing Club and the Vancouver Inlet Boating Club.
First Chairman of the Yacht Club was Dr. L. F. Marshall.
On March 7, 1933 it was decided that the name should be Burrard Yacht Club and that the senior officer should be called Commodore, a title first held by H. G. Selman. At the same meeting the Club burgee, constitution and annual were all approved. The Club name and burgee were registered at Lloyd’s in 1935, and two years later the Club published its first bulletin under the name “The Foghorn”. This was subsequently renamed “The Trident”.
Shelters were first authorized by the Club in 1957.
In the early 1970’s, the financial demands of the Vancouver Rowing Club increased at an alarming rate, principally to finance the social activities of that club . BYC resisted such unreasonable demands, and relations with the rowing club became increasingly tense as discussions and ultimately a legal battle did not produce any amicable solution. Finally, in order to preserve their independence and existence as a club, BYC members took the decision to relocate. Suitable property was found and purchased in 1977, and in September of that year Club members moved boats and shelters across Burrard Inlet to the present facility in North Vancouver.
This complex project was successfully completed due to the voluntary efforts of many members who contributed much time and effort to make the plans become a viable reality. Over 98% of the membership followed the Club to its new location, and the Official Opening held on October 1st, 1977 was the first official function at the North Vancouver location
Tradition
The Pillars of our Burrard Yacht Club rests firmly on the foundation that was laid more than 90 years ago by yacht men with a burning desire to simply mess about in small boats. It was a time when the City of Vancouver was but a seed planted in fertile ground of men’s and ladies dreams to venture out on the bountiful inlets, passages and seas. British Columbia has then and now thousands of miles of spectacular coastline. It was a time of the essence of new innovation in science and discovery. The tallest build in the BRITISH EMPIRE was the Sun building that dominated Vancouver’s skyline. It is now shadowed many times over.
BURRARD YACHT CLUB was there then. Yachts persons were a rugged bunch with stout wood craft powered by sail and or primitive auxiliary engines. It was a time when a compass being swung was imperative. A vessel with a radio would be considered the very state of scientific advancement. A depth gauge would still at the time have been a lead line. It was a time that our yacht owners would free themselves from peace and of the pleasure of their yachting pleasure and go to war for king and country.
BURRARD YACHT CLUB’s success has been buoyed by standing on the shoulders of those before who have brought forth the traditions that bind our Club today. It is still imperative that members today carry on TRADITION.