The Club de Voile Grande-Rivière is a yacht club located on the Quebec side of Lac Deschênes in the city of Gatineau, more specifically within the district of Aylmer, in the vicinity of the Parc des Cèdres.
History
The Club de Voile Grande-Rivière was officially formed in 1974 as a non-profit organization whose mission it is to "gather sailing enthusiasts through social activities, racing and formation as well as to manage the marina's facilities." A few years later, in 1975, the École de Voile de l'Outaouais, a school designed to teach the sport of sailing to the public, opened its doors and has since been affiliated with the CVGR. In 2002, for its 25th birthday, the CVGR built itself its current clubhouse, conforming to the city of Aylmer's architectural heritage, within which the club's members could meet. In the summer of 2007, a brutal storm passed through the area, resulting in the destruction of most of the docks which were located at the CVGR. In the aftermath of the storm, the club fitted itself with five new docks offering personal dockside water and electricity to all its members.
Facilities
The Club de Voile Grande-Rivière's marina consists of the five above-mentioned docks, which serve its nearly 200 members, as well as a sixth dock for visiting boats. As such, boats from visiting marinas, such as the Nepean Sailing Club or Brittania Yacht Club with whom the CVGR shares reciprocal services can visit, as well as boats from outside town which can be launched from their trailers. There are also dry slips available for dinghy sailboats as well as catamarans. The boathouse offers washrooms, a shower, a kitchen, a recreational room for social activities as well as a balcony overlooking the marina. Furthermore, the CVGR's boat yard provides winter storage to nearly 100 boats. The sailing school owns close to 15 dinghy sailboats of different classes; Laser, Topaz and 420 as well as a fleet of kayaks, canoes, paddleboats and paddleboards which are available for rentals.
Activities
Every year, the Club de Voile Grande-Rivière offers training programs through its sailing school in the form of a summer campfor kids and of private lessons for adults, as well as rentals of their dinghy sailboats and of other small watercraft. The École de Voile de l'Outaouais was designated in 2016 as the best sailing school in Quebec by the Quebec Sailing Federation. Furthermore, the CVGR organizes social events for its members, such as nautical sales, dinners at the club or offshore parties. The CVGR also organizes a club regatta which is held on Wednesday nights on Lac Deschênes, offering PHRF races which are also open to members of affiliate yacht clubs.
