As we gear up for this coming summer’s Rendez-vous events, here’s a look back at the fun, frolics, and friendships from last summer’s events held in Ottawa, the Kawartha’s, Gananoque and Orillia this past summer.
A Rendez-vous is a family boating event that’s fun for everyone and every boat! Participants in last summer’s four exciting events ranged in age from young families with young kids; to middle-age empty nesters; to grandparents. They entered everything from small 2-person personal watercraft to 40 foot motor yachts, from homemade boats to pontoons, from aluminum fishing boats to cuddy cabins and weekend express cruisers
Participants of all ages enjoyed the day on, and in some cases, in the water.
Every participant – captain and all crew – attends a mandatory drivers meeting in the morning to have our MC Mr. Dave Kirkland review the safety rules and the day’s course on the water. Dave’s advice on slow speed zones and channel buoys always proves valuable as many of our events are monitored to ensure everyone’s safety by the marine detachment of the local police force.
Boats then congregate out on the water and the Marshall boat raises the yellow flag, then the green flag and another fun Rendez-vous is underway. At each stop, each boat picks up a single playing card in a sealed envelope. At various places along the route, there are five stops where participants must pickup another card, including at the popular lunch stop at a local on-water restaurant or marina, and all five cards are handed in at the Event Trailer at the end of the day to make the poker hand for that boat.
Editor Brad captures a photo of another boat as Doug Johnson navigates the Sea Ray cuddy cabin through the channel.
Todd Taylor presents Steve Sale, owner of Water Hog a 34’ Carver, with the First Place prizes at the final event of the 2011 Rendez-vous season in Orillia.
Dave Kirkland reviewing the Gananoque route with everyone at the drivers meeting.
It doesn’t matter how fast your boat goes, because the winner is determined by the best poker hand. Those hands are revealed one by one. The excitement mounts as one hand beats out another hand until the last hand is finally revealed and first, second and third place winners are announced.
Participants walk away with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes plus some great memories – and photos – of a fun filled family day on the water. Read on and you’ll see what we mean. Then be sure to enter your boat in one or more of our Rendez-vous events for the coming season.
Rendez-Vous Ottawa
A young participant gives their “thumbs up” to the days events.
The Rockland Lions club served up a delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Orleans Boat World entered a Campion 680 Chase cuddy cabin.
The event was sponsored in part by Hurst Marina who had a great display of Meridian, Sea Ray and Malibu boats available for viewing.
Spectators lined the shores.
Entry number 470 had fun in their Princecraft Fishing Boat.
The Mayor of Rockland, Marcel Guibord, showed up to do the honourary start.
Bill Essex and family accept their prizes for a great day on the water.
Rendez-Vous Kawartha’s
Anchor Marine’s Doug Johnson and Andrew Henstridge entered their Mastercraft ski boat and proudly displayed their First Place Trophy from the earlier Ottawa Rendez-vous event.
One of the many beautiful properties along the route.
PBC’s Pierre Savoie waves the green flag to get things underway.
One of Hasting’s Marina entries was their 22’ Supra World’s Edition ski boat.
The fourth card stop was Young’s Point Marina where participants boat handling skills were tested as they skillfully navigated around the gas dock visitors and the traffic approaching the lock.
Russ Logisse was all smiles all day long as he played on his Sea Doo entry number 139.
Stoney Lake Market at Crowe’s Landing was our host venue for the event and provided a delicious lunch served in the newly renovated historic building.
The first place team was all smiles as they collected their prizes.
Rendez-Vous Gananoque
The morning began early with registration at the PBC event trailer and then a full breakfast before the drivers meeting
Caiger’s put on a delicious lunch buffet in their upstairs restaurant and participants were treated to some live music before loading back up for the afternoon restart.
The unique Southland HRV houseboat drew a lot of approving looks as they return from lunch, with the Premiere pontoon boat entry from River Rat Marina not far behind.
Dan Kokiw and his son had a great day aboard their Zodiac inflatable entry.
From unique hats to Bayliner bowriders to brightly covered Rinkers, everyone enjoyed the great weather Mother Nature blessed the event with.
Rendez-Vous Orillia
Although not an official Rendez-vous entry, this amphibious classic car drew a lot of attention from the crowds.
The Orillia town docks were alive with activity and vendors of all kinds.
Lunch at the beautiful Club facilities at Starport Marina on Lake Simcoe.
The King family aboard their 34’ Rinker ‘Phaat Bastard’ express cruiser head out to join the flotilla before the flag drop.
Terry Wetmore loading up his lobster boat ‘Tiny Mouse’ with prizes, and cleaning up the booth after the event was over.
All the Orillia Rendez-vous Event winners who collectively took home a total of over $15,000 in cash and prizes.
