Barry was Commodore when I joined the club and I would see him regularly on the back of his big boat at the centre of the outside dock.
The last few years his boat has not been in its slip but I have had the pleasure of saying hello when he stopped by to visit. Barry did us the great service of taking charge and caring for the club for so many seasons.
The process of putting the Redboine Boating Club docks back in the water has begun. And to celebrate that, I will share the story of one dock in particular. Dock #1 is located at the east end of the row closest to shore and has a well engineered notch for one of the posts that hold the docks in place.
Last year ended with a sudden rise in the river due to record September rainfall and with the rush to get the boats and docks safely out of the water dock #1 was left chained to the post with only a corner of it visible above the surface. The river froze at a very high level and although attempts were made there was no chance to rescue the dock. It spent the winter in the ice.
Spring came and the ice broke up and more attempts were made to rescue the dock. It was tied to shore with a strong rope and plans were being made while the quite high spring flood was happening. The dock broke free of the ice, snapping the rope, and started floating down the river with the ice. Luckily it did not get far and was tied up to the shore just west of the club.
As the spring flood receded, dock #1 was brought to shore and included in the spring repair ritual. After much straightening and board replacement it was put back in the water, the first in, after being by far the last out.
This of course is only a small part of the story. If you want to hear of all the adventure and heroics I think Pat Bohme is the member to ask.
One more historical photo before boating season begins for 2020.
The year is 1960 and Ralph Miller (left) is presenting the clubs first lifetime membership to Chas Harvey who was the original secretary of the club and signed the first lease for the property. Ralph was the treasurer in those early years.
This photo would have been taken in the mid sixties in front of the new clubhouse. I will guess that that is the Commodore raising the triangular R flag. There is another photo that shows a large Canadian flag that was also flying on that pole.
Late in 1963 a building appropriate for use as a club house was found and a plan to acquire it was put in place.
A temporary office for the Toronto Dominion bank was available and the club raised the funds in part by selling shares to members. In the previous 3 years the membership had more than doubled to almost 200.
The share paid off by paying part of the membership fees over the next 7 years.
With record rainfall in September the waters of the Red River have risen to the point where it was dangerous to have our boats attached to the rising docks, so the boating season came to an abrupt end last week. Thank you to all members who helped out and got their boats out of the water on short notice.
Redboine Boat Club 