We know that when you choose a yacht club, you choose a second home, a place to spend your summers, have fun with kids and grandkids…and delight in cruising life.
At Trident, we really take that to heart, and have built a community of boaters that work and play as a family. We have members who have been at Trident for 30 years and have seen immense change, some who have grown up at Trident and are now raising kids in the boating lifestyle, and some that have visited our Club often and have finally made the leap to join.
Figures, and dollars and amenities tell you what you will get with a membership, but here are some of our members to tell you what it feels like to be a member!
Tamara and I have been sailing in the 1000 Islands for the better part of 20 years for our summer holidays. Our journey from Whitby would invariably take us past Trident as we rushed to the islands in order to slow down and relax. We always admired the club, grounds, and the location as we sailed by. After several years, we grew weary of the trip from Whitby to the islands and the unknown that awaited us rounding presquille point on the way home. One summer evening at anchor in the islands, long time friends John and Pam Harding recommended Trident as a new home – we jumped at the idea!
We were welcomed with open arms when we joined in 2017.
Trident’s idyllic location and proximity to the islands made the 2 hour drive from Whitby more than worth it. Our two Labrador Retrievers love being at the club with the swimming, walking, and greeting everyone as they stop by to say ‘hi’
TYC is a community and an extension of our family. We joke that there is not a better place to wake up to than the view at our slip in Trident. It always feels like a vacation when we are are the club regardless of the weather.
Having both recently retired and moved to the Kingston area, we are looking forward to shorter drives and spending more time in and around the club.
– David & Tamara Sutherland, S/V Dog Days, Hunter 41
“Cruising and discovering the 1000 Islands was one of the first ideas that came to our minds when we thought about getting our first sailboat. Then, discussions with family and friends who knew the area well led us to the Trident Yacht Club. When we were offered the chance to be sponsored to join Trident, our first question was, “Could we manage the 2-3 hour drive from Montreal every weekend?” We decided to give it a try. Five years later, we are still happy with that decision.
What makes TYC amazing is its location. Depending on the weather, our confidence level, or our mood, there is always an opportunity to disconnect from our routine. We can find a spot to anchor in the 1000 Islands, improve our sailing skills in the Forty Acres, or step out of our comfort zone by cruising Lake Ontario to discover new places. We can even stay at the dock to enjoy social time with a great community.
Over the past five years, our family has experienced many memorable adventures. This year, we managed to cruise for ten days and live the vagabond life on Lake Ontario. We uncovered more hidden history of the region, tasted more local products, and became more aware of our ecological footprint and how to reduce it. We have also learned so much from other members who kindly share their tips, local knowledge, and adventures, always with lots of laughs. Trident has become our second home, and the facilities make it even easier for our family to enjoy.
And what about the 2-3 hour drive from Montreal? We do not even think about it anymore. We consider it a trip to our super cottage, and we get better organized every year. Every member of our family is growing, and even though we each enjoy different activities, Trident allows us to keep everyone happy.”
– Alister Moore and Marie-Claire Caillard, S/V Siempre, Catalina 30
“Lucy and I were introduced to Trident by our yacht broker (a longstanding member) when we were looking for a slip to accommodate our (new to us) sailboat. Upon visiting it was clear to us that the club had more to offer than nearby marinas, and was closer to Ottawa than most other options.
I can say that the greatest asset at Trident is the membership, particularly the volunteers who devote their time on committees and the executive. There is no profit motive in the club’s operations, it is driven by a commitment to sustaining a positive and fun community for boaters and their families.
As a relatively new keelboat sailors my wife and I were warmly welcomed and have benefited greatly from the advice and support from our dock neighbours, and professional staff. The location enables short trips to beautiful Thousand Island anchorages and convenient sailing into Lake Ontario proper. I enjoy working with the volunteer crews on maintenance and upkeep of the club and docks, a feature of this community that fosters collaboration and friendship.
The Annual Pirate Dinghy Run is an absolute riot on the water! Adults, kids and wannabe pirates dress up, decorate their dinghies and battle until the last squirt gun, bucket of water and AAARRRGGGHH! is spent. I look forward to when my baby grandson is old enough to join the fray.
I would heartily recommend any sailor on any boat to consider membership at Trident. In my opinion it is the best managed, down to earth and practical spot to enjoy the boating life.”
– Bruce Craig and Lucy Webster, S/V MayRose, Beneteau 393
“Trident Yacht Club is truly a community gem, filled with a wealth of knowledge that flows effortlessly in a welcoming environment. Our journey in sailing began with our four children at Nepean Sailing Club, and it has now grown into sailing with our extended family at Trident. The Thousand Islands, rated as one of the top 10 playgrounds in the world by Cruising World magazine, is at our doorstep, with Trident as the perfect central port.
Our kids love the freedom to explore the different islands, whether it’s swimming, paddle boarding, fishing, or enjoying the beauty of nature right at the dock. The grounds are stunning, and even when we’re just relaxing at the dock, the atmosphere is perfect for making lifelong memories.”
– Suzanne and Pierre de Gagné, S/V BON VIVANT
“We are a young family, living locally with our first sailboat (Catalina 30 MKII) who wanted to experience the beauty and potential our backyard (the 1000 islands) had to offer so we took a chance after 2 summers of sailing lessons at KYC and purchased our first boat. We knew we wanted to be members of a yacht club to connect with and tap into the expertise of other sailors. After 1 brief tour of TYC in the fall post harbour de-commissioning we knew it was where we wanted our boat home to be.
The grounds truly are a beautiful place geared to meet the needs of individuals at all stages including kids with the playground which was important to us having an 18 month old and another baby on the way when we joined in 2021. After the first year we realized Trident was more than just a great facility in an ideal location for the type of cruising we would be doing with our family, it is an entire community and we have made many friends in the past 4 seasons here.
We will be coming back to TYC likely as long as we own a boat for the community and support other boaters have offered us; the lessons and advice have been invaluable to us and also the proximity to the 1000 islands. We also thoroughly enjoy the events (mostly the family friendly events we attend at this stage) ie. the mini cruise, BBQs, Dinghy pirate poker run, movie nights and eventually we will be ready to tackle the long distance cruise and maybe a race!
I don’t think our knowledge of boat maintenance and sailing would be anywhere near what it is now if we moored at a marina. If you like a great location for cruising the 1000 islands and a great crew of fellow sailors and boaters always willing to help then I would definitely recommend TYC! ”
– Jessie + Dave, S/V Ohana, Catalina 30
“I grew up at TYC, and my kids have grown up here as well.
Everywhere we go here there is ‘family’ we know and love. Trident is our second home and truly one of my favourite places in the whole world!”
Kelly Legault
Member and Past Social Director
Kermac IV, Island Packet 35
“Our membership is quite varied with people from Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. It’s not uncommon to hear conversations where members naturally switch between English and French. It reflects Kingston’s bilingual culture.
We have made lifelong friends here and are looking forward to many more years as Trident members.”
– Maurice Doran & Nathalie Poulin, S/V Azimut, Hunter 33
“Trident is our little place in paradise! Socializing with our dock neighbours (human and furry!) is a favourite… sailors and power boaters all together having a wonderful time! The club has a great social activities too, with lots of get-togethers and everyone working together to create lots of fun!
We also love the access to the fabulous 1,000 islands, up the Rideau Canal or into Kingston, Belleville or Brockville – all close by!”
– Janice Grant, Member since 2018 (with husband Mike Dixon)
Monday Morning, Trendsetter
“We love TYC! From the time we joined in 2010, it has been our second home from May through September.
We joined TYC because of the sailing opportunities offered by it’s perfect location. Today TYC still fulfills that promise of great sailing, but is now also the centre of our social world, and not just in the summer, but all year round.
From the quiet at our dock on a weekday evening to the bustle of a community BBQ on a Friday night, or the thrill of racing with and against our friends in a club race, to the many social events and impromptu gatherings…we love it all.”
– Lee Gerig & Carole Jodouin, S/V Keelingtime, Catalina 40 MkII
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