 In 1987, Dan Penner was living on the hillside in White Rock overlooking Semiahmoo Bay and began sailing locally by crewing on a 35’ Pretorian that raced every second weekend in the Spring and Fall. He wanted to enjoy the sport during the summer as well, so he called the City of White Rock and the Chamber of Commerce to enquire about the existence of local Sailing Clubs. After some time he was referred to the Lower Mainland Yacht Co-op, which is based at the White Rock Pier. Unfortunately, the LMYC waiting list was “several years” long, so Dan asked if there were other “keeners” on the list who might be interested in starting another club on their own. He contacted them, had a meeting and hashed out a quick “down and dirty plot” that resulted in the purchase of PLYM, a 21’ Northwest that came with space at the pier. The next year, with more members, the newly-formed Waterline Sailing Cooperative Yacht Club acquired TREBLE CLEF, a 26’ Rawson, but unfortunately there was no docking space at the pier for her. Then Terry Kelly, a local actor, joined the coop bringing along his 18’ wooden homebuilt and trailer, a 9.9 Merc outboard and “another space at the pier”. The 18’ boat and trailer were sold, and the club now had two boats and two spaces at the pier. Several years later, PLYM was replaced by SNUG a 26’ Columbia, and TREBLE CLEF was replaced by MALOLO, a 30’ Newport MKII. In 1999, SNUG was replaced by HAPPY ‘OURS a 29’ Lancer MKII, in 2000,MALOLO was replaced by ESQUIRE, a 30’ Newport MKIII and in 2010, Happy 'Ours was replaced by Silver Sword, a 1989 28' Hunter.  Many of our members use the boats for “Bay Sailing” within Semihamoo Bay and Boundary Bay. Because the pier is situated right on Semihamoo Bay, the sails can be hoisted within minutes of leaving the dock, giving more time for sailing rather than being “in transit”. The pier is also adjacent to White Rock’s Marine Drive “Restaurant Row” and a popular promenade. During warm summer days and evenings it is not unusual for members to order take-out food from one of the many restaurants along the waterfront, or bring a picnic basket and head out into the bay to watch the sunset. When the weather is too rough for safe sailing, the moored boats can provide a charming and rather unique setting for a “cockpit picnic". You will find yourself filled with a yearning to linger here, a place where time stands still and beauty overwhelms. Waterline Sailing Cooperative Executives David Fisher-Fleming Membership Director Barb Fisher-Fleming Social Director Chester Kwok Treasurer/Director Steve Corcoran Training Director Aiden Colleran Maintenance Director Wayne Edwards Secretary/Treasurer Paul Lilly Commodore |