Toronto Brigantine

Throughout the Victoria Day a group of volunteers worked at the dry dock to get the ship ready for the season. We thank dearly everyone who made time to stop by and help us with this demanding work.

Paul Dennis, President, reports that Playfair had left dry dock on Tuesday, May 25, and is back in Marina Quay West. In the end of the project, Playfair’s 5 year Transport Canada inspection was successfully completed, some steel was replaced and some other retrofit items and basic maintenance completed.

As usual, there is more that needs to be done with more time and funds but for now, we are satisfied with the results of this year’s dry dock initiative. In addition to all the work on the mechanical systems and hull, Playfair was given brand new coats of paint topsides and bottom. She looks really great!!

Here is a thank-you note from Paul:

Congratulations definitely go out to Rhys Weed who coordinated the effort and who has worked tirelessly on this project for the last three weeks while Playfair was in dry dock and many weeks before that planning the details. This project would not have been possible without his dedication and hard work. Rhys received assistance from many volunteers who responded to our call for help and donated their time and skills during the day, in the evenings and on the weekends to get Playfair back in the water.

They are (in no specific order and I apologize if I missed anyone):

Evan Dubblestyne – Rhys meet Evan on a training course at Georgian College in January. Evan has recently graduated with a Marine Engineers degree and volunteered to come down and work with Rhys for an entire week on various mechanical issues

Harry Slade – son of Amanda Slade, alumni and supporter of Brigs. Harry volunteered for most days Playfair was in dry dock contributing over 100 hours of quality work!

Rosie Neale – alumna (Executive Officer) and TBI stalwart

Ashleigh Malone – board member who worked the entire long weekend and more

Anna Mayberry – alumna (Executive Officer) and TBI stalwart

Eva H-D – alumna and good friend of the organization

The Weeds – Kezia (alumna), Joan and Jeff who are always willing to help out

Nancy Dillion – friend and a Weed associate

Liz Greflund – friend

Ben Dennis – alumnus

Ghislain Cote and friend from Montreal who are hoping to start their own Tall Ship program and wanted to come down and help out and learn about our program

Emma Mu – alumna

Jeremy White – alumnus, Board member and Chair of the STOP committee

In addition to our volunteers (and again I apologize if I missed anyone), I would like to recognize all of the Officers who put in many hours after school and on the weekends to help. Special recognition goes to Theo Tsagaris  and Riley King,  TBI’s Executive Officers, who really displayed true leadership and dedication by putting in a phenomenal number of hours working on Playfair and coordinating the efforts of the other Officers.

Finally,  I would like to thank Eric Rogers and his team at Toronto Dry Dock, Gord Sloan and Julian Cloutier who stuck with us throughout the project  and Mark Nye and Nye Manufacturing who donated a welder, Jack (sorry Jack missed your last name), for an entire week (Mark’s son is an Officer in the program).  Without their support, skill and hard work the plate work would not have been completed so well.

As with all things Brigs, in the end, our dry dock success this year was defined by a collection of individuals who displayed a determined commitment for the Programs and great love of the vessels and seamanship.

Thanks everyone for your continued support.

Paul Dennis

TBI has been sail-training youth since 1962.  You can ensure that we will continue to provide the life-transforming experience by supporting us with a planned gift such as a bequest in your will, a gift of life insurance or a charitable annuity.

Making a legacy gift is as simple as thinking about the people and charities that are important to you and considering your support for them after you are gone by:

• Leaving a Bequest (a gift in your will)
• Creating an Endowment at TBI Toronto
• Naming TBI as a beneficiary of a new or existing Life Insurance policy
• Naming TBI as a beneficiary of your RRSP, RRIF or pension

TBI Toronto is a registered Canadian charity; Our Charitable Tax Number is 11926 5924

All personal information and addresses submitted to TBI are confidential. TBI does not make its donor lists available to outside organizations. Please note our legal name is: Toronto Brigantine Incorporated.

TBI staff would be pleased to work with you and your financial advisor to set up a planned gift that best suits your lifestyle. For more information or to make a donation, please call at TBI office at 416-596-7117

The new Spirit of Canada ECO 60 is currently in Port la Foret, France preparing for it’s first transatlantic delivery. The ECO 60 will leave France around May 26th with a crew of 4 and head directly to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia where it will start the transformation to the traditional Spirit of Canada colours and a summer of offshore training and support sailing.

It feels great to be back in sailing mode, I’m looking forward to many miles of training aboard Spirit of Canada in preparation for the Velux 5 Oceans starting this October. The boat is in great shape but we will be conducting a mini refit once we are in Canada to refine the systems. Later in August we will take the boat out of the water to apply a new Nautix white racing bottom. Once we are back in France in September, a new set of race sails will complete the preparations. At this point we are in great shape and I feel very confident with our preparations for my third single handed race around the world. Stay tuned as we sail from France to Canada as regular updates will be posted from the crew. Take care,  Derek

On April 23, 2010, The Boulevard Club, one of the most sophisticated in Toronto waterfront private sports, recreation and family club, hosted the Annual Spring Luncheon for the Toronto Brigantine Inc.

The Luncheon is a long-standing, annual start-of-the season event and a fundraising vehicle organized in support of the Toronto Brigantine. It incorporates a recognition of achievements by members of the sailing community. The event was organized by Marjorie Patterson and the YSTL Committee. All attendees were long time supporters of the TBI.

All the guests were able to enjoy the presentation of Eugene Tekatch, a well-known boat and catamaran designer. Eugene was talking about various technologies and designs of sailboats and their capacity for speed and endurance.

Here are some photos from the Luncheon:

Left to right: Richard Birchall, Past Captain and Execvutive Director of TBI, Chair of the 50th Anniversary Committee
Marguerite Pyron, past Director, Chief Development Officer
Derek Tidd, President, Tall Ship Youth Trust

Paul Dennis, TBI President
Tasha Hyndman, Officer, STV Pathfinder
Derek Tidd, President, Tall Ship Youth Trust

Riley King, Executive Officer, TS Playfair
Celine Moore, Officer
Paul Dennis, TBI President
Tasha Hyndman, Officer, STV Pathfinder
Liam Fraser, Officer, TS Playfair

Captain Julian Schroer, STV Pathfinder
Captain Rhys Weed, TS Playfair

Angus Armstrong, Harbourmaster, Toronto Port Authority
John Granger, Publisher, GAM magazine
Captain Julian Schroer STV Pathfinder

Over 30 years ago I had the good fortune of sailing on the brigs. I was 16, athletic, ambitious, curious and a bit bored. I ached for independence and adventure – the suburban ravine system and my banana bike no longer held the appeal that it once did. Fortuitously, my mom found out about the boats and scrimped and saved enough to get me enrolled in what would become the beginning of that delicate, but ultimately successful, transition from a somewhat grumpy, dependent teenager to self-assured, confident young adult. I met an extraordinary array of young people on the brigs – aspiring leaders, thinkers, malcontents, over-achievers, athletes, poets and pranksters. I felt instantly at home – what teenager doesn’t feel like a misfit at their core? Nobody knew anyone else, and yet we all instantly seem to fit like family. The hard work of keeping the sails trimmed and everything ship shape welded us together in a joyful state of exhaustion, adventure and constant learning. The boys were no better than the girls, coming from money didn’t get you out of swabbing the deck, and triumphantly pulling together to get to that ice cream cone on the other side of the lake was a conquest worthy of the earliest trans-Atlantic explorers. I found more than my sea-legs on the brigs, I found a belief in myself and others that launched me outwards and upwards.
–
Jane Farrow, Executive Director – Jane’s Walk

Once again the Yachtsmens’ Spring Thaw Luncheon provided an outstanding venue and support for TBI. Great many thanks go to Marjorie Patterson, chief organizer, and the YSTL Committee for their commitment. The funds raised will support our Bursary Fund and broaden access to the Programs for children who otherwise would not have the means to participate.  Thank you very, very much In the photograph Officers: Liam Fraser,  Celine Moore, Riley King and Tasha Hyndman with the Treasurer of Tall Ship Youth Trust, Ms. Beryl Tidd.



This year Canadian Navy is celebrating 100 years of service.

Throughout the year various activities are arranged nationwide, including parades, dinners, exhibitions, a cross-country run along the Canada Trail and other projects in cooperation with local municipalities and local naval service groups.

On May 4, 1910, the Department of Naval Service was authorized under the Minister of Marine and Fisheries. A naval college is founded in Halifax to provide training in naval science for the prospective officers.

Being one of the participating cities, Toronto will host several events for the Centennial. On the occasion of the Canadian Naval Centennial on 4 May 2010, the CN Tower will be illuminated in the Navy colours. In August Naval Warships will also be visiting the Canadian National Exhibition.

National Canadian Naval Centennial Travelling Road Show will stop in St. Catharines, Hamilton, and Barrie on May 12, 16, and 17 correspondingly.

The official website of Canadian Naval Centennial is listing a complete schedule of all events devoted to such significant page of our history.

Did you know that our Programs qualify for the achievement of

the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Awards?

Yes, indeed!

Follow this link: http://www.dukeofed.org/

and get the benefit of both fabulous opportunities.