kelowna yacht club flag

Kelowna Yacht Club

By Katherine Stone

Kelowna Yacht Club on Okanagan Lake in British Columbia, Now 1,000 Slips

Who doesn’t love the folklore and myth of sea monsters? Some say it’s the fodder for ancient sailing logs and others fill story books with these mysterious creatures. Ogopogo, also called Naitaka the lake demon, makes its home in Okanagan Lake in British Columbia where legend tells of first sightings by the First Nations peoples. The first white settlers were not fussed by this superstitious lore until the first recorded sighting by Mrs. John Allison in 1872. To this day, the sightings persist with consistent reports of a creature some 20 to 50 feet long, with a horse shaped head and an undulating serpent like body! Okanagan Lake is deep and about 130 km long by 4-5 km wide, but the monster appears to favour an area just south of Kelowna. This, my friends, sets the stage to uncover that gem of a boating destination, Kelowna Yacht Club.

Originally, The First Nations peoples had migrated down from the north to enjoy this valley which provided deer, fish, roots and berries. Later, according to the historical records of 1811, David Stuart, working for the Pacific Fur Company, arrived at this beautiful valley. He then established the Brigade Trail through the valley to Kamloops to allow goods to come in and furs to go out. This paved the way for three hardy Oblate Missionaries to find their way there in October 1859 and establish their mission at a site they referred to as “L’Anse au Sable” (Bay of Sand). Settlers began arriving in 1879 and by 1892 the town site of Kelowna (which is the native word for Grizzly bear) was duly registered and laid out. In 1905 when the town was incorporated the population was recorded as 600. Today, the city has seen continuous growth as the largest city in the BC interior at close to 120,000 people.

Ken Smith, the club’s Director of Communications, is a fabulous ambassador of the Kelowna Yacht Club, extolling the virtues of the Okanagan Lake, “With almost a hundred free mooring buoys located in special bays up and down the lake maintained by the different yacht clubs, combined with the warm climate and long summer, many of our members choose to cruise. While the lake doesn’t compare to the pleasures of the BC coastline, each yacht club and bay offers its own unique scenery and advantages and many members spend their weekends and vacation time cruising from one end to the other, enjoying every community and beach along the way.”

They are so entwined with the community that they actually have a lot of fun at their own events. Every year, the club members volunteer their boats for the Blind Fishing Derby, which allows people who are sight-impaired to fish and have fun on the water. The Boat for Hope event for the Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs treats more than 100 children with disabilities, along with 260 siblings and parents, to a day of fun on Okanagan Lake. The members again provide their own boats so that the sailors finish off the day with an epic water battle between pirate ships off the downtown park and beach using water guns and hoses. Seriously????? …….who really has more fun here?

Kelowna Yacht Club; 1414 Water Street: Kelowna, BC   250-762-3310  www.kelownayachtclub.com

Photo Captions: Photo 1 – A wonderful little bay and beach in a regional park across the lake from the city. This is a member’s wedding reception at Raymer Bay, and all of these boats are filled with wedding guests. – not your normal wedding party Photo 2 – An historic shot from the early 1950s. Photo 3 – Who would have known that in 2013, theKelowna Yacht Club would reach over 1000 slips! Photo 4 – Pirate raids on sailboats are followed by the biggest pirate ship water-fight in BC, an epic battle off of City Park so that shore-based observers can enjoy the tactics. Eventually, the pirates retreat to the safety of our basin and a feast on our patio. This is a shot of three pirate vessels in last year’s battle. Photo 5 – This pirate is Al Cotton, a Life Member and unofficial club photographer. If you’re wondering, the beard is real, those are gummy worms, and he often steps in for Santa during our annual Kid’s Christmas party. Photo 6 – These are definitely members on the buoys at Traders Cove, a protected bay north of the city, giving the feel of a desert climate providing our valley its unique warmth and provides pest-free relaxation. Photo 7 – Blind Fishing Derby. We work with the Canadian Institute for the Blind and our members volunteer to take people with visual impairments out for a morning of fishing, and then everyone heads back to the club where we provide an excellent lunch and awards for the best efforts.

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Kelowna Yacht Club

1370 Water Street

Kelowna, BC V1Y 1J1

• (250) 762-3310

Located in the heart of downtown Kelowna, the Kelowna Yacht Club has private meeting spaces that feature full glass walls that open completely to the stunning waterfront views of Okanagan Lake. Crating an unparalleled setting for your entertaining needs! Our amazing waterfront venue, renowned service and exceptional cuisine will create a memorable experience for you and your guests. Book an impressive corporate meeting retreat or host a custom special event. Our versatile banquet rooms and flexible menus will be perfect for your next event! We have the capacity to host events from just a few to as many as 182 depending on the style of event and time of year.

• Wheelchair Accessible

Meeting Facilities

• Largest Room 1848
• Total Sq. Ft. 1848
• Reception Capacity 150
• Theatre Capacity 120
• Banquet Capacity 100
• Number of Rooms 3

Grand Banquet Room

• Total Sq. Ft.: 1848
• Theater Capacity: 120
• Banquet Capacity: 100
• Reception Capacity: 150

Spinnaker Room

• Total Sq. Ft.: 1204
• Theater Capacity: 45
• Banquet Capacity: 64
• Reception Capacity: 80
• Total Sq. Ft.: 644
• Banquet Capacity: 32
• Reception Capacity: 40

Member Lounge

• Banquet Capacity: 180
• Reception Capacity: 350
• Privacy Policy

English | Français

Tourism Kelowna would like to thank Westbank First Nation and Okanagan Indian Band for the privilege to live, work, and play on the tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land), that is the unceded and traditional territory of syilx Okanagan peoples, the original stewards of these lands and to whom we give thanks to as our hosts

Kelowna Visitor Centre: 

238 Queensway

Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 6S4 Canada

1-800-663-4345

© 2024 Tourism Kelowna

Kelowna Yacht Club

Founded in 1945, the Kelowna Yacht Club is located in the heart of Downtown Kelowna. With a new clubhouse built in 2014, the club is situated alongside Okanagan Lake. It is within walking distance from all major tourist attractions including the Delta Grand Hotel and Casino, Prospera Place Arena, the Downtown Boardwalk and many parks and beaches.

• Conference & Meetings

The newly built clubhouse boasts the largest patio in the Okanagan, with stunning lake and mountain views. The Restaurant and Lounge offer an upscale-casual dining experience perfect for celebrating an occasion or enjoying a fireside drink with friends. Five private meeting rooms are available for rent, including a Boardroom and two event spaces with patios overlooking the lake. Guest moorage is available in the Club basin, as well as sailboat, kayak and paddleboard rentals.

• Dress Code No formal dress code applies. Gentlemen patrons of the Members Lounge are not permitted to wear hats while in the Members Lounge.
• Age Restriction Guests under the age of nineteen are welcome to the club, however are not permitted to be in the Members Lounge after 10:00p.m. even when accompanied by an adult.
• Dogs Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in the Club.
• Smoking The club is non-smoking.

Opening Hours

More Information

Additional Charges No additional charges apply for visiting guests.

Parking On-street parking; the Kelowna Library Parkade and Memorial Parkade with access from Ellis Street.

• Tel +1 250 762 3310
• Fax +1 250 763 9960
• Web http://www.kelownayachtclub.com
• Mail [email protected]

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