Outer Harbour Sailing Federation

A community of affordable water sport clubs on Toronto's Outer Harbour. Join us to sail, row, windsurf or paddle – with or without owning your own boat

OHSF clubs with Toronto skyline at sunset

Outer Harbour Sailing Federation

A community of affordable water sport clubs on Toronto's Outer Harbour. Join us to sail, row, windsurf or paddle – with or without owning your own boat

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Safety

Safety, Toronto

Another “100-year storm” leads to E. coli Warnings

Tuesday's rain storm delivered a month's rain in 3 hours, capping off a wet 7 days. It may have been Toronto's third “100-year storm” since 2013. It caused flooding in the Don Valley, the Portlands, and many areas in Toronto. It's recommended to not swim for two days after a big storm due to E. coli levels. Cherry Beach, usually a Blue Flag beach, was unsafe to swim on Wednesday. Swimming during and after storms, floods, or heavy rainfall is discouraged due to potential bacteria risks indicated by cloudy water. E. coli counts from recent beach water samples determine

by Matthew Burpee
Safety

Our clubs prioritize safety and respect for all

Our clubs are steadfastly committed to fostering a respectful environment for all members, visitors, and volunteers. Join us in promoting empathy, diverse viewpoints, and a welcoming atmosphere. We unequivocally do not tolerate any form of harassment, including sexual harassment. We strongly encourage members to report any incidents to their Club Commodore or any member of their Board, following their policies and procedures. The executive must promptly and fairly address any form of harassment. Let's ensure everyone feels valued and safe. Club policies are link

by Matthew Burpee
Events, Safety

Upcoming Events, Algae, Reporting Community Concerns

Happy Victoria Day Long Weekend! Upcoming Events Saturday, May 18th, 2024 TMMC Boat Launch Saturday, May 18th, 2024 Westwood HarbourMaster Races Sunday, May 19th, 2024 Water Rat Laser Races Monday, May 20th, 2024 J-Town HarbourMaster Races Sunday, May 19th, 2024 Toronto Nature Stewarts Art Show Sunday, May 26th, 2024 J-Town/Westwood Cat Race Session Saturday, June 1st, 2024 TWC BoardFest (buy & sell windsurfing gear) Saturday, June 8th, 2024 Club Crawl Please check club w

by Jennifer Penney
Safety

The Star: Inside the ‘Wild West’ of the Toronto Harbour: Surging boat traffic, unpredictable waters and lax rules

Traffic on Toronto’s shores has soared since COVID, with kayaks, paddleboards, speedboats and jet skis clamouring for space on the waterfront. By Francine Kopun Senior Writer Saturday, August 5, 2023 Ingrid van der Zande has been kayaking in Toronto’s inner harbour for 15 years, but she no longer ventures out on weekends unless she’s prepared to get an early start. She doesn’t want to have to dodge the water taxis, jet skis and speedboats that have multiplied in the harbour since COVID, travelling at high speeds. Read more on thestar.com

by OHSF
Safety

OHSF Commodore interviewed on CBC TV & Radio about proposed water taxis

On April 17th, a brief but noteworthy interview with outgoing Commodore Paul Howard was included in CBC Radio and CBC TV news broadcasts. The interview, recorded at Cherry Beach, was also referenced in an article on the CBC website titled Could Lake Ontario be the answer for commuters heading downtown? Waterfront Toronto wants to know. During the interview, Commodore Howard spoke about the opposition to increasing motorized traffic in Outer Harbour due to safety concerns. He elaborated on the increasing use of the Outer Harbour by non-motorized crafts, such as human-pow

by OHSF
Safety

It’s a busy harbour. Let’s keep each other safe this summer

Download the 2 page PDF about water safety in Toronto by Friends of Cherry Beach. Toronto's Cherry Beach and Outer Harbour are home to 8,000 water users (96% motorless). This is a reminder to be respectful and keep your distance. Make eye contact to let others know you are aware of their presence and take early and substantial action to avoid a collision. Above are essential tips. Bring items such as a personal floatation device, whistle, phone, helmet, and more. From the Friends of Cherry Beach (Instagram: @friendsofcherrybeach). Share on: F

by OHSF