by The Water Rat Sailing Club is a non-profit, volunteer-driven organization providing accessible and inclusive on-water sports and recreation opportunities to Torontonians since its founding in 1969.
Nestled in the Outer Harbour by Cherry Beach, the club offers dinghy sailing and paddling to over 200 members and their families. These members participate in various watercraft, including dinghies, catamarans, and kayaks. As one of the largest Laser fleets in Canada, Water Rats fosters both competitive and recreational sailing while maintaining a strong sense of community through regattas, socials, and sharing races with other clubs.
At its core, Water Rats thrives on social and community engagement, with members embodying a shared spirit of volunteerism. The club operates as a co-op, where everyone contributes to its upkeep and success. Our role titles, such as the Commodore being the “Chief Rat,” the head of the race committee being the “Race Rat,” and the person responsible for social activities being the “Party Rat,” Are not just playful but also emphasize the club’s friendly, down-to-earth nature and commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all.
The club’s rich history, which began when Paul Henderson, known as the ‘Pope of Sailing,’ and other sailors secured a piece of land in the harbour with the help of the Toronto Harbour Commission, is a testament to the enduring spirit of the Water Rat Sailing Club. This resourceful, DIY spirit still defines the club today, as members work together to maintain and enhance the space.
Water Rats’ commitment to affordability is a hallmark of its mission, ensuring that on-water sports remain accessible to a broad audience. The club’s annual membership fees are intentionally kept low, and the club hosts weekly races, events, and social gatherings that further strengthen the bonds between members, offering opportunities to connect both on and off the water. The club hosts up to 25 Lasers on the start line for evening summer races, with intense competition fueling a love for the sport. The club supports a diverse fleet of 100 Lasers, 25 catamarans, and 50 kayaks and canoes.
Today, Water Rats is a testament to the grassroots, community-based sailing programs it helped spawn, encouraging Torontonians of all ages and backgrounds to discover the joys of water sports. Though its facilities have evolved, the spirit of the Water Rats remains unchanged—members still embrace the quirky, casual nature of the club, enjoying the simple pleasure of “messing about in boats,” as inspired by “The Wind in the Willows.”