Velux 5 Oceans – AND they're off! With the sun shining brightly and a fresh breeze blowing, the five international skippers in the Velux 5 Oceans blasted across the start line beginning a 30,000-mile adventure around the globe.

It was the start of an epic voyage for the ocean racers, during which they will sail their 60ft Eco 60 yachts across five oceans through some of the best – and worst – conditions known to man. Thousands of people flocked to the Velux 5 Oceans race village in La Rochelle, France, to watch the brave men depart on their adventure.

Many of us just dream about sailing the clear, turquoise waters of the Bahamas or Caribbean. Many of this year's speakers have done just that and will share their experiences for seasoned boaters and those who are just starting to dream.

From learning to sail, buying your first boat, taking the cruise, anchoring or heading the boat south for the winter or longer – the Port Credit- In-Water Boat Show 2010 has something for every boater. There are 19 seminars held over the 3 days.

For those of you who are unable to be in Chester for Race Week, be sure to follow the excitement this week, starting tonight at the Rope Loft, in Chester, one of Mike Lovett's favourite bars. It is quiet now,
just a few sailors rehashing last year's judges' decisions. And if you are lucky enough to be in Chester and to be racing here is some advice:

Great wind made for ideal conditions to run a double round robin, comprising 36 races, for the nine skippers competing for the Grade 3 York Cup Match Race at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club on Saturday, August 7th. Hats off to Chris Cook, the PRO, for his expert race management over the weekend with course changes, square lines and perfectly timed races.

This summer the sparkling blue waters of Georgian Bay will come alive with brightly coloured international flags flying from traditional French gigs as Midland welcomes the world to its shores for Atlantic Challenge Canada's (ACC) International Contest of Seamanship July 24-31.

Centred in Southern Georgian Bay since 1992 this unique experiential education program has been teaching kids leadership and teamwork skills using the 38-foot boats.

Perfect conditions greeted the start of World Cruising Club's transatlantic sailing rally ARC Europe yesterday, as the fleet crossed the start line just off Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola, at midday local time.

More than 300 sailors attend US Sailing Safety at Sea seminar in Toronto. A resounding success for the Royal Canadian Yacht Club! The last event of this kind in Toronto was almost 10 years ago; as such, a number of RCYC offshore racing enthusiasts, led by Carson Woods, took it upon themselves to organize what they believed was a much needed seminar for the Toronto, ON sailing and boating community; attendance at yesterday event exceeded their wildest dream yesterday when a large number of sailors simply showed up at the doors of the OISE auditorium, near the RCYC city-side facility to register for the event and boost participation to 300.

Diane Reid's first sail on her new Mini Transat 650 Ocean Racer announced that she is competing in the 2011 Mini Transat 6.50 (also known as the Transat 650). The Transat 650 is one of the largest participated offshore races in the world with upward of 100 boats.

Attendance for this year's Lake Ontario 300 is well on its way to being another record-breaking year in more ways than one. To date there are 110 paid registrants, an increase of 25% from last year at this time. The total number of yachts competing last year was 172, which was a 35% increase from 2008. The LO300 has more than tripled in size over the last 5 years. Part of this increase is due to the addition of an exciting IRC division, a multi-hull division and a Single-handed division.

The coolest race on the Great Lakes is shaping up to be another great challenge in 2010. For some the challenge will be making it to the start line due to the low water levels on Lake Ontario, for others their challenge will be the unpredictable weather we are experiencing this Spring.

What a treat it was to attend the annual Yachtsman's Spring Thaw Luncheon on Friday April 23 at the Boulevard Club. The Port Credit Yacht Club was well represented with Commodore Peter Howells, Vice Commodore Fleet Don French and a dozen other members in attendance. The highlight of the luncheon is always the honouring of three members of the boating fraternity – this year the Environmental Award was presented to Geoff Hadrill of National Yacht Club, the Yachtsman of the Year for Power to Find Christiansen, founder of Bronte Harbour Marina, and most exciting – the Yachtsman of the Year for Sail to PCYC's own Hans Fogh! Hans is the patriarch of one of the three generation families at PCYC, with sons Morton and Thomas also being members and Grandson Marcus making his mark as an up and coming Optimist sailor in the PCYC Learn to Sail program.

Last night, during CYA's Annual General Meeting, Curtis Florence was appointed CYA’s Rolex Sailor of the Year Award during the Awards Dinner hosted by the Royal Canadian Yachting Club. Curtis’ two sons, Trey (16) and Jordan (12), were present to accept the award on behalf of their father. Curtis was able to make his gracious acceptance speech via SKYPE.

On September 15, after an 18-month global search, the Canadian Yachting Association announced the official appointment of Paddy Boyd as Executive Director. Recently, Canadian Yachting sat down with Boyd at the association’s headquarters in Kingston, ON.

The largest online marine news network in the world, Australia’s TetraMedia Marine Group, publishers of Sail-World.com, Powerboat-World.com and MarineBusiness-World.com has announced a strategic alliance with a major North American magazine publisher.

Canada Wins at 2009 Six Metre World Cup Over five days, September 8-12, competitors at the 2009 Six Metre World Cup encountered every condition that Narragansett Bay could serve up, and then some. The sunshine and light air that opened the regatta on day one yielded to heavy winds and leaden skies for the balance…