Since 1980, Highland Yacht Club has been connecting Toronto with the waterfront
Get to know us a little bit
Nestled at the base of the majestic Scarborough Bluffs, our boat club shares its fully protected basin with swans and kingfishers, kayakers and paddle boarders, and boats of all stripes. We are steps from one of the longest white sand beaches on the lake, certified by the prestigious international Blue Flag program. Hiking trails, cycling paths, and naturalized wetland features lie just to the west.
Self help
Highland is a true self help club. We are volunteers working together to build and maintain a fantastic boating experience, at a reasonable cost. We have no employees. Every Highland member contributes work hours each year (typically between 20-24) to the physical and social operations of the club. We launch and haul our boats as a community in carefully planned and executed teams. There are many ways for members to contribute and sharing tasks with others is a great way to make new friends.
Protecting the environment
It’s important for sailing clubs and marinas to put protecting the environment as a top priority. Afterall, it’s this beautiful and natural environment that we want to be able to enjoy, so it’s our responsibility to do everything we can to protect it for those that we share it with.
We strive to maintain our grounds not just for our enjoyment but also for the benefit of the marine life, creatures and animals that call this area their home or a stop on their migratory paths. Our gardening committee maitains our plentiful gardens full of plants that are favoured by butterflies and bees. Members can enjoy seeing the resident beavers when they make their daily rounds swimming around the island. Many deer call the Bluffs their home and it is not unusual to see them around the area. Highland is also blessed with a large diversity of birds espescially in the spring during their migration.
Members are to follow best practices for boat work to do their best to ensure contaminants don’t enter our grounds or waters. Our club has practices and procedures set up for handling and disposal of hazourdous waste, such as used oil and anti-freeze. As part of our facilites, the club has special receptacles for members to use for disposal of these wastes. There is also a hazourdous waste spill kit on site to deal with any accidents appropriately.
The club also has a recycling program in place to enable members to sort and redirect waste from our landfills.
Community Involvement
At Highland Yacht Club we strongly believe in the importance of positive contributions to the community. Beyond annual food and toy drives, our members organize and run two meaningful days where we host two special groups for fun and educational days on the water.
Goodwill Day
For every Highland member, one of the most gratifying community events is our annual, Goodwill Day at Highland. On a special day each summer, rain or shine, Highland members open their club and their hearts to the residents of New Leaf. New Leaf is a wonderful organization that provides a home, counseling and life skill training to individuals who have difficulty coping with the pressures of our society.
The issues could be physical, emotional or mental; but New Leaf takes in those who have difficulty finding help through other organizations. Goodwill Day is something that all New Leaf clients look forward to each year. Starting early, we prepare our club and our boats for their visit. Some members dress up like clowns; we hire a band to provide music, we decorate our club and we provide a barbeque lunch. Each year the local fire and police services attend with their equipment and they’re always a favorite of our visitors.
However, the highlight of the day is sailing on members’ boats. Each New Leaf resident is accompanied by an aide and the excitement is obvious from the moment they board. Depending on the circumstances and conditions, the time on the lake can be participatory from tailing a sheet, to taking the helm, or perhaps just a relaxing cruise along the base of the bluffs. Once back onshore, the party begins with the barbeque, the music, the clowns and the members of Highland Yacht Club laughing and joking with our guests and enjoying their company.
Being part of the Highland Yacht Club is being part of the community. And we all feel proud and privileged for the opportunity to help others.
Learn more about New Leaf
Bigs & Littles boating day
There’s nothing better than getting to share our passion for boating with the community and our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto is just another way we get to do this.
On this special day, members volunteer to host Bigs and Littles for a fun day at the club and out on the water. Our guests learn about boat safety, boating skills like knot tying and even take the wheel out on the water. Everything wraps up with a BBQ back at the club.
Another rewarding opportunity for our members.
Learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada