History

About Royal City Squadron

Royal City Squadron is one of 185 Squadrons across Canada which make up Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons(CPS), a nationwide association of boating enthusiasts, dedicated to improving boating safety through training.

Each year, CPS members teach a variety of courses to concerned boaters in the general public across Canada. Royal City Squadron hasa knowledgeable volunteer staff with years of dedication to both the Canadian Power & Sail Squadron (CPS) and the boating community. We offer boating courses and social events for boaters of all ages and skill level.

Do you love boating? Want to meet other boaters? Are you interested in promoting safe boating through education?

Become a member of Royal City Squadron today! We look forward to meeting you!

See what Royal City Squadron has to offer! We have beginner and advanced Boating Courses, a newsletter, The Mainsheet which has the latest Commander's report, an Events Calendar so that you can see our upcoming events that we have planned, and our Ship's Stores so that you can order a sweat shirt or other regalia items if you like. We also have a knowledgeable volunteer staff that have years of dedication to both the Canadian Power & Sail Squadron (CPS) and the boating community.

History of Royal City Squadron

On April 3rd 1957, Canadian Power Squadrons issued a charter to the brand new Royal City Squadron. This squadron thus became the 3rd squadron of Pacific Mainland District. Charter members were Fred Bennett, F.E. Clayton, Bill Copping, Fred Coulthard, Al Earle, John Field, Pete Frattinger, Lewis Herbert, Dave Hewlett, Ed Johnston, Roy Lancaster, Cameron McKenzie, Don Mott, Bill Mott, Hal Ohman and Bob Urquhart. These founding members had just successfully completed the Boating Course in New Westminster under the tutelage of an instructor generously provided by Vancouver Squadron. They became the first bridge under Ed Johnston as the commander and chose the squadron's name.

Thus began a tradition of teaching and boating camaraderie that continues to the present day. The Boating course, Piloting (formerly Seamanship), Advanced Piloting, the VHF Course, Marine Maintenance and Marine Electronics are courses which are offered regularly by our squadron as warranted. Teaching started at the Royal City Yacht Club, at Ohman's Boat Works on the dyke in Queensborough, moved to New Westminster Secondary School, then held at the Justice Institute of B.C and now are now being held at different centers in New Westminster. See our Course Information for locations. Several thousand students have now completed courses with us.