Port Captain Introductions: Eric & Cynthia Sunstrum

Congratulations to newly appointed Port Captains Eric and Cynthia Sunstrum. The couple have co-chaired the Lake Ontario Rally for the last two years and worked behind-the-scenes on other GLCC events. We appreciate their efforts and welcome their support as Port Captains for Ivy Lea, Ont. (SLR-33). They discovered the joys of cruising in the 1000 Islands and Lake Ontario when they bought their Tanzer 22 (Moon Dance) in 1981. A new house and the birth of their daughter later interrupted their Great Lakes cruising until they purchased a Tanzer 7.5 (Whisper 2) in Brighton in 1999. Ivy Lea has been homeport for the Sunstrums since then. They spend most summer weekends moored, docked or anchored at one of the 1000 Islands! Eric and Cynthia have explored the Bay of Quinte and Lake Ontario as far west as Cobourg several times. In 2007 they sailed to Pickering to trade Whisper 2 in for a brand new Catalina 28 MkII, Northern Whisper. The extra room on board allowed them to enjoy a 65-day cruise through the Trent-Severn Waterway to the North Channel and back in the summer of 2012. It was that trip that led to their joining the GLCC; they found the available resources invaluable. Longer cruising expeditions are easier in retirement life! Last summer they crossed from Cobourg to Rochester to explore the south shore of Lake Ontario back to the 1000 Islands. Canada Day is generally spent in Confederation Basin at Kingston and Sacketts Harbour and Waupoos remain favourite destinations. To help cope with the long Canadian winters, Eric and Cynthia bareboat chartered in the BVI’s three times over the last seven years. Sailing is a passion for them and they enjoy meeting other boaters and sharing experiences. To facilitate this, they have become more actively involved in the GLCC in recent years, hosting the Lake Ontario Rallies in 2016 and 2017 as well as volunteering at the GLCC Booth at the Toronto International Boat Show. Be sure to look them up if you are headed for the 1000 Islands.