Rendezvous visits an historic cruising area

(Reprinted with permission from the Manitoulin Expositor newspaper)

PORT OF LITTLE CURRENT—The esteemed Great Lakes Cruising Club is hosting its 60th anniversary Rendezvous in the Port of Little Current (Ont.) from July 13-17, 2025. The prestigious event is being organized by chairs Jib and Debby Turner of Little Current. 

Ms. Turner told The Expositor the GLCC is pleased to have its diamond Rendezvous in Little Current as the port holds a special place in the history of the organization, which is made up of both Canadian and American boaters. Little Current was home to the 1st, 25th and 50th Rendezvous.

“We’re hoping to see around 120 boats and over 200 people,” Ms. Turner told The Expositor. The week will be filled with activities such as a trip to the Sheguiandah archaeological site, a visit with Wikwemikong Tourism, and teachings on the drum and the Great Lakes and an adventure to the famed Narozanski gardens at Pepper Point, near Sheguiandah, just to name a few. 

The Rendezvous will feature a gala dinner at the Northeast Town recreation centre complex, too, as well as the famed bilge auction where GLCC members bring items from their boats to auction for local charity.

Ms. Turner was pleased to announce that Sea Cadet Corps No. 348 Manitoulin will play a part in the 60th anniversary Rendezvous. Cadets will have the honour of escorting the commodore around and will participate in the official fleet inspection, which the commodore does by dinghy. The spectacle is a sight to behold with all the vessels (GLCC members are made up of both power and sailboats) dressed to the nines flying flags and burgees.

The Turners and GLCC want to encompass as much First Nations culture as they can into the event, signifying the precious Anishinaabe territory that the members hold so dear. 

For the first time, an elder will give the official blessing of the fleet to start the week of events. While the Port of Little Current will only have approximately 64 slips available, GLCC

members are not strangers to rafting (tying up parallel to another boat) or anchoring out in nearby waters.

Ms. Turner said the visitors, whose boats can range anywhere from 38 feet to over 100 feet, will be a boon to the local economy and she and her husband are pleased to chair the event. 

“It’s like planning a wedding!” she laughed.

Make your slip reservations now

Little Current is offering GLCC members a special deal: Four nights for the price of three.  A credit card deposit is NOT required.

Email your slip request (along with "true" LOA, beam, draft and boat type) to:

      Reid Taylor, Manager of Community Services at rtaylor@townofnemi.on.ca