Puslinch Yesterday: The Puslinch Lake Canoe And Boat Club
A notice appeared in the Hespeler Herald announcing an organizational meeting to be held on
Friday, August 19, 1927 at the Lakeview Inn on Puslinch Lake to discuss the formation of the
Puslinch Lake Boat Club. All parties interested in such a club were invited to attend. Fraser
Klager, who was appointed chairman, explained that the purpose was to bring together those
interested in boating and to take the first steps towards the formation of a club. He suggested
that the club should have as it primary aim, the promotion of canoeing and rowing but that there
would probably be other sports and dances in winter.
It was decided to elect the officers and an advisory committee, which would exercise control of
the activities of the organization. The executive was: Robert Barrie of Galt – Honorary President;
G. Alex Forbes of Hespeler – President; S. M. Goudy of Guelph – Vice-President; A. B. Jardine –
Secretary; S. T. Organ – Treasurer; Fraser Klager – Captain and Coach. Members of the Advisory
Committee were: J. S. Hewitt, R. McArthur, W. Hogarth, B. Flynn, C. Powell, D. W. Panabaker,
Gordon Hortop, Alex Parks, John Jardine, Dr. H. Renwick, Allan Kerr, Dr. H. F. McKendrick, Dr. C.
K. Henderson, A. Aitchison, Mr. Conduit and F. Pattinson. Convenors for three working
committees were also appointed, with the power to pick their assistants. These were: R. M. Elliot,
convenor of the canoeing committee, whose duty was the care of the boats and canoes and
equipment; R. W. Phin, convenor of the sports committee, whose duty was to make arrangements
for events; and H. V. Marshall, convenor of the membership committee. It was agreed to charge a
nominal fee of $2. for the balance of the season. The executive and advisory committee was
representative not only of Puslinch Township but also of the surrounding centres of Guelph,
Hespeler and Galt, evidencing the wide appeal of the Puslinch Lake resort.
At a meeting held on Tuesday evening, Aug. 29th , at the summer cottage of Alex Forbes, the group
decided on a name change from the Puslinch Lake Boat Club to the Puslinch Canoe and Boat
Club. This was primarily to correct a misconception that the club was to be mainly devoted to
rowing, while the aim was to eventually include all forms of water activity, including swimming.
As well, there were rumours that factions in Guelph wanted to change the name of the lake itself.
Naturally, feelings of resentment immediately arose in Puslinch Township but the name was
adjusted to omit the word “lake”, in case of this eventuality.
On Sept. 21 st , the group decided to rent the Barry cottage and the island until December 1928.
Tentative plans were made for a dance to be held shortly, with arrangements left to Gordon
Klager, H. V. Marshall and Robert Elliot. As well, crests were ordered, the membership was
reported as 16 and an issue still being dealt with in 2009, the matter of clearing weeds from the
lake, was discussed.
In June 1928, the club met to plan its first regatta at Swastika Beach on Puslinch Lake on July 2nd.
An ambitious twenty-two events were arranged for, including canoe and boat races, tilting and
relay swimming. Prizes were donated and “ladies events were also included”.
Here is an article from July 5, 1928, entitled “Successful Regatta”:
which was staged at Swastika Beach on Monday.
From the spectators’ point of view, the tilting match was the most interesting event. Seven pairs
were involved in this and it worked down until two pair, M. Wehner and Jim Kerr and Fraser and
Gordon Klager were left. So even were they, that the winner was decided by the toss of a coin and
the first team won.
There were five entries in the four-man canoe race and only one of the 16-foot canoes crossed the
line.
Men’s single canoe race, over 18 years – 1st Ed Smith of Preston won a cigarette case, donated by
M. Prong. 2nd Gordon Klager of Hespeler. 3rd Scott Ramsay of Hespeler.
Men’s double canoe race, under 18 years – K. Ekins and C. Klager of Hespeler won knives,
donated by P. A. Clavert and L. Grill. 2nd E. Mussen and H. Hooper of Toronto. 3rd McBeth and
Griffin of Toronto.
Ladies double canoe race – 1st Miss M. Parr and Miss I. Deacon of Hespeler won chocolates,
donated by J. Kreig and W. Sault. 2nd Miss R. Parks and Miss I. Zeyd of Hespeler.
Men’s double rowboat race – 1st Scott Ramsay and R. Gibson of Hespeler won flashlights, donated
by Gus Huether and George Murray. 2nd J. Kerr and F. Baker of Hespeler.
Men’s double rowboat race, under 18 years – 1st H. Campbell and M. Reid of Hespeler won a shirt,
donated by F. Klager and a set of mixing bowls donated by F. Scott. 2nd C. Klager and K. Ekins of
Hespeler.
Mixed double canoe race – 1st Miss Alma Saunders of Waterloo and Ed. Smith of Preston won a
box of chocolates, donated by G. Harvey and a safety razor, donated b D. S. Jackson. 2nd Miss L.
Ball and G. Klager of Hespeler won hose (stockings), donated by G. Detweiler and a tie, donated
by H. Adler.
Men’s single canoe race, under 18 years – 1st C. Klager of Hespler won a camera, donated by J. R.
Phin. 2nd K. Ekins of Hespeler.
Men’s single rowboat race, under 18 years – 1st J. Baird of Hespeler won a set of ash trays,
donated by W. J. Marriott. 2nd R. Mussen of Toronto. 3 rd H. Hooper of Toronto.
Men’s double canoe race, over 18 years – 1st Ed. Smith of Preston and H. Pfeiffer of Waterloo won
swimming suits, donated by Dominion Worsted and Woollens. 2nd G. Klager and F. Klager of
Hespeler. 3rd G. Anderson and D. Stager of Hespeler.
Men’s single row boat race, over 18 years of age – 1st C. Warder of Preston won $1. bank account,
donated by the Dominion Bank.
Men’s 100 yard swim, under 18 years of age – 1st F. MacDonald of Galt won socks, donated by
Lang and Co. 2nd ? McBeth of Toronto.
Ladies 50 yard swim – 1st Miss Hammond of Guelph won candlesticks, donated by William Woods.
2nd Miss I. Deacon of Hespeler.
War canoe or foursome race in 16-foot canoes – 1st F. Klager, F. Baker, J. Kerr and G. Klager.
Tilting – 1st Wehner and Kerr of Hespeler won two pails of lard, donated by C. W. Barber of Guelph.
2nd Fraser and Gordon Klager won sugar donated, by J. F. Kohli.
Prizes were awarded to the lady and gentleman who had the high aggregate point score during
the day. Miss I. Deacon received an ironing board presented by the W. A Kribs Co. and Ed. Smith
of Preston was given an order of meat, donated by R. W. McCreary.
Those who assisted in the capacity of judges were W. J. Marriott, J. E. Hunter, J. G. Hortop and J.
F. Kohli of Hespeler, S. Goudy of Guelph, vice-president of the club and President G. Alex Forbes
of Hespeler.”
In May 1929, Ross Barber began the building of a boathouse to house the equipment and to
provide a club room for the group. At a meeting held in June, women had succeeded in raising
their profile to such an extent, that a motion was made to form a ladies branch of the club. This,
however, was “left over for further discussion” and the newspaper termed it a “ladies auxiliary”.
The 2nd annual regatta was held on Monday, July 1, 1929. A portage race was included. R.
Ranscombe of Preston was the winner. Starters were V. F. Hunt and Matt Seigle. Judges were R.
M. Phin and W. Conduit. Alex Parkes was announcer. Neil Baird acted as secretary. Jack Baker
and Morris Huether assisted with handling the races and policing the course.
A published report of July 11, 1929 stated:
donated by S. T. Organ, for the club membership with the highest number of points in the day’s
programme was awarded to Gordon Klager. Jack Morris won the pair of canoe paddles donated
by George Murray for the second highest man of the day. Miss Myrtle Parr won the clock donated
by F. W. Gunther, for the highest lady in the day’s sport and Miss Helen Connell was awarded the
20 pounds of sugar, donated by J. F. Kohli, as the second highest lady for the day.”
The July 11th article announced that a swim meet was to be held on the Civic Holiday, to which
several cups, as well as medals, had been donated. The races were open to amateurs from
Wellington and Waterloo Counties.
At the annual meeting in January 1930, it was reported that four regattas for club members had
been held in 1929, as well as several open regattas on holidays. Equipment on hand was valued
at $405. By 1931, the Depression was having an effect and at a meeting on April 1 st , it was decided
that “the membership fee would be reduced, owing to the present economic conditions”.
Probably for this reason, a Globe and Mail article on Sat., May 27, 1933, states that, “after several
seasons of inactivity, the Puslinch Canoe and Boat Club was reorganized here today, about 40
members being present at the meeting, which was of an enthusiastic nature”. Despite the
enthusiasm, intentions to build a clubhouse were planned “ on a small scale at first, with the idea
of enlarging at some future time. The work of building will be done by the members.”
Sadly, this active organization probably was a victim of the long economic hardship known as
“The Depression”, as this is the last report I located on its energetic undertakings.
