In 1945 when Kelowna was still just a small town, there wasn’t much of a boating community. A surprising fact considering Kelowna is home to the beautiful Okanagan Lake. With nothing in place, a group of boat owners began to develop the Kelowna Yacht Club. It started small, with the founders initially focusing on building launching facilities and a clubhouse. However, this only provided the base for the club, and since then has blossomed into the beautiful community that it is today.
In addition to teaching youth about the world of boating, the Kelowna Yacht Club prides itself on giving opportunities to people who might not get them elsewhere. They host the Blind Fishing Derby which offers 30 people with blindness or sight impairment the opportunity to fish with the assistance of crew members. Additionally, they host the Boat for Hope event which gives kids with physical and developmental challenges a fun day on the water.
It was the emphasis on family and community that originally drew me to the Kelowna Yacht Club. Not just the fast boats – I know hard to believe. The core values that always guide me in what I do both personally and professionally are family and community. It has served me well over the years in building my business and is the foundation upon which I view my relationships and friendships with my clients.