The is a sports club on Lake Saint-Louis in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada. On February 15, 1989, the Pointe-Claire Canoe Kayak Club was established thanks to the vision, initiative and determination of its founding members, Bill Cordner, Gaétan Desmarais, Tom Dienstmann, Jean Fournel, Maurice Lamoureux and to the . The City provided the necessary financial support and offered the old pumping station in Valois Bay as a place to establish the first clubhouse. The Club’s initial mandate was to develop sprint canoe and kayak racing programs. Later, the facility began providing services and opportunities for the citizens of Pointe-Claire to enjoy all aspects of recreational paddling. On June 3, 1989, Mr. Malcolm Knox, Mayor of Pointe-Claire, officially inaugurated the Club and was joined by hundreds of West Island residents anxious to see the facilities and learn about the sport. Thanks to the continued support of the City, a new clubhouse was built in 2002. Over the years, the Club has developed many sprint canoe and kayak athletes from novice to provincial, national, international and Olympic levels and is recognized in Quebec and Canada for its innovation, leadership and performance. The Club has also become a center for the citizens of Pointe-Claire and surrounding cities to enjoy the park, the waterfront and nautical activities.
History of the Pointe-Claire Canoe Kayak Club
Fall 1988 For years, Jean Fournel, former national champion and Olympic paddler from Lachine, dreams of replacing the old Grand Trunk Canoe Club of Point St. Charles-Verdun. Jean Fournel gets together with Bill Cordner, Gaétan Desmarais, Maurice Lamoureux, and Tom Dienstmann. The challenge is the prohibitive cost of a waterfront property, not to mention the cost of a clubhouse and equipment. They present a plan to the City of Pointe- Claire which accepts not only to loan them the old pumping station land and building but to finance the project as well. And that is the beginning of the Pointe-Claire Canoe Club... February 15, 1989 The Pointe-Claire Canoe Club is established as a non-profit organization in accordance with Part III of the Quebec Companies Act. The Club owes its existence to the vision and initiative of Jean Fournel, Bill Cordner, Gaétan Desmarais, who are, with Maurice Lamoureux and Tom Dienstmann, our official founding members and our very first executive committee. April 1989 Maurice Lamoureux : “Although the major purpose of the club is becoming an active member of canoe racing, we also have pleasure canoes for those members who just want to spend some leisure time out on the lake. Our club wants to letthe West Island community know that there is room for everyone to come out and participate. Having fun on the lake is the bottom line.” Source: The Chronicle, April 12, 1989. Jean Fournel : “The city council is first class. We can’t begin to express how pleased we are with their support.” Source: The Chronicle, April 12, 1989. June 3, 1989 The Canoe Club officially opens its doors with the support of the City of Pointe-Claire on the site of the old pumping station. The Canoe Club already has 200 members. Mayor Malcolm Knox is present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Hundreds of West-Island residents make their way down to check out the equipment and facilities. The war canoe certainly draws a lot of attention. Mayor Malcolm Knox receives an honorary lifetime membership along with four paddlers: Charles Rudge, Lorne Marshall, Sandy Lindsay and Walter Radford. Bill Kenton, member of the old Valois Boating Club, donates an old Valois Boating Club “most valuable paddler” trophy. Mayor Malcolm Knox: “It seems to be shaping into a fine Club. We’ll do everything possible to ensure its success.” Source: The Chronicle, June 7, 1989. Jean Fournel : “The sport did a lot for me and starting a new canoe club was one way of giving some of it back”. Source: The Gazette, June 22, 1989. Bill Cordner: “Our ultimate goal is to produce elite paddlers”, but all agreed that attracting families and recreational paddlers is just as important. Source: The Gazette, June 22, 1989. At the time the Membership was: Family: $70 for residents Youth: $30 for residents Senior: $50 for residents June 27, 1989 The Pointe-Claire Canoe Club competes at its first official regatta in Cartierville and finished 4th out of seven participating clubs. Bill Cordner : “It was our very first regatta. And with just a handful of paddlers we did very well. It’s a promising start.” Source: The Chronicle, 1989. 1989 Thomas Hall joins the Pointe-Claire Canoe Club at age 7. ... Sports include sprint canoe, sprint kayak, war canoe, standup paddleboarding, canoe polo and dragon boat. Programs offered include summer camps for children, elite training for athletes, and masters paddling. The club was Quebec Provincial Champion in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2015. Athletes associated with the club include Tom Hall, Christine Gauthier, and Tamas Buday.
