AHMEN History

In the late 70's we at HCYC had an aggressive group of racers. HCYC members not only raced in the HCYC mid-week races they also raced in MYRC (Metro Yacht Racing Council) races, and in inter-club Level races in Toronto, Hamilton, Oakville and even Montreal. This was not enough for HCYC racers, it all seemed to stop in early September. HCYC also had a dedicated race manager, Carole Pearcy. Listening to the members complain about there being lots of sailing remaining before haulout but no racing, Carole suggested a Club Frostbite Series to follow the mid-week racing. Carole also volunteered to be race committee. HCYC began their FROSTBITE SERIES and it took off. It wasn't very long before other clubs expressed an interest in our Frostbite Series. AYC joined us, NYC's race committee in the person of Janet Willings, being a good friend of Carole, suggested NYC would not only be interested but would provide the committee boat and committee. The Frostbite Series grew larger, at times we had level starts for CS 22, Tanzer 22 and E22, among others. Mid-week race marks for NYC, Boulevard Club and TS&CC were pulled soon after their mid-week racing ended in early September. The result was that most of the races were around Government marks or other fixed structures on the Lake such as Texaco's cribs in Port Credit and Toronto Islands. The races lived up to their name Frostbite, as the races continued well into October. Some of the current clubs in AHMEN did not exist at this time. MCC was a group of enthusiasts in the mouth of Etobicoke Creek tied to the Park wall. EYC was still a dream of some boaters from various marinas around Toronto. Over time as interest continued to grow new clubs such as MCC and EYC joined the Frostbites. Carole and Janet developed interests outside of Toronto, the member clubs then renamed the original Frostbite as AHMEN. AHMEN stood for the initials of the member clubs, Alexandra Yacht Club, Harbour City Yacht Club, Mimico Cruising Club, Etobicoke Yacht Club and National Yacht Club. Prepared by Don Sutherland of Alexandra Yacht Club Bill Morris adds: By the way, I did notice that Don's history section is in need of some correcting in terms of EYC and MCC. It was the Etobicoke Power and Sail Club (which changed its name to EYC in the early 1980s) that was located in the mouth of Etobicoke Creek, not MCC as is now stated. And, we (EP&SC members) didn't tie our boats to the wall, we had finger docks along the western shore of the Creek, certainly as far back as the summer of 1965 when my family arrived (our house was only a few hundred metres away). There was even a fuel dock with a gas pump located on the eastern side of the Creek. MCC was formed later after the creation of the current site in the late 1970s. from the webmaster... The website was an idea initially designed to share the race results & show the race course. It was cranked out overnight in late 1999 for the 2000 season and while is wasn't pretty, it was functional. Eleven years later, it has a new look and even some social media connection. We are always looking for submissions (Pictures & stories) for the site. AHMEN was and is a great series of races that brings out 20 - 40 boats to enjoy an afternoon of great friendly fun racing. Long may this continue! (John Waddell)

In the late 70's we at HCYC had an aggressive group of racers. HCYC members not only raced in the HCYC mid-week races they also raced in MYRC (Metro Yacht Racing Council) races, and in inter-club Level races in Toronto, Hamilton, Oakville and even Montreal.

This was not enough for HCYC racers, it all seemed to stop in early September.

HCYC also had a dedicated race manager, Carole Pearcy. Listening to the members complain about there being lots of sailing remaining before haulout but no racing, Carole suggested a Club Frostbite Series to follow the mid-week racing. Carole also volunteered to be race committee. HCYC began their FROSTBITE SERIES and it took off. It wasn't very long before other clubs expressed an interest in our Frostbite Series. AYC joined us, NYC's race committee in the person of Janet Willings, being a good friend of Carole, suggested NYC would not only be interested but would provide the committee boat and committee.

The Frostbite Series grew larger, at times we had level starts for CS 22, Tanzer 22 and E22, among others.

Mid-week race marks for NYC, Boulevard Club and TS&CC were pulled soon after their mid-week racing ended in early September. The result was that most of the races were around Government marks or other fixed structures on the Lake such as Texaco's cribs in Port Credit and Toronto Islands. The races lived up to their name Frostbite, as the races continued well into October.

Some of the current clubs in AHMEN did not exist at this time. MCC was a group of enthusiasts in the mouth of Etobicoke Creek tied to the Park wall. EYC was still a dream of some boaters from various marinas around Toronto.

Over time as interest continued to grow new clubs such as MCC and EYC joined the Frostbites. Carole and Janet developed interests outside of Toronto, the member clubs then renamed the original Frostbite as AHMEN.

AHMEN stood for the initials of the member clubs, Alexandra Yacht Club, Harbour City Yacht Club, Mimico Cruising Club, Etobicoke Yacht Club and National Yacht Club.

Prepared by Don Sutherland of Alexandra Yacht Club

Bill Morris adds:
By the way, I did notice that Don's history section is in need of some correcting in terms of EYC and MCC. It was the Etobicoke Power and Sail Club (which changed its name to EYC in the early 1980s) that was located in the mouth of Etobicoke Creek, not MCC as is now stated. And, we (EP&SC members) didn't tie our boats to the wall, we had finger docks along the western shore of the Creek, certainly as far back as the summer of 1965 when my family arrived (our house was only a few hundred metres away). There was even a fuel dock with a gas pump located on the eastern side of the Creek. MCC was formed later after the creation of the current site in the late 1970s.

from the webmaster...
The website was an idea initially designed to share the race results & show the race course. It was cranked out overnight in late 1999 for the 2000 season and while is wasn't pretty, it was functional. Eleven years later, it has a new look and even some social media connection. We are always looking for submissions (Pictures & stories) for the site. AHMEN was and is a great series of races that brings out 20 - 40 boats to enjoy an afternoon of great friendly fun racing. Long may this continue! (John Waddell)