Lark Racing

Fleet Races

The Larks race in the one-design racing class,  races are on Sundays during the season weather permitting.

The one-design racing class consists of just one model or design of sailboat. In one-design racing, the first boat to finish wins the race.

Lark racing is open to any EYC members using their own boat or crewing on a member-registered boat.

One-design fleet boats require a one-time $90 registration fee per boat per season and must be registered by the third race of the season.

    Race Schedule

    The Lark fleet races from July thru August on Sundays.

    On race day, we have a 9am Skipper’s Meeting at the Clubhouse to decide the course based on wind and conditions, and if the race is a go or a no go.

    Race start is at 10am.

    Hot dogs, hamburgers and awards are after the race at the clubhouse.

    Race Results

    Lark Fleet Q&A

    Q:  What kind of Fleet is it? What size are the boats and how many are in the EYC Fleet?
    The Erieau Lark is a 16′ flat bottomed wooden scow, and sports a gunter rig as opposed to the gaff rig from the original design. We currently have 14 boats in our fleet, nine of which race on a regular basis. The Lark is one of the three boats in the One Design class, the other two being the C Scow and the Laser.

    Q:  Where do you race and what is the race course like?
    The weekly Lark races are held in the bay for the most part but we do try to have one Lakeside Race, conditions permitting. Our regular course is windward leeward but we have been known to race a ‘modified Olympic’ triangular course. Course details are always gone over pre-race at the skippers’ meeting.

    Q:  When are the races?
    Lark races are held on Sundays from June thru August at 10am, the schedule is available on the EYC website.

    Q:  How is it officiated? How is it scored and are there trophies?
    Our fleet is officiated by the EYC race committee. We follow the race and rules set by the Canadian Sailing Association. We score our races using a lowest point for first system. Meaning, if you place first, you will receive one point, you will receive two points for second, three for third, and so on. The boat with the lowest total points at the end of season will win that year. There is a trophy for the boat that wins the whole season as well as trophies for specific races.

    Q: Who can join as crew and who can join with their own boat? What skills sets are needed to be eligible?
    Anyone with their membership in good standing can race on a registered Lark. Lark sailing experience is a must for skippering but for crewing you can have basic sailing experience and learn as you go, once you find an accommodating skipper.

    Q: What is different about this fleet from the other EYC fleets?
    The Lark Fleet has a rich and varied history here at the EYC. It is our only fleet that uses boats hand built by EYC members past and present! Before Larks, the EYC raced using various dinghies, but as Larks gained favour they eventually took over and replaced the dinghy as the EYC racing boat of choice.

    Originally, these Larks were built by the Weir brothers Pop and Al in Rondeau starting in the 1930s. The first Lark to join the EYC fleet was the Red Bird, which was owned and sailed by Sally Kerr. Her younger brother Bill made his mark in 1963 by redesigning the lark to “increase the belly” between the centerboard pin and the mast, as well as to change the bottom of the boat from being made of cedar planks to sheets of mahogany. Details on this redesign can be found here.

    A popular boat in its heyday (at one point our fleet was 27 strong), the Lark has mostly disappeared from racing; the only known racing fleet remaining from what we can tell is the fleet at the EYC!

    Q: How can I get more information on the Lark Fleet?
    The person to talk to to get more information or to get your name out there as a potential crew is our Lark Fleet Captain Kelly Shillington in person or email racing@erieauyachtclub.com.