"Esquimalt" is the English version of a Coast Salish First Nations word meaning "Place of Shoaling Waters". The Coast Salish have visited and lived in around its waters for at least 5000 years.

Don Manuel Quimper first visited this area and claimed it for Spain in the summer of 1790. He named what we now call Esquimalt "Puerto de Cordova". The Spanish history of this area is still reflected in some of the place names around the area, "Gonzales Hill", Strait of Juan de Fuca", "Quadra St." just to name a few.

History has it that Quimper stood on Albert Head, a small rocky outcropping of rock about 3 nm south of Esquimalt, to make his claim for Spain. Interesting thing is that Albert Head is one of our favourite places to head for a weekend sail during the summer. It's quiet and sheltered, and because it still belongs to the Canadian Navy-- and its' nice wharf is limited to our club members.

Since the mid-1800's Esquimalt has been a navy base, first for the British Royal Navy and then the Canadian Navy. Today it is the home port for the Canadian Pacific Fleet.

Our sailing club first came into existence as the "Royal Canadian Naval Sailing Association" (RCNSA) in 1948. It became the the Canadian Forces Sailing Association or CFSA after the integration of the army, navy and air force in 1968.

Located on "Maplebank" (formerly where the British Admirals lived) between Ashe and Munro Head, CFSA is a good 350 members strong with moorage for about 100+ boats, CFSA is a wonderfully close knit sailing family. As a "self help" club we pitch in to run the club and keep our costs down. Blessed with wonderful conditions we have over the past couple of years hosted such events as: Mobility Cup; both the Canadian and World Military Sailing Championships; The "Europe Class" Canadian Dinghy Championships; both the regional and Canadian Thunderbird Sailing Championships and many other regattas-- including the CFSA regatta held the second weekend in June of every year. In 2003 we are to host the World Tasr championships.

Esquimalt Harbour is located approximately 2 nm west of Victoria, BC.

Fisgard Light at the entrance to Esquimalt Harbour is the oldest light house on the west coast of Canada. Passing the light is HMCS Oriole, at 78 the oldest ship in the Canadian Navy. Don't let old fool you, this 101 foot long ketch won the 2000 Victoria to Maui race!

Arial view of the eastern half of Esquimalt
with Victoria in the background.

Esquimalt borders on the Strait of Juan de Fuca and boats some of the best sailing in the Pacific Northwest. We race all year round--with the exception of August--which we take off to go cruising. We are only 18nm north of Port Angeles, Washington and only 20 miles from the beautiful Gulf Islands.

Esquimalt Harbour, circa 1918	Esquimalt dry dock 1911	Esquimalt with Fisgard Light, approx 1911
Fisgard Lighthouse 1906	Some of my collection of old Esquimalt post cards all bought on ebay	Graving dock, circa 1931 My house will be in upper right hand corner (in 50 years)

Family History | Newer Photos | Older Photos | Sailing in BC | Sailing Photos | More Sailing Photos |
Even More Sailing Photos | Work Page at UVic | The Animals | Navy Days | Alan's Website |
Sign my guestbook | View my guestbook | Back to the top of this page

This page is © to SeaQuin Enterprises.
Design by SeaQuin Enterprises
Last updated October 13th, 2004

Send comments to my guestbook (sorry, getting too much spam to leave my email address on this site.)