Sailing away to a remote destination

• Group gathers twice a week to sail model boats
• Easy to learn, difficult to master
• Cheaper alternative to full-sized sailing

It’s easy to learn, but difficult to master.

That’s how Russ Reid describes the art of maneuvering remote-controlled boats.

“There are a couple of regattas during the year, and it gets very competitive,” the Okanagan Model Sailboat Association member told Kelowna10 on a rainy Wednesday afternoon.

Twice a week from mid-April to mid-November, the group gathers to sail remote controlled (RC) boats on the pond at Tugboat Beach in Kelowna’s Waterfront Park.

Reid said there are some formal races each year called regattas, and plenty of unofficial races each week between members.

Though Reid only pilots the smaller, Victorian class RC boats these days, he once owned his own real sailboat, circumventing Vancouver Island in 1995.

Upon retiring in Kelowna in 2005, Reid stumbled upon the club in 2019. Immediately inspired, he ordered his own boat, taking part in something he said is a great alternative to full-sized sailing.

“All the principles of big boat sailing apply to the smaller boats, without anywhere near the investment,” he explained. “You can get into this sport for between $400 and $700, [which] includes all the equipment, the hardware, the electronics … all you need then is batteries, and the wind is free.”

His favourite aspect of sailing is practicing and spending time with others who share his passion.

“The comradery of the group is wonderful. There’s a lot of helpful information you can learn from other people. It’s fun to be able to master the wind and sail the boat and learn. The competition is exciting,” Reid said.

Although he enjoys competing against his fellow sailors, the group is always looking for more people to join the fun.

“We’re looking for new blood, we’re always interested in sharing the experiences we have with others. We invite everybody to come down and watch us on Wednesdays and Sundays between one and four.”

Reid himself was quite welcoming, handing over the RC controller and letting this reporter become a novice sailor momentarily.

Even on a calm day, I was able to cut a lap around the course but won’t be taking part in competition anytime soon.