Orillia C4 1906

Orillia War Canoe

Orillia Post Card

Lake Couchiching

Annual Regatta Program

In 1870, the Couchiching Yachting and Rowing Club was organised, according to the Northern Light (April 1870). Their first regatta in 1873 featured canoe races and in 1876, a letter was received by the Peterborough Canoe Club inviting crews to attend the regatta in Orillia. set for August 31 and September 1 (Peterborough Examiner). Due to the ACA summer meet coming to Lake Couchiching in 1888, a meeting was called in 1887 to discuss the formation of a canoe club. The Orillia Couchiching Canoe Club was officially founded October 17, 1887 with the ACA visiting later in the year to get the preparations moving for the 1888 meet. By 1894, the club had morphed into the Orillia Canoe Club as reported in the Weekly Times, but it took until 1909 for Orillia to join the CCA. There was also a club organised in 1896 called the Orillia Yacht and Canoe Club, reported in the Weekly Times. Whether this was the same club continuing to reorganise or a new club altogether is unknown. In 1902, Orillia and Toronto competed in C15 races at the Barrie regatta. The club hosted a Dominion Day regatta in 1903, a local regatta in 1905 (annual) and some members won medals at the 1909 national championships in Toronto. Orillia was also host to the Western Division's qualifying regatta in 1909 but by 1911, the club had officially "resigned" from the Association. An attempted revival occured in the 1930s with correspondence to the CCA and a request to host a Division meet. The request was ultimately turned down. According to David Town's "Two Jacks," Orillia's colours in 1906 were Red and Green.

War Canoe Song:

Orillia War Canoe,
Orillia War Canoe,
The greatest crew,
The country ever knew!
Can beat Toronto,
Whenever they want to!
O-O-Orillia,
War Canoe.

Trophy presented at Lake Couchiching

Lake Couchiching Course 1909

The story of Jack Johnson and Jack Anderson
published 2017