Gull Lake

The Gravenhurst Canoe Club  was founded in 1912 through the efforts of Hugh A. Ryan and joined the Western Division the same year. They immediately hosted the Western Division's annual regatta, signalling the club's intentions for future competition. Gravenhurst athletes made an immediate impression, achieving 4th place overall at the Dominion Championship meet, finishing second in both war canoe races. Canoeing on Lake Muskoka dates back even earlier to Part Carling on the north end of the Lake. This club hosted a regatta in 1900 and gave out shields for competitions in 1914. It is unknown if the Gravenhurst and Port Carling clubs competed against one another. The great Alister McKenzie of Toronto Canoe Club brought a crew of Gravenhurst residents to a TCC regatta prior to the war. They raced the senior half-mile in the green and red jerseys of the local volunteer firemen. It is not clear if this occurred prior to 1912 and if these colours were the same colours worn by the Gravenhurst members.