Since 1956, the Toronto Humber Yacht Club (THYC) has been a proud part of Etobicoke’s waterfront community. Nestled along the Humber River—just one mile upstream from Lake Ontario—our club is steeped in tradition, shaped by resilience, and united by a shared passion for life on the water.
Boating has long been one of Ontario’s fastest-growing recreational pursuits, and THYC has provided a welcoming home for enthusiasts of all kinds. From seasoned sailors to casual paddlers, our members share in the joy, challenge, and camaraderie that come from navigating the waters together.
The roots of THYC stretch back to the 1920s, when William John Hicks and his wife Annie converted the Wanita Tea Room into Hicks’ Boat House, offering canoe and rowboat rentals, excursions, and small powerboat space. By the mid-1950s, a group of boaters—led by founding Commodore Don Brodey—set out to formalize a yacht club. In 1956, the Toronto Humber Holding Company was granted a provincial charter, and shortly after, the Toronto Humber Yacht Club was born.
In our early years, members transformed the original Hicks building into a cozy clubhouse, complete with nautical décor. We weathered floods, ice, and seasonal river challenges, constantly improving our docks and facilities. In 1967, disaster struck when fire destroyed the clubhouse and much of our historical record—but the club persevered, building the current clubhouse in 1968 through the dedication of members and community.
Over time, THYC has seen everything from Hurricane Hazel’s floodwaters to expansions, renovations, and countless celebrations. Today, the Humber River remains our home, and our commitment to safe boating, community spirit, and environmental stewardship continues to guide us forward.
📜 Read more about our history on the Etobicoke Historical Society’s THYC article
Since 1956 our annual Toronto Humber Yacht Club Sail Past embodies the nautical spirit of tradition, readiness, and respect, while also marking the beginning of a new sailing season.
The ceremony dates back to the earliest beginnings of naval tradition. In fact, one of the earliest references to Sail Past is in the famous Greek poem, The Iliad.
“After two years of preparation, the Greek fleet, of more than 1,000 ships and 100,000 men, assembled at the port of Aulis, in north eastern Greece, for a Sail Past of Troy.”
It is believed that from this ceremony came the famous saying, “Helen of Troy had the face that launched 1,000 ships”.
Sail Past is a ceremony of inspecting a fleet of ships, determining the readiness, capability to put to sea and showing respect to the Commander-in-Charge. Throughout history this ceremony has included royalty, heads of state and admirals, all inspecting fleets or entire navies. Every year, the practice and history of Sail Past is performed by thousands of yacht clubs around the world. This is the opportunity to prove the seaworthiness of your vessel.
Our small club encourages our paddler members to participate in the parade.
THYC awards a “Best Paddler” trophy along our “Best Boat” competition.
Sculler, Kayak, Canoe & Paddle Boards all welcome!
Our small club encourages our Paddler Members to participate in the Parade.
THYC awards a “Best Paddler” trophy along our “Best Boat” competition.
Sculler, Kayak, Canoe & Paddle Boards all welcome.
Don’t forget to wear your “Whites”
Whether you’re here to sail, paddle, row, or simply enjoy the river, THYC has a membership for you
Full boating privileges and voting rights.
Canoe Storage – Secure storage for your canoe.
Kayak Storage – Safe and accessible storage for kayaks.
Scullers – For rowing enthusiasts who want to make the most of the Humber.
Paddle Boards – Membership for stand-up paddle boarders.
Secure off-season storage for boats during the colder months, keeping them safe from ice, snow, and harsh weather
On-land storage for boats when not in use, allowing for easy launch and retrieval while protecting the hull from extended water exposure.
Richard Attenborough and his wife Sheila Sim, Baroness Attenborough - Oscar winning director of Gandhi, the charming Kris Kringle in Miracle on 34th Street, and beloved actor in Jurassic Park - a man who’s walked Hollywood’s brightest red carpets… yet found a home right here at THYC. They were long time friends and supporters of our club. Lord Attenborough’s distinguished career included acclaimed roles on stage and screen, as well as directing award winning films. Their generosity and enthusiasm left a lasting mark on our community!
