History of the Ripple Rock Squadron

In the winter of 1958-59 a very successful Piloting course was run as a night school course. All of the original thirteen in the Campbell River Study Group, plus R. J. Coles (Victoria P. S.), took and passed the exam. At this juncture few of the group members actually owned boats. Their aim at the start was instruction.

In June of 1959 the Ripple Rock Power Squadron, still awaiting their charter, held a meeting. At this meeting Morgan Brethour was elected to fill the position of Commander when a charter had been duly granted. The first Bridge members of the Ripple Rock Power Squadron were:

Commander....................Morgan Brethour
Lt. Commander...............Harry Gagne
Educational Officer.........Capt. F. A. Bradley
Secretary..........................Ronald D. Bartlett
Treasurer..........................L. George Davis

The Squadron warrant was issued on June 17th 1959 and the first official meeting of the new Ripple Rock Power Squadron was on September 17th 1959 at the Baikie float house. The presentation of the charter took place on Sept. 24th 1959. Activities and instruction continued apace for the Squadron. For the winter season 1959-60, Squadron meeting Minutes detail a "Piloting course with a full up membership of thirty and with further plans for a Seamanship Course and a membership of ten".

The early days of the Squadron finances were ‘humble’, as evidenced by archival sources. Commander Brethour opened a bank account at the Campbell River branch of the Royal bank with $20.00 out of pocket. Commander Brethour subsequently financed the Junior Piloting and Seamanship Courses via a loan of $230.00 from the Royal Bank. During October, 1959, Treasurer George Davis reported a bank balance $27.74.

In 1986 Canadian Power Squadron under went a name change. The new name of Canadian Power and Sail Squadron was adopted to cover both power and sailing members. It was at this time that the new name Ripple Rock Squadron was chosen.

From these humble beginnings Ripple Rock Squadron has gone on to flourish. In the almost fifty years since its formation the Squadron has instructed literally hundreds and hundreds of students in basic and advanced courses. From its inception, the squadron has remained steadfast in its dedication to comprehensive quality courses of instruction. The fellowship driven by this dedication remains today the hallmark of the Ripple Rock Squadron and is evidenced by our impressive membership numbers. As of June 2007, forty nine years from the time of the formation of the study group of thirteen, our Squadron has grown to over 200 members.

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