NOTICE TO SHELLBACK CLUB MEMBERS AND GUESTS The Shellback Club has decided to begin its 88th year as a series of online meetings, in recognition of the COVID-19 pandemic. Details on the meeting schedule and instructions on using the online meeting software Zoom can be found on the Meeting Topics page. We'll see you in the fall.
What is the Shellback Club?
The Shellback Club officially started in February 1934 and met at Eileen Bradley’s Tea House on Adelaide Street but had its roots earlier. Starting in 1924, some of the crews of large racing sailboats from RCYC met weekly in the summer to organize crew duties.
By 1934, these crew meetings had morphed into The Shellback Club as other sailors from clubs in the area liked the idea of sharing lunch and sailing lore . . . and even singing a shanty.
Ordinarily (aside from the current requirement to conduct meetings online because of the COVID-19 pandemic), the Shellbacks meet weekly in the non-sailing season at the RCYC, 141 St. George Street. We start promptly at 1215 hours and finish about 1330 – 1345 hours. The guest speaker starts about 1245 hours. Come early to enjoy the company and a beverage. However, the 2020-2021 Shellback Club meetings will be online only, and instructions will be communicated in email invitations to Zoom meetings.
Traditionally, to be a “Shellback” only requires attending (or virtually attending) a lunch meeting and joining everyone in singing a sea shanty.