Norddeutscher Regatta Verein (NRV) members Karsten C. Witt and Jakob-Hinrich Leverkus are currently on tour with their yachts Gunvør XL and Mamelie and crews. They weathered last year’s COVID-19 pandemic mainly in the Caribbean.

Recently, Karsten Witt and Gunvør XL made it to Vancouver, while Mamelie is still awaiting shipment to Vancouver. Since its arrival, Gunvør XL has been stored ashore at the Canoe Cove Marina & Boatyard on Vancouver Island.

Gunvor at dock

About Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is situated between southwestern British Columbia—Canada’s western-most province—and the Pacific Ocean, and acts as a kind of “breakwater”, protecting the city of Vancouver in the Fraser River estuary from the open seas of the Pacific.

The surrounding waters of the Strait of Georgia, the Salish Sea and Puget Sound with their picturesque archipelagos, provide a wonderful yachting area. The boating here is spectacular, though not totally hazard-free due to the treacherous currents.

The Royal Van’s impressive Clubhouse is located on the shores of English Bay and offers a fabulous view of the Coast Mountains on the opposite side and the large marina at its doorsteps.

Royal Van

Connecting Two Member Clubs

Introduced by Wolfgang Weber, the NRV’s delegate for international affairs, Karsten Witt and crew received a very warm welcome at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. As a matter of fact, they were the first guests at the Royal Van after a more-or-less complete shutdown of club operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Consequently, the Executive Committee of the Royal Van delegated the Club’s top brass to welcome the yacht and her crew in Vancouver. The welcome party consisted of the following gentlemen, pictured from left to right: Cedric Burgers (Fleet Captain), Brian W. Angus (Vice Commodore), Karsten Witt (without long pants stored well below deck), Peter Wealick (Commodore) and Russel Moldowan (Rear Commodore).

Royal Van Welcome Party

This was followed by a cocktail reception aboard Gunvør XL which Karsten Witt organized somewhat spontaneously.

Cocktail Party bis in die Nacht

It is not unusual amongst boaters that such events carry on for quite some time after the official part is over. The lively conversation accompanied by refreshing drinks continued well into the evening. As usual, the Royal Van’s hospitality was legendary.

By the way, the NRV will have an opportunity to reciprocate by early October 2021 at the ladies-only Helga Cup Regatta event. The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club has registered two women teams for participation.