Chair of the Meeting: President Danny Cassidy
Anthem: Tom Boyko
Land Acknowledgement: Danny Cassidy
Toast to The King, Canada and Rotary: Danny Cassidy
Attendance: 11, no guests.
Speaker: Dave Hardy - Dave’s Northwest Passage Expedition (August - September, 2025)
Arthur introduced our very own Dave Hardy, who shared with the club his awesome voyage through the Northwest Passage, which was a month long adventure.
Dave had a lot to cover in just 20 minutes, but did an admirable job as he traced his journey step-by-step from Reykjavik, Iceland to Greenland and then north on a path that took him north of Baffin Island, then south of Victoria Island and through a narrow strait, Bellot Strait, in Nunavut into the Beaufort Sea and through the dangerous ice pack that was the death of many early explorers. Dave was 3 and a half days at sea in the Beaufort.
Dave explained that the exploration of the Northwest Passage was first attempted from 1750 and into the 1900's by Europeans in order to find a second trade route to China. Hundreds of adventurers died in these explorations.
Quick Facts about the voyage:
- 4,000 nautical miles by ship
- Almost half way round the world at northern latitudes, through 9 time zones
- Furthest north, about 750 north latitude, 1000 miles south of the geographic North Pole
- More people have climbed Mt. Everest than have traversed the Northwest Passage
Dave interacted with Inuit people in Greenland as well as Canada and was entertained by Inuit performers who demonstrated dances plus activities such as a lip pulling contest.
In Ulukhaktok, on Victoria Island, Dave played the most northerly 9 hole golf course.
Dave’s adventure ended after he passed through the Bering Strait with the Russian coastline in view, and had a magnificent view of the Northern Lights before his arrival at Nome, Alaska, where he boarded a flight to Seattle.
All of Dave’s adventures are now chronicled in his new book that has just been released
Courtney thanked Dave for a wonderful presentation.
Announcements:- Barry reminded everyone of the Christmas Party next Wednesday night at Smash Restaurant.
- Courtney announced that he needed help after the meeting to sort and deliver gloves and toques for our Warm Hands Project to 21 schools.
- President Danny announced that the club’s new Business Plan would be circulated to the membership.
- President Danny also announced that he would check on Gerd following his operation
Sergeant at Arms – Alan Meredith- S.A.A. Alan Meredith first fined Barry for appointing him to the role and for wearing a poppy after Remembrance Day.
- Happy Bucks were then collected from Tom Boyko, Arthur and Frank for just being happy
- Saira was happy that the snow is melting
- Basil was looking forward to attending the Foundation Seminar this Saturday
- Courtney was happy because his football club, Brentford, is doing well
President Danny then closed the meeting.
