The biggest problem the 2026 Rendezvous at Newport may face is the reluctance of Canadians to travel to the United States because of a fierce reaction to the imposition of trade tariffs in disregard of negotiated agreements, President Trump’s threat to annex ithe country and the insults he levied at the country and its prime minister. The level of anger is very high. Many Canadians have vowed to spend as little as possible on American goods, have cancelled their trips to the United States and some are selling their properties there. A regional rendezvous for the Lake Ontario Association planned at Olcott and Youngstown in New York to balance the international rendezvous held in Toronto last year has been revamped so that it will be free to all attendees and American spend can be minimal. Still, there are very few registrations despite the best efforts and great attempts by its organizers to continue a spirit of companionship, cooperation and sharing.
The American government’s foreign policy actions are unfortunately an existential threat to our international organization which is in the crosshairs of actions in which it has no part. It is rare that any type of politics should interfere with sailing and international friendships but the trade war and annexation threats by President Trump have brought international affairs into the INA and many other international and cross-border organizations through no fault of its own.
Canadians’ concern of entering the United States is more than a reaction to tariffs and threats. They are worried too about how they may be received. Tourists have been held in custody, the US is deporting students, Green Card holders and children who are American citizens. Universities and others are advising travellers to take burner phones and leave their computers at home.
The United States for the first time anyone can remember is enforcing a rule that requires visitors from Canada staying for more than 30 days to register with Homeland Security. I have travelled with a group of Canadians to Utah every year to ski. This year, members of the group are dropping out.
As a Canadian with an American sister, nieces, nephews, in-laws and a granddaughter, who worked in the US as a foreign correspondent and who owns property there, I find this very sad. Teh Nonsuch is a Caadian designed and built boat enjoyed in American and throughout the world. It is a symbol of the best in international trade and relations and rendezvous across borders celebrate that. But the opposition in Canada to what has happened is visceral and real and it provides a unique challenge to the Newport rendezvous. The first international rendezvous took place on Martha’s Vineyard, an international start to a great tradition which we should all do our very best to continue and better.
At this point, I would suggest that the rendezvous organizers recognize the hurt and do everything they can to welcome Canadian Nonsuch owners and assist the INA in doing it everything it can to support Canadian regional associations and to find Canadian suppliers of gear for Canadians that will not carry American tariffs.
One of the successful aspects of the rendezvous in Toronto was the number of sailors who flew in without boats and were hosted on local Nonsuches and others who made the trip from the south shore of Lake Ontario. A key to the spirit of the event was its international, cross-border character. I only hope that Newport may be the same and look forward to ideas of all who take paert in these conversations on how it may happen.
Nicholas Hirst
Mirthin M30U
RCYC
Toronto
Director of the Lake Ontario Nonsuch Association and co-chair of the 2024 international rendezvous.
Hi Nicholas,
We are hoping others will provide feedback via the survey, posts in this thread, or direct email to me. I will collate the feedback and share it with the rendezvous committee.
It is reasonable to request a more neutral location for the rendezvous, I think such requests should be directed to the Nonsuch board.
I am respectful of everyone’s feelings and would gladly bend to accommodate whatever is best for the INA.
Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT
You make some good points, Nick. Let’s see what the membership thinks.
IMHO, we should put politics aside for a few days and enjoy our rendezvous in Newport, RI. Many, perhaps a majority, of Americans are as upset by the political climate as our Canadian friends.
Is it better to extend this anger to our group, or continue our healthy relationships?
Jim, I think you miss the point here. It is not to put politics aside for a few days, it is much more that the relationship between Canada and the US has been fundamentally damaged. I attended the 1983 Rendezvous in Martha’s Vineyard from Lake Ontario (with a stop in Newport on the way back to see Canada compete in the America’s Cup). It is a pretty major trip from Lake Ontario to Newport with mast down in Oswego, the Erie Canal, mast up on the upper Hudson and then the Hudson, NYC, and Long Island Sound. In total, about a month or so. You also need to deal with government officials of various types with no idea what response you might get, for example on the north shore of Long Island Sound you are required to phone in to a Customs phone number (Canadian cell phone doesn’t work of course unless you have roaming) every day when you move your location.
It just isn’t worth it.
Bruce Clark
‘Nonsuch’, Nonsuch 30
Whitby YC, Lake Ontario
I don’t think Jim missed the point. But, neither did Bruce. As a US Nonsuch owner it would be hard/ impractical for me to make a trip to Lake Ontario for a Rendezvous that’s why the international meetup should move around yearly. there are local meets that maybe more appealing on years that the international meet is a long distance that are a better options.
I don’t think it needs to be political, I’m as unhappy as anyone else about the current affairs and definitely am not shrugging them off, We likely have a lot to agree on. But I’m much more likely to attend given the chosen location simply out of convenience.
Colle
S/v Hippō Nonsuch 30C #173
Port Washington, NY
A note of appreciation:
Hi Rob,
I appreciate the effort taken to create a gathering that fosters stronger relationships between Nonsuch owners.
In short, I believe the planning for the Newport event should proceed, notwithstanding the political upheaval.
The north east would be well served with a convenient venue for those who could not make Toronto.
If Canadians decide to forego the event for political reasons, don’t take it personally.
Full disclosure: I’m both an American and Canadian who lives 60/40 in both places. I see and live both sides.
To my fellow Americans: With Canadians normally being quiet and polite, it’s hard to imagine that anything could really be so bad that you couldn’t “just put aside” for a while for the sake of benign group gathering. Let me assure you Canadians have never seen this amount of consensus around the fear of their economic and sovereign existence. Consequently, you will see some pretty stalwart positions being taken with regard to US travel. Please don’t take this as a personal snub. It is a position in response to the current administrations policies. Time will heal all wounds, just don’t underestimate how profoundly this has hit Canada, and how deeply this is felt.
To my fellow Canadians: America is more consumed with how recent policy changes will affect their own state of affairs to really consider the secondary ramifications of how this will affect Canada and the consequential blow-back. So, you’ll see a bit of ambivalence from Americans, “What’s the big deal?”, “Can’t we just get past this?”. This is not likely to change, Canadians remain “The mouse sleeping with the elephant”.
I appreciate the recent initiatives of finding ways for INA members to avoid tariffs whichever side of the border you are.
I appreciate I’ve never been anything else but warmly received by other INA members wherever they live, sharing inside knowledge and sailing stories.
I am thankful there continue to be volunteers that enable this group to benefit all, no matter what national affiliation they have.
Thank you,
Cheers,
Mike Read
Nauti-Girl N26C (Loyalist Cove)
Ventura California + Bath Ontario
Please continue to share ideas. Especially regarding potential sponsors/partners willing to support sailing events in these difficult times.
Thanks for appreciating the work of the 2026 Rendezvous Committee and helping us by providing honest and constructive feedback.
I hope all our INA friends appreciate the complexity of our task. Constructive input is key to helping us find the best way forward. In some ways our current geopolitical and cultural challenges are similar to the health crisis we faced back in 2020 with COVID.
From the feedback I’ve received so far, options being suggested are :
Proceed as planned. Mange the risks of planing a large event that is poorly attended.
Postpone till more favorable conditions exist. This risks missing opportunities for camaraderie and INA organizational momentum.
Pivot to a regional approach for our events. This risks missing out on the opportunity to host big events.
The 2026 Rendezvous Committee was originally asked by the INA Board to pursue option #1. Our plan is to keep planing for option #1 and try to build in the flexibility to keep the event financially viable with a smaller guest list. Any change in the plan needs to come from the INA Board.
Lets focus this thread on discussing actions we can take now to maximize success of option #1, which in the worst case scenario may morph into option #3.
Thanks for the input shared already and for continued support.
Rob
s/v SOAVE
NS33 #009
Cedar Point YC
Westport, CT
.