In 1975, a small group of sailing enthusiasts whose boats were moored at Schooner Cove formed a loose association to race informally and to cruise together. They called themselves the Schooner Cove United Mariners, which easily contracted to SCUM, an acronym in which its members took a sort of perverse satisfaction.

The founding members of SCUM were a mixed lot, some living locally or in Port Alberni. Many of the initial members are still in the Club today.

Inevitably the membership grew, and in time it became necessary to get more organized, admit “stinkpotters” or powerboats, to arrange reciprocal moorages, hold formal meetings, and set up committees. This could hardly be done with a name like SCUM, and against the sentiment of the original “scummers” the Schooner Cove Yacht Club came into being.

Thanks to the dedication of the founding members and many of their successors, we have come a long way since then, but it is well that we should remember our beginnings and the people who made it all possible.