Mike Morris can remember the days when the Fanshawe Yacht Club proudly had 300 boats regularly sailing from its docks.

Over the years, Mike says the club's membership has gone up and down quite a bit as sailing has moved in and out of fashion. Today, Mike says the club has about 120 boats - perhaps 100 on a regular basis - sailing the waters of Fanshawe Lake.

And while that number may seem small to some, Mike, the club's public relationships chairman, says it represents a positive recent trend for the club.

"I think we are in strong shape. We are right at where we've been in recent years, plus we have made some strong additions, the two dragonboat teams, the competitive rowers," Mike says. "I think we are really going ahead now. We have new members, older members coming back, the paddlers. Adding the dragon boat clubs (both the Rowbust and Wonderland clubs are operating out of the yacht club this year because of low water levels on the Thames River) has been a real plus for us."

That plus, Mike says, isn't just in having more people using the club, but also in helping to get it ready for the season.

"Every spring, and in the fall, there is a lot of work to be done, the docks, the moorings. The dragon boat people have just done such a tremendous job. Having them here has made a real difference," Mike says. "We've had boats in the water much earlier, three weeks. That's earlier than usual. Every spring there is so much to do and the members from the dragonboat clubs have done so much work, it is great to have them here. It's really made a difference."

Brenda Pentland is president of the Wonderland Dragon Boat Club and says her members have been thrilled by not only the reception they received from the yacht club, but by having the opportunity to practice on Fanshawe Lake.

"We love being here. We've been so welcomed here. I've talked to a lot of club members who have said even if there was another option, if the river was usable, this is where they want to be," Brenda says. "The club pays a membership (to the yacht club) and then each member pays $40. We've given the rest in brute work (she says jokingly). The lake has been great. Some people may have been worried about being out here, but from that respect, it's been great. You gain different skill set practicing out here and that's a good thing."

Mike says having the two dragon boat teams come to Fanshawe, along with a competitive rowing team which has moved out to the yacht club this year, has really helped create excitement for this new season.

However, there is another group that Mike says is starting to generate excitement as well.

"We've seen the kids coming back too. We've seen parents who were kids when they first learned to sail coming back with their own kids now. It's an opportunity for them to learn a skill they will have forever," Mike says. "They are getting introduced to racing, which is the thing that really gets people hooked, that really gets people excited."

Jens Biskaborn and his sons Brad and Kevin certainly agree.

Jens has been a club member since 1970 and introduced his boys to sailing before either was even 10 years old.

"Racing is the thing that gets people excited for sure. I think maybe 65-70 of the boats out here are for racing. Lots of dads and sons are coming out. I know I spend a lot of time racing the boys, it's great," Jens says. "The biggest problem is getting young kids out. But people come out and see the fun we have and they want to be a part of it. It's a blast."

Brad, 22, says sailing has been a family affair for as long as he can remember and credits racing with keeping his interest.

"If it wasn't for racing, I wouldn't be out here. People say they are going sailing and then just sit in the boat. Racing is what draws people in," says Brad who is currently ranked 327th out of 800 competitive racers in the world. "It's like any other sport; it's the competitive side that keeps people interested. It's great having everyone come out, there is such a positive attitude."

Kevin, 21, who now looks after the yacht club's website, says being a member is great fun and something parents with younger children should get involved in sailing.

"It's a lot of fun for the family. The racing, the competition, that's one thing. But we have so much fun just rigging the boats. And when you get on the water, it's the smaller boats that are closer to the water that makes it even more exciting."