A main reason many live in the Olympia area is the quick and easy access to the Puget Sound for gorgeous days spent on a boat. Aside from several places in Olympia that offer boat moorage, there are also several clubs for enthusiasts of all kinds of watercraft to get together and enjoy the water. The Olympia Outboard Club is one of these, and it’s looking back on 75 years of boating the Sound.
Seven local families got together in 1950 to share their passion for outboard motorboats, including Afdem, Degler, Grout, Macklin, Carlson, Demkovic, Kincy, and Cole. “There are also some multi-generational families as well in the club to include the Looker family being the most prominent,” adds Richard Klein, current commodore of Olympia Outboard Club.
Post-World War II Motorboats Spark Olympia Club Creation
The 1950s were a unique time in history, as the world recovered from WWII. The Olympia families that got together to form the Olympia Outboard Club loved to boat and wanted to share that passion with others in an affordable way. “The founders were outboard boating enthusiasts who wanted a space to come together, share and promote boating knowledge, and enjoy what was, at the time, a new and exciting form of family recreation,” shares Steve Weeks, board member and trustee of the Olympia Outboard Club. “It was as much about community as it was about boats.”
Why outboard motorboats? An outboard motorboat is a boat that has a motor outside the hull, explains Weeks, making it lighter, faster and easier to handle. The boats were also affordable for families in the 1950s, allowing more people to enjoy the fun of boating on the Puget Sound. While all outboard motorboats back then ran on gasoline, 75 years later you have the choice of diesel, propane and electric power, in addition to gas-powered.
“Post-WWII advancements in engine technology made them lighter and more powerful, which gave rise to the flat-bottom wooden boats you’d see at races,” shares Weeks. “Several of the OOC’s early members were passionate boat racers.”
Founding the Capital Lakefair
Some Olympia history you may not know is that the Olympia Outboard Club helped found the Capital Lakefair event we love today. The Adfem family, one of the club’s founding families, was also involved in the first Lakefair in 1957. Chuck Adfem was on the planning committee and the LakeFair was tied closely to boating, demonstration races and water sports on Capitol Lake, shares Weeks. As these events were phased out, the Olympia Outboarding Club’s involvement also waned.
Olympia Outboarding Club Today
Celebrating 75 years, the club is still just as vibrant and active as ever. They still strive to be more about community gatherings, and not just the boats, though the boats are still popular as an affordable way to get out on the water. “Our club is filled with multi-generational families,” Weeks shares. “Many grandchildren are learning to boat in the same waters where their grandparents once raced or fished.It’s a shared tradition that brings people together.”
The Olympia Outboard Club facilities include 150 feet of seasonal docks, six RV camping areas with power, tent sites, an upper kitchen where the club holds events, restrooms with showers and more. They even grow their own oysters!
Although not involved in Lakefair any more, Olympia Outboarding Club has many events throughout the year, including Veteran & First Responder Family Appreciation Day on Steamboat Island; South Sound Paddlers & Rowers Race around Squaxin Island; South Sound Boating Opening Day in May; July 4th Family Appreciation Day; Fishing Derby; Cider Squeeze; Trailer Sailor Event; and an Annual Change of Watch Ceremony.
To become a member of the Olympia Outboard Club, fill out the application on their website.
“The future of the Olympia Outboard Club is rooted in honoring our past while welcoming the next generation of boaters” shares Klein. “We’ll continue to foster community through boating activities, preserve our rich history, and expand outreach programs, especially those supporting Veterans, First Responders, and our club members. As we celebrate 75 years, we’re not just looking back, we’re charting a course forward!”
