John van Schalkwyk

OCC Port Officer for Jeddore & Halifax, Nova Scotia

The OCC Port Officer Network covers the entire world and is an invaluable benefit for members wherever they may be sailing. John is one of the Club’s most outstanding and enthusiastic members and Port Officers. He is friendly to all who come his way showering them with an abundance of hospitality and helpfulness. Many examples follow:

John and his charming wife Heather are always the most gracious hosts imaginable when visiting yachts come calling at their waterfront home in Jeddore, Nova Scotia. They treat their guests like visiting royalty with unending food, drinks and good humor, plus silver service fit for a king or queen. He also has a special guest mooring of his dock for visiting OCC boats.
John knows yacht service providers in the Halifax intimately and is often able to get things done quickly when help is needed.
Since being appointed Port Officer a few years ago, John has reinvigorated the OCC in Nova Scotia by supporting the club, generating publicity and adding many new members.
John was instrumental in helping us make the Newfoundland Cruise in 2011 such an outstanding event. He made arrangements for two big social events in both Baddeck (CapeBreton) and St. Pierre island. He also signed up several new OCC members to participate in the cruise.
He also organized a very successful cocktail & dinner event this fall at Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron which attracted a number of local yachting luminaries, including the Commodore of the RNSYS.
Above all John has a charming, outgoing personality that makes time spent together most enjoyable and rewarding, as he has many sailing and life stories to tell. His enthusiasm and commitment to the OCC is obvious to all who come his adopted province and country of Nova Scotia, Canada.