VOCS Lakeside Cottage Retreat & Potluck BBQ

Saturday, August 16th | Garden Bay, Sunshine Coast

Join us for a summer day away from the city. Peter Boronkay (who many in VOCS may recognize as the MC of the 2025 Boat Race Dinner) has kindly invited VOCS members for an afternoon retreat at his cottage, which sits on Hotel Lake in Garden Bay on the Sunshine Coast.

Peter has planned a wonderful day of swimming, croquet, table tennis, and a potluck BBQ – everything you need for the perfect lakeside escape.

What to Bring

Please bring:

• Whatever food you'd like to BBQ for lunch, side dishes and shared plates are also welcome
• Drinks for our lakeside happy hour
• Swimming gear and comfortable clothes

Getting There

Travel to Garden Bay takes around 2 hours of driving and requires taking the Horseshoe Bay-to-Langdale ferry (which adds approximately 40 minutes). 

BC Ferries allows reservations on the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route, but unfortunately reservations are fully booked for the morning of August 16th. However, BC Ferries typically only allows 50-70% of ferry space to be reserved in advance, meaning there will be some drive-on spaces available on all sailings.

To ensure you arrive at a suitable time, we recommend arriving at Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal around 7:00 AM. This will give you a chance at making the 7:30 AM sailing and makes it very likely you'll secure a spot on the 8:15 AM departure.

For your return journey to Vancouver, multiple evening sailings are available, and at the time of writing, all can be reserved. The 8:15 PM and 10:30 PM sailings do not require a booking fee.

RSVP & Coordination

When you RSVP, we'll ask for your phone number to add you to a dedicated WhatsApp group. This will help us coordinate the trip and logistics. We'll share a Google Sheet in the WhatsApp with those who have RSVP'd so that people looking for rides can coordinate with drivers. From there, you can connect directly with each other using the information in the sheet and WhatsApp group to sort out the details.

If you're getting a ride with someone, it's great to have a quick chat with your driver about sharing costs. The ferry charges both a flat vehicle fee and per person fares, plus there are fuel costs for the drive. Offering to help with these costs is a thoughtful way to show your appreciation for the ride.

Suggested Itinerary

Saturday, August 16th

7.00-7.45AM - Arrive at Horseshoe Bay 
8:15 AM - Ferry departs Horseshoe Bay to Langdale (Alternative sailings available at 7.30AM and 9.50AM)
9:00 AM - Arrive Langdale
10:15 AM - Arrive at cottage, tour of property
10:45 AM - Open activities: swim, kayak, canoe, paddle boards
12:00 PM - BBQ lunch
1:00 PM - Open activities: swim, kayak, canoe, paddle boards
2:00 PM - Croquet (Oxford rules, naturally!)
3:00 PM - Open activities: swim, kayak, canoe, paddle boards
4:00 PM - Happy hour on the dock
5:00 PM - Table tennis
5:30 PM - Prepare to leave
6:00 PM - Depart cottage
7:15 PM - Arrive at Langdale ferry
8:15 PM - Ferry departure (Alternative sailings available at 5.55PM and 10.30PM)
8:55 PM - Arrive Horseshoe Bay