2022 Summer Guide

Welcome

Happy Summer Thunder Beach!  

This Guide will provide you with important information and dates regarding all of the benefits of your Thunder Beach Membership, including sporting events and leagues, dates and registration details for youth baseball and flag football leagues affiliated with the TBA, social events (they're back!) as well as the important safety reminders regarding boating, and responsible pet ownership.  This page will be available all summer, so check back regularly for updates on programming available at the beach!  

TBA Emails and Updates

Have you missed an update?   Our previous emails and blog posts can be found here.  You can also subscribe to future updates from this page!

Children's Camp

I am excited to announce Thunder Beach Camp is fully staffed and ready to open Friday July 1st! Our Head Counsellor this summer will be Olivia Blythe-Wolf and the Assistant Head Counsellor is Cle Cle Murphy-Ives. They have both been working hard behind the scenes to make camp a memorable one! 

We have some new activity night programs with Slim the Night Away where kids can make different slimy slims and Wilderness Night learn to tie different knots and make marshmallows and much much more! Save the date (July 20th) Carnival Night is Back! 

Below I have provided a reminder of times and cost for camp throughout the summer. *Please remember flip flops, crocs or sandals are not permitted during camp. We also encourage campers to bring their own labeled water bottle. 

PLAY SCHOOL AND SPORTS CAMP

Play School – ages 4-6 (6 is included in Play School as the 6 year olds have the option of being in Play School) 

Junior Sports Camp – ages 6-9 (6 is included in Junior Sports Camp as the 6 year olds have the option of being in Junior Sports Camp) 

Senior Sports Camp – ages 10 and up

TENNIS CAMP

*Ball play is physical activities promoting hand-eye coordination and gross motor movement leading up to tennis play.

CAMP PRICING

The “Flexible Family Plan” will remain in effect for the 2022 season.  This package allows families to purchase in advance 10 days of camp for the price of $130. This package will continue to be available throughout the summer. Just a reminder that this package must be purchased in advance, may only be used by children within an immediate family whose names have been registered in advance, and are non-refundable and non-transferable and cannot be carried over from one summer to the next. Camp can be purchased online at: https://thunderbeach.org/collections/camp 

Field Day

Welcome Back Field Day. It has been way too long, so let's get our running shoes prepped and our egg tossing skills ready to go! Hope to see everyone on the field at 10am July 2nd.  Field Day includes running races for all ages, face painting, ice cream, and more.  Join us for this Thunder Beach tradition to kick off the season!  August Field Day will be on Saturday July 30th at 10am.

Lobsterfest

The return of Lobsterfest will take place on Saturday July 2nd So dust off your dancing shoes, get ready to see your favourite bartenders, and get prepared to hit the dance floor all night with our very own DJ Bryan Taylor! Buy your tickets now!

Tennis

Everyone is looking forward to another great year on the courts!  The Courts are now open!  Please remember that you must be both a TBA member and a tennis member to play.  Tennis Memberships can be purchased here!

Online Court Booking System

Once a member, you can book your court through the TBA Online court booking system.  If you have purchased a tennis membership and are unsure of how to login to book a court, please let us know by emailing news@thunderbeach.org.   

Drop In Tennis

Drop In Tennis is our community doubles tennis program open to all skill levels.  Please do “drop in” and play every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in July and August from 10am to 12pm (starting July 4, 2022).  

Tennis Tournaments

The Thunder Beach tennis tournaments are a vibrant tradition and lots of fun.  Please come, see who you get paired with, and enjoy the day!  Watch this space and your email for information about online sign-ups.  

Mixed Doubles – July 9, 2022

Men’s Doubles – July 23, 2022

Women’s Doubles – August 6, 2022

Thunder Beach Youth Baseball

Batter up! Thunder Beach Youth Baseball returns for our 30th season.

Five teams will play Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 6:00 beginning July 5th and the final tournament on Friday July 22nd.

Thunder Beach Youth Baseball involves children from 6 to 15. Core values are safety, community building, leadership, kindness and having fun! No baseball experience is required…….. we have not had a strikeout for over 25 years!

TB 2 on 2 Basketball Tournament (16+)

Saturday July 9th - 10:30 am

The Thunder Beach basketball tourney is back for its third installment. We will stick to 16 year olds and older as of July 9th. The competition levels have been getting better each year, and this year we will have 80's and 90's themed music playing throughout. A google forms signup will be posted by Tuesday July 5th for registration.

23rd Annual Tawny Richard Memorial Beach Volleyball Tournament

Saturday July 16th - 11 am

The Tawny Richard Beach Annual Volleyball Tournament is back after a two year hiatus. Team signup in random selection will be the process, and we will have advanced registration the week of the event. 

 It’s a six on six tournament that has proven to be a great way to mix and mingle with Thunder Beachers regardless of skill level.  Players must be 16 or older.  The Tournament runs in the day from 11:30 a.m. to about 4:00 p.m. Rain or shine! The winning team gets their name engraved on the Trophy which is kept at the Friendly Corner Store for all to see.

We would like to thank the Butler and Bolt family for graciously agreeing to host this event again on 12-14 East Beach Road (just a few cottages east of the Simcoe Country road right-a-way – you will see the nets on the day).  Remember to walk (not drive) and to respect their property and the neighbouring properties.  Looking forward to those Thunder Strikes and Deep Digs!  The water has pulled back and the beach is ready to test your VBall grit. 

Questions go to John Philpott jsphilpott@gmail.com 

TB Kids 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

Sunday July 17th  - Time TBD

This year we will have our first ever kids basketball tournament, with teams to be made up the day of the event. All kids aged 10-15 are open to register with their parent's permission via a google form the week of the event. 

 All questions to be sent to  Tyler Richard tylertrichard@gmail.com

Metis Day

Join us on Sunday, July 24, 2022 from 2 to 4 p.m. for a celebration of Metis culture.  The afternoon will include an interactive family friendly seminar on Metis culture, music and heritage by Marg Raynor and Basil Lafreneire.  The event will include a display of Thunder Beach artifacts from the Labatte homestead, a short presentation on Louis Reil’s lost accordion, beadwork, Metis Paintings, and you can even learn to play the spoons!  Free admission, but please consider making a suggested $10 donation to support the TBA playground!  

2022 Luke Santi Memorial Flag Football Tournament

We can’t wait for the 19th year of exciting Flag Football at Thunder Beach. The tournament, renamed in memory of Luke Santi in 2008, has enabled hundreds of boys and girls aged 10-15 to participate, learn the sport of football and have fun.  

Luke thoroughly enjoyed every summer with his family at Thunder Beach.  He played in the inaugural TB Flag Tournament in 2003 and participated each year until his cancer diagnosis in 2007 (when he coached, age 16). Luke had a passion for research and discovery.  He earned top marks with 1st class honours in his academic studies while enjoying robotics, reach for the top, science and engineering fairs and captaining the high school basketball and volleyball teams.  He was a humble, well-liked leader and friend to many.

The Tournament will be played Monday, July 25th to Friday, July 29th.  Of course, plans are also in place for the Tailgate BBQ (TBD) & Adult Game on Friday!  All tournament details are on the TBA website.

If you are interested in Playing, Coaching or Refereeing, register ONLINE on the TBA website by Friday, July 22nd.

38th Annual Thunder Run

Time to dust off those running shoes and get training!  

This year’s event will start with the 9k event at 8:30 am so you’re back with lots of time before August Field Day. Start & finish will be at the Clubhouse.

Key Details:

TIME: The Race Day event will start at 8:30am on Saturday, July 30. The 9k will go first and a more detailed schedule will be sent out in the days prior to the race. 

LOCATION: The Start & Finish Line will be @ the Clubhouse. 

DISTANCE: Kids 12 & under 2k event (note: adults are welcome to participate); 5k route and a 9k route (15+ yrs old to compete in the 9k). 

PRIZING: G/B 12 & under 2k event, G/B 14 & under 5k Event, M/F 15+ 5k event, M/F 9k event. (Big thanks again to Tyler Richard & Saucony for continued support!)

Details subject to change. 

“I just felt like running”,  Forrest Gump

August Event: Viva Las Vegas!

Saturday July 30th, come join us for a night 'On the Strip' 

This year's August event night will pay homage to the glitz and glamour of old Vegas. Breezy sunsets, clouded by an air of mystique, and a feeling that tonight, tonight just might be the night to win BIG. 

Join us this August long weekend to listen to the sounds of DJ Bryan Taylor spinning your favourite Wayne Newton and Elvis tunes and find out what might transpire when Chevy Chase crosses paths with Hunter S. Thompson at the craps table...

Bring along your lucky charms and get ready to roll the dice and spin the roulette wheel as we celebrate summer at the Thunder Beach clubhouse! Buy your tickets now!

Lights Out Thunder Beach

Participate in a new event this year, Lights Out Thunder Beach!  On Saturday August 12th we ask everyone to turn all outdoor lights off and keep indoor lights to a minimum so that we can enjoy the night sky to its fullest extent.

August 12th coincides with the Perseid Meteor shower.  Get your candles and flashlights ready for an evening under the sky!

Labatte Homestead Rendezvous & Thunder Jam 2022! 

We are excited to bring back Basil Lafreniere and the Red Hot Stove Pipe Band for another Thunder Jam this August 20, 2022.  This event will include the Labatte Homestead Rendezvous, which was previously held in June.  This will mark a coming together of the Metis community, Labatte descendants, and the Thunder Beach Community. Funds will again be raised to support the Big Brothers, Big Sisters North Simcoe! 

Family Fun Festivities start at 11:00 a.m. with wagon rides pulled by beautiful Clydesdale horses going all day.  The horse drawn wagon will shuttle everyone back and forth to tours of the historic Labatte cottage on Westshore Drive.  This is the historic homestead of the Labatte family who settled on Thunder Beach in 1834.  So much to see and learn about right in Thunder Beach!  

Music by Thunder Beach’s very own Basil Lafreniere and the Red Hot Stove Pipe Band will begin around 1:00 p.m.  If you would like to join on stage to play or sing some songs, please get in contact – jsphilpott@gmail.com.  

The festivities will continue into the evening of August 20th with a ticketed dinner and dance.  Tickets are available here!  Limited tickets are available.  Your name will be put on a ticket and will be available at the door. 

AGM

The Thunder Beach Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday, August 27th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at the Clubhouse.  

TB Homerun Derby

Saturday Aug 27 - 1:30 pm (or after AGM)

What's a Home Run Derby? Well, it's where a  person hits a softball as far as they can as many times as they can in 10 hits. The new annual event of which tennis player leaves their car too close to the diamond adds a bout of intrigue. Grab your batting gloves, eat your spinach like Popeye and get ready for some dingers. Registration via google for the week of the event.

Questions go to Tyler Richard tylertrichard@gmail.com

Over/Under 40 Softball Game

Saturday Sept 3 - Time TBD

The renewed battle of young versus old is back for another go around after the complete domination of the youth by the seniors in 2021. 10 players on the field at a time, and competition to close the summer. Bragging rights are on the line, and the young ballers may need to do some late summer recruiting. 

When it comes to over/under softball the diamond is forever... or at least a year of winning pride

Questions go to Tyler Richard tylertrichard@gmail.com

Reconciliation Community Information Sharing

We would like to acknowledge that we are on the traditional and Treaty territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, and Odawa nations. As settler people and guests on this land we are all bound by treaty agreements. The land we are on is covered by the pre-confederation Treaty No. 5 of Penetanguishene, which was signed in 1798 between the British Crown and the aforementioned nations. These lands are also protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement. Thunder Beach is also home to Citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario, represented by the Georgian Bay Métis Council. The rich culture and history of the Métis Nation is recognized and celebrated in our community. There have been subsequent treaties including the disputed Williams Treaty of 1923, the Métis Nations were not included in historical treaty agreements.

We would like to acknowledge Beausoleil First Nation, home to the G'Chimnissing nation, and part of the Chippewas of Lake Simcoe and Huron. The Chippewa Tri-Council is an alliance of three First Nation communities now known as the Chippewas of Beausoleil First Nation on Christian Island, the Chippewas of Georgina Island, and the Chippewas of Rama First Nation. 

We would like to recognize that the Indian Act, the Residential School System, the 60’s scoop and contemporary Indigenous-specific racism continue to create detrimental impacts to Indigenous people and lands. It is with humility that members of our community are committed to moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation and respect with all First Nation, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Thank you, Merci Beaucoup, Miigwetch, Marsii

*If you are interested in learning my more, please don’t hesitate to ask.

There is a small group of Thunder Beach community members and guests who are meeting online to discuss, learn and take steps together towards creating inclusion, establishing outreach, and moving forward in the spirit of reconciliation. We welcome anyone interested to join us, please contact katie.saundercook@gamil.com or stop by 107 Centre Beach Road and speak with Anne or Bill Saundercook.* 

Cultural/Educational Seminars

The first ever Thunder Beach Art Show was a tremendous success and raised substantial funds for the field remediation project.  Are you interested in attending or contributing to any further cultural events or seminars?  Let us know and keep an eye on this space for more events in future.  

Thunder Beach Clubhouse Rental Information

• Clubhouse CANNOT be rented in the months of July and August. We will make an exception for memorials
• Clubhouse Rental fees are different for members vs non-members.  TBA contract needs to be signed and the clubhouse must be returned to original condition by the end of the day
• Interested parties can contact - Geoff MacGregor gamacgregor@gmail.com or 416-371-8560

Boating Rules inside the Buoys

You must follow the safety rules while boating, whether on a pleasure craft or SeaDoo. In particular, it is strictly prohibited to have any wake while inside the buoys.  All boat traffic should be running perpendicular to the shoreline when inside the swim buoys.  If you are doing a cruise along the bay, ensure you are a safe distance from the buoys.  This is for everyone’s safety.  

Road Safety

SPEED LIMIT 

The speed limit on most of the roads at Thunder Beach was reduced to 30 kph last fall. New signage is now in place. 

HELMETS     

We want to remind everyone about the need to wear an approved bicycle helmet. While it is the law that all children under 18 must wear a helmet, adults an also suffer head injuries if an accident happens. 

Be smart, be safe, wear a helmet.

GOLF CARTS/OFF ROAD VEHICLES            

A reminder from the Ontario Provincial Police that golf carts are not permitted on any Tiny Township roadways. Off Road Vehicle use is prohibited on roadways within Tiny Township, with some very limited exceptions: https://www.tiny.ca/Pages/Motorized-Machines.aspx

TRUCKS ON OUR ROADS

Increasingly, we are seeing more and more large trucks on our roads. Feedback from Association members indicates that these vehicles are often travelling well over the posted speed limit. There are a couple of ways to handle this issue. If you are contracting businesses to provide services to your property, inform them of your wishes that they adhere to the limit. There are a lot of businesses  competing for your business, let them know if you are unhappy with their service. And secondly, only if we inform the OPP will we get their intention So pick up the phone once or twice this summer and complain about speeding on your road. 

The number is : 1-888-310-1122 and is in our Roster.

Responsible Dog Ownership

See below for a summary of the Tiny Township by-laws regarding dogs: 

• Dogs are to be on leash at all times, whether that’s on the road or on the beach; 
• Owners are to pick up after their dogs; 
• All dogs are to be up to date on their vaccines, i.e., rabies; 
• All dogs are to be licensed;

Let’s have a fun and safe summer with our furry friends.   

Thunder Beach Community - Facebook Group

In order to provide a forum for community members to connect, buy & sell, discuss, and inform we have created a Facebook Group called Thunder Beach Community.  Please join the group and feel free to post to connect with your fellow beachers.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/thunderbeach.org

Please also follow @thunderbeach on Instagram.

Sponsors!

Thank you to our sponsors who have continued to support the Thunder Beach Association by advertising in our Roster and on the website.  Please be sure to check your roster or our Sponsors section when you are in need of a service around the beach.