OCEAN WAVES SQUARE DANCE CLUB

Square dancing had been going on in the valley since the 50’s. As with many clubs, the Ocean Waves had a variety of caller/cuers over the years including the Jeglums, Doug and Elsie Anderson, Mike and Lena Groenendyks, Wolf and Ann Clar.

 

In particular the Andersons, Groenendyks and Clars kept the club going, sometimes struggling through low attendance and few new dancers.

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Prior to the Ocean Waves a club called The Co-Ho-Downers was formed in 1957 under the leadership of Leo Auterson. Wolf Clar took over this group from 1960 – 1969.

 

The next caller was Ron Leonard who changed the name of the club to the Comox Valley Squares. He continued until 1973 when he moved on to the Ripple Rockets Club in Campbell River.

 

Bob and Joy Jeglum took over the club then and continued until 1977, renaming the club the Ocean Waves. 

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A spirit remained however and Fran and Roger Archambault became Caller Couple in 2009.

 

The club now has regular attendance, and new enthusiasm graduating 21 students under Fran’s instruction in 2014.The Ocean Waves dance the lst and 3rd Saturday night, every month from September through May at the Florence Filberg Centre in Courtenay.

 

Lessons are Monday night at the Church of St. John the Divine on 5th Street. Starting in 2017 the club hosted a weekend event Called "Catch the Wave." We hope to make this an annual event which will include a street dance in conjunction with Market Days in Courtenay.

 

Covid closed our club for the 2020 and 2021 dance season but we came back in the last part of 2022 to start "rust removal dances" in the spring.  2022 - 2023 season has the club slowly getting back on it's feet with new dancers joining us and plans to once again host "Catch the Wave" in the summer.  Square Dancing is still lots of fun.   

 

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