Events leading up to the Founding of the Apapa Boat Club on 26th October 1964
It all began in 1964 when the Kainji Dam Project was started. Before September 1964 the only convenient place to launch a small boat was the “Guyser’s Wharf” in Apapa, a sort of semi private/public launching facility. However, due to the occupation of the site for the unloading of explosives destined for rock blasting at the Kainji Project, the launching of small boats had to stop.
Two boating enthusiasts Theo Frickel and Gorden Griggs started to look for an alternative launching site. This was done with considerable assistance from the Chief Executive Officer of L.E.D.B. Mr. A. Fadahunsi.
They found an ideal place on a sandy strip opposite Tin Can Island, in those days a mangrove covered and crocodile infested marshy island. The area found was part of a recreational zone provided by L.E.D.B. to separate the industrial and residential areas of Apapa.
Within one month fifty keen people were welling to join in forming a Boat Club and on 26th October 1964 the first meeting was held with “Jesse” Urhobo, Tom McQuarrie, Peter Jones, Norman Stagg and naturally, the two founders Theo Frickel and Gorden Griggs.
Theo Frickel was elected the first Commodore, an office he held for 4 years. The club was named “The Apapa Boat Club” and the “Mermaid” was chosen as a logo.
