About Us

The Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame, located five minutes from Bracebridge, Ontario in the heart of Muskoka, CRHF tells the story of Canada’s success, past and present, in national and international boat racing.

Conceived and spearheaded by Murray Walker & Jamie Smith, the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame is a focal point to celebrate the people, boats and stories that punctuate Canada's exceptional history on the water. As a registered charity, the aim of the CRHF is to share, preserve and celebrate the diverse and notable history of Canadian race boating success.

The exhibits in the permanent and “on loan" collection include active race boats and notable champions such as Miss Supertest III - previously on display at the Ontario Science Centre.

In addition to the exhibits, the CRHF will also serve as the home to boat building groups such as the Muskoka Seaflea Club. Live workshops, gatherings and hands-on workshops will be a notable feature of the experience.

The preservation of racing history includes an archival depository covering the history of Canadian boat racing including boats such as Miss Supertest III and Tempo VII.

The Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame will be opening in the summer of 2024. It will be a destination the entire family can explore and enjoy.

Jamie is an avid raceboat enthusiast, fundraiser and community volunteer in the Township of Muskoka.

As a passionate supporter of boating heritage, Jamie worked alongside Murray Walker to raise nearly $1M to support the opening of Grace and Speed (now known as the Muskoka Discovery Centre at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst) and managed the restoration of Miss Canada IV in 2012.

After a long career in the automotive industry, Jamie served as the Executive Director of the docudrama film, Harold and Lorna World Water Speed Champions, produced in 2012.

Jamie is the Past Director and Founding member of the Florida Vintage Raceboat Club in Tavares, Florida. FVRC hosts an annual March event in Tavares, Florida and was responsible for Introducing Murray to Gordon Thompson, through whom Murray acquired Miss Supertest III in 2017.

The acquisition led to the desire build the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame and to “preserve the history of the drivers, designers and builders who brought International Boat Racing Fame to Canada”.

As owner, President and CEO, Lew led his family food manufacturing and marketing company, E.D. Smith & Sons for over twenty years. Lew is a certified Chartered Director, Directors College, with extensive leadership, marketing and operational experience in both the profit and not for profit sectors.

Lew recently led the privately held Helderleigh Foundation and was a member of the board of Philanthropic Foundations Canada. Lew additionally created the Niagara Fruit Institute, a registered charity which offered workshops, tours and informative displays for public health.

While leading E.D. Smith & Sons, the company was honoured to receive the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Achievement Award, the Canada Achievement Excellence Award for Entrepreneurship and was selected as one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Private Companies.

Son of Canada’s first-ever World Champions in any power sport, Harry honed his hydroplane designing, building and racing skills under the watchful eyes of parents Lorna and Harold Wilson and brother/team mate Ernie.

With three Canadian Outboard National Championships to his credit, Harry expanded into race promotion including live and taped race announcing. A trained theatrical actor, producer, director and teacher, Harry has a flair for the dramatics and has been the voice of powerboat racing in English-speaking Canada for the last two decades.

An authority on Canada’s powerboat racing history, he is a frequent writer for and guest speaker to national and international boating events. Harry has been involved in the Canadian Raceboat Hall of Fame initiative since inception and is honoured and delighted to serve on its Board of Directors.

About

We are set to open in Summer 2024...

Meet our Board of Directors

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Reach out to chat with our team about hosting an event, celebrating our launch or becoming one of our founding supporters.