The group was started in 2002 by a local pipe smoker, Eric Mathurin. It was a chance to see if others had any knowledge or experience to share with respect to pipe smoking. The numbers grew, meetings were held, and things ballooned from there. Some great times were had, and we even attracted some impressive guests to our meetings, such as pipe carver Philip Trypis and representatives from Brigham Enterprises (as well as contributions from Cornell & Diehl, PipesWorld.com and The Ottawa Cigar Emporium).

With Ottawa’s implemented smoking ban at the time, the club took a heavy hit. Without indoor locations to gather and enjoy a pipe and each other’s company, we were left to the mercy of patios and Mother Nature. Numbers and interest dwindled, but the club stayed alive. Slowly, it moved to a small group of friends who would gather monthly at someone’s house to… well… enjoy a pipe and each other’s company.

Regrettably, two of our longstanding members, Eric Stendal and Eric Mathurin, had to move out of Ottawa and we found our numbers quite diminished, but we could not let the pipe go out. So having taken over a point of contact (I, Matty, hesitate to take on the term of “president”), it was time to get the word out. Flyers were put up, local shop owners were approached, and the message board came back to life. For quite a while, there were pipe smokers who dabbled in the hobby sort of getting together but with a meeting place tough to find; and transportation issues/timings etc…it has proven challenging to get together.

In 2009, Eric Stendal returned to Ottawa. In speaking with a few fellows from work who had an interest in taking up the pipe, the idea of kickstarting this club up again is being discussed. It is hoped that those who show an interest in pipe & cigar smoking will be able to join the members of this club and catch the fire of pipe & cigar smoking in a bigger way.

Update: 30 March 2024

It has indeed been many, many years of ‘no club’ action in the Ottawa area. The city is not without its pipe smokers – they’ve just been smoking all alone or in little two-somes here and there. It’s time to change that.

We’re going to be introducing the monthly pipe club again! Meeting will be held in Stittsville and, after some time, may rove around depending on members’ availability to host and the weather.

We’re very excited to be kick-starting this club up again.