Clinton Lake Sailing Association

Please note that we have new requirements in place to operate the Boston Whaler (and Race Committee Boat). Anyone wishing to operate the Boston Whaler must (1) have a boater safety card on file, and (2) successfully demonstrate safe operator skills with Eric B. We hope to certify as many members as possible this spring/summer and build our team of qualified safe powerboat operators.  

1. Boater Safety Card - take any of the NASBLA-approved boater safety courses listed here. Several members have recently taken the $35 boaterexam.com online course, requiring 2-3 hours to complete.   

2. Complete a short hands-on training session with Eric B or Kevin R.  

CLSA plans to order and install a floating parking dock this season for the Whaler so the boat will be easily accessible and deployable. The recent tragedy at Sarasota Youth Sailing reminds us that accidents can happen even with well-trained and experienced boat operators. The CLSA board voted last month to establish minimum safety requirements, and these requirements will be strictly enforced. We will also be installing a prop guard on our Whaler. 

To get started, simply email your boater safety card to clintonlakesailing@gmail.com and Eric will follow up to schedule training.    

Stay safe!  

We have introduced "Shakedown Days" to encourage members to get their boats out to the club and ready to sail before the sailing season starts. Club members will be around to help others get their boats rigged, and some may be willing to tag along on that first "shakedown" sail of the season. Our parking lot managers also will be on site to help with any parking questions.    

Saturday, April 30 - Shakedown Day 1 -  1 p.m.

Saturday, May 14 - Shakedown Day 2 - 1 p.m.

See you at the lake!  

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we've rescheduled the Racing Rules for Beginners Clinic from March 27 to April 6 at 7 p.m.  

Join us for this Rule of Racing for Beginners Clinic. During this 90-minute Zoom clinic, we'll review the most common rules applications when racing. We'll also take questions and allow attendees to submit rules scenarios. 

Register to attend: 

https://www.clsasailing.org/event-4679666 

The CLSA Small Boat Introduction to Sailing class fills up early. If you are interested in taking this class, sign up today before it's too late. This class is offered on Monday and Tuesday evenings. 

Signup link for class starting June 6:

https://www.clsasailing.org/event-4640993

Signup link for class starting July 18: 

https://www.clsasailing.org/event-4641510

This learn to sail course includes 2 days of classroom and 4 days of on-the-water practice.  The on-the-water training will be on Lasers and Sunfish, which are single-person boats.  Tuition for the class is FREE for those who only sign up for the classroom portion. Tuition is $195 for those who sign up for all 6 classroom and on-the-water sessions.Successful completion of this course will result in CLSA Certification, which allows members to sail the club’s small boats.Our course sessions will be held in the CLSA pavilion from 6-8 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday evenings over 3 weeks.

Class Schedule (June 6 Start)

June 6-7 – Classroom

June 13-14 and June 20-June 21 – on the water

Class Schedule (July 18 Start)

July 18-19 – Classroom

July 25-26 and Aug. 1-2 – on the water

Jim Curtis will be offering US Sailing Signal Flag stickers for $1 at the Spring Banquet. This 5.75" x 8.75" sticker describes the signal flags and sounds found in the Race Signal section of the Racing Rule of Sailing (RRS). Very handy for racers! If you miss Jim at the banquet and want a sticker, look for him at CLSA during the season.  

Jim Westervelt will be offering full-color charts of Clinton Lake for $20 each at the Spring Banquet, first come, first served. If he sells out, he will take orders at the banquet. These charts are printed on 20x30 high quality photo paper and look absolutely beautiful. This chart also can be accessed on the 'GPS on Ski map by Maprika' smartphone app for free. Thanks to the cabin boat fleet and Jim for sharing this opportunity. Click here to read more about this on the cabin boat fleet forum (must log in to Wild Apricot).  

What do we need at every race? A good race committee! If you think you might volunteer for a race in 2022, and especially if you are new to race committee, please join us for the Starting Clinic (3/12) and the Rules of Racing for Beginners (3/27) trainings. Be sure to check the CLSA Calendar for April's on the water trainings.

A ship’s bell is struck for each half hour of a four-hour watch, and when a sailor has died, they are honored with the sounding of eight bells, meaning “end of the watch.” Please see the email below sent by Commodore Paul on Craig Rost’s passing.  

Here is a link to the obituary in The News-Gazette.

Dear CLSA – 

We are devastated to share the news that our friend Craig Rost passed away Tuesday.

Craig had cancer and began treatment in 2021. He remained active in the club until fall, when his treatment took a toll on his overall health. He served three terms as commodore, and he will be greatly missed.

Our thoughts are with Gail and the entire Rost family. CLSA has sent flowers and will be planning a special recognition for Craig at a later time. Please check The News-Gazette for information on arrangements.

In the meantime, please share any stories, memories or photos of Craig to be included in the next Windword.

Sincerely, 

Commodore Paul

Jim Westervelt is collecting stories and photos from CLSA members about Craig Rost that Jim will share with the Rost family. Please send any stories, memories and photos of Craig to Jim at westerve@comcast.net or at 217/417-6280. Send your submissions to Jim by Jan. 29. 

It's that time of year again! We hope you'll renew your CLSA membership and support our local sailing community. Our membership dues will remain the same this year. A student membership is $35. An individual membership is $70. A household family membership is $95.  

To renew: Log in to Wild Apricot by visiting CLSASailing.org. Click on your avatar in the upper righthand corner of the screen and go to your profile. Choose the renew membership button. It's very easy. Also, we will be sending renewal email reminders starting February -- you can just click on the link in the renewal email and renew. While you're in the system, please take an extra few moments and update your bio, group participation and subscribe to forums.      

To purchase a 2022 parking permit sticker: Log in to Wild Apricot by visiting CLSASailing.org. In the drop-down menu under “Member Area,” navigate to the Storage page. Order and pay for your sticker and then follow the instructions in your email. You must provide CLSA proof of liability insurance of at least $500,000 per incident.   

Note: CLSA is no longer accepting checks as payment and requires electronic payment for membership dues and storage permit stickers.