Members must be logged in to register for member-only events.
Please check your email and/or event listing for any cancellation notification.
Come join the Thistle Thursday tradition!
New sailor orientation is held at 5pm. We will rig and launch boats and have informal, practice races starting around 6pm. Following sailing, we will enjoy our traditional brat cookout.
To RSVP, look for the Thistle Thursday event in our Fleet 66 GroupMe or email clsa.ThistleFleet66@gmail.com.
Arrrrrrrr B Darrrrrrrr! It be the Captain Morgan Race Weekend!
This is event is an open 2 day club race weekend and brunch open for all CLSA members in good standing and their guests.
Please register online so we have a head count for those attending and so we can notify you of any potential changes.
RC boat will be on the water in front of marina by 12:30pm to start the distance race(s) at 1pm. Race Committee will be monitoring VHF Channel 68 for any questions or concerns.
To register for the Sunday morning brunch, visit the social event here.
All 2026 CLSA members and their guests are welcome at the Captain Morgan Brunch which begins at 10. The Brunch is not just for those racing.
We have the Pavillion at the Peninsula Day Use area (on the south of the lake between the dam and the shooting club) reserved for our use all day.
Brunch menu includes coffee, pancakes, sausage, and fruit. Please enter any dietary restrictions when you register!
Brunch will wrap up around 11:30 to allow time to prepare for the day's distance racing.
Click here to register to race or crew for the Captain Morgan.
Map to Peninsula Day Use Pavillion (location for both Sunday Brunch and Awards)
Join us for a comprehensive Small Boat Sailing Refresher Clinic designed specifically to bring past students up to speed with this year's small boat laser fleet. This session will guide you through locating essential equipment, provide an in-depth rigging review, and offer on-the-water sailing experience with our fleet of Lasers. This clinic is your chance to refresh your skills, boost your confidence on the water, and reconnect with fellow sailing enthusiasts. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to sharpen your sailing prowess and enjoy a day on the water!
Small Boat Refresher Clinic will be held at the Parnell Boat Access Area on Clinton Lake.
Save the Date!
The full moon has risen again! Come join us at Mascoutin Launch for an outdoor dinner. There should be ample dock space to sail over from the marina beforehand.
A variety of food will be available including a tailgate grill with brats and dogs. Bring your sides of choice to share if you'd like.
Note: The IDNR Concessionaire has added a new building where Boondocks was located that could be an alternative food option.
After dinner, members are encouraged to enjoy a relaxing evening sail with the club. Bring a flashlight to shine up your main sail if you don't have running lights.
It's the 1st Bouy race of the season!
This event is an open club race for all CLSA member and visitors who are in good standing.
Please register online so we have a head count for those attending and to notify those planning to attend of any potential changes.
RC boat will be on the water by 12:30pm to start the race(s) in front of marina at 1pm. Race Committee will be monitoring VHF Channel 68 for any questions or concerns.
A few changes are required to our racing program this year.
1) Registration in advance is necessary if you plan to race. All CLSA members in good standing are allowed to skipper in CLSA club races. Members, please log in to select the 'Skipper' option. Guest Skipper Registration is available for prospective, new members. Please email the membership chair (clsamembership@gmail.com) to receive a guest entry code.
2) The CLSA Race Notices will be the official notice board for the event. Signals made ashore will leverage electronic notifications to registered participants.
3) Because of limitations with boats launching from multiple locations, there is no planned competitor's briefing prior to the race.
4) Sailing Instructions will be posted in this event and the Notice Board when finalized. Any additional information to be conveyed by the Race Committee Chair or PRO will also be posted on the Notice Board and broadcast in a reminder email, typically the evening before the event. Changes will be announced on the water via VHF 68.
Course
We will race a leeward start course.
Schedule
1:00pm - First Warning Signal
More races to follow
3:00pm - Latest Warning Signal
Volunteers, please register for this event as a volunteer by clicking the 'register' button.
Don't forget to join the Small Boat Fleet conversation by signing into groups.google.com and searching for the CLSA-Laser-Fleet-Forum.
Small Boat Tuesday will be held at the Parnell Boat Access Area on Clinton Lake.
Get your race on!
This is event is an open club race for all CLSA member and visitors who are in good standing.
Discover the joy of sailing with our upcoming "Learn to Sail Small Boats" class! Whether you're seeking a fresh challenge or a relaxing way to spend your free time, these six day class offers the perfect blend of classroom learning and hands-on experience. You'll start with two classroom sessions to build on your sailing basics, followed by four on-the-water sessions where you put sailing theory into action. Best of all, the classroom sessions are completely free — making it easier than ever to start your journey.
The on-the-water training will be on Lasers and Sunfish which are single-person boats.
Successful completion of this course will result in CLSA Certification, which allows members to sail the club small boats. Our course sessions will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday & Tuesday evenings over 3 weeks.
Class Schedule
Monday, June 8 (Classroom)
Tuesday, June 9 (Classroom)
Monday, June 15 Tuesday, June 16 Monday, June 22
Tuesday, June 23
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, CLSA will be hosting the Introduction to Sailing classes at the Parnell Boat Access Area on Clinton Lake.
CLSA and Thistle Fleet #66 are proud to sponsor the Hike Out Regatta. We hope you'll join us for weekend of fun racing and friendship.
Please register if you plan to race.
We will be conducting our Youth Sailing Camp on June 20th.
This engaging class invites young sailors to explore the exciting world of sailing, empowering them to take command of their own vessels. Participants will journey through essential sailing principles, participate in hands-on capsize recovery drills, and experience an hour of on-the-water sailing. Young captains will navigate nimble Optimist dinghies or sleek Laser sailboats, mastering the art of harnessing wind and water. Meanwhile, parents are encouraged to watch their young sailors' progress and cheer them on from one of our safety boats.
Tuition for this class is $50 for each child to attend. The morning session starts at 9am, an early afternoon session starts at 12pm, and the late afternoon session starts at 3pm. Please select the appropriate enrollment option as we need to accommodate sailors with an appropriate boat based on their size.
A lite barbecue lunch will be included for students and volunteers at 11:30am.
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, CLSA will be hosting the Youth Sailing Camp at the Parnell Boat Access Area on Clinton Lake.
While this is not a full moon, it is the (second) longest day of the year, which gives us an opportunity for evening sailing.
We will meet at Mascoutin Launch Area for a supper pot luck picnic. Bring something to grill and or a dish to share. Club will provide coolers stocked with ice and non-alchoholic drinks
After feasting, it will be time for an evening sail on the (second) longest day of the year, listening for owls and looking for shooting stars. Bring a flashlight to shine up your main sail!
The Mascoutin Launch is located at https://maps.app.goo.gl/5v8uU3i7ZXrBjsav5. We will meet around the finger docks between the launch ramp and the swimming beach.
CLSA is excited to host Family Fridays. This event is the chance for parents with youth sailors to enjoy quality time together at the lake. Come out and experience the joy of sailing and sharing sailing skills.
Sailing offered for Family Friday will be based on conditions on the day. Club boats may be available, but cabin boat rides offered by fellow CLSA members will be available.
Hot dogs and snacks provided. BYOBeverages.
Please register if you plan to attend. Always check our cancellations page at CLSASailing.org before driving out to the lake.
Google Maps link to Parnell Boat Access Area: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ThVZG8xCKdpSAjnLA
Volunteers: please register as a volunteer.
RSVP yes/no from the announcement email and you will not receive further announcement emails specific to this event.
Laser/Sunfish small boat buoy racing.
This event is buoy race for small single-handed sailboats open for all CLSA member and visitors who are in good standing.
Save the date! Activities to be determined
This additional Small Boat Sailing class provides coaching tailored specifically for CLSA Laser fleet sailors, leveraging the US Sailing curriculum. Designed for those who have completed the CLSA Intro to Small Boat Sailing course, this program utilizes hands-on, on-the-water training to enhance your sailing skills and boost your confidence on the water.
The Intermediate course sessions will be held from 6:00-8:00 pm on Monday & Tuesday evenings over 2 weeks.
Monday, July 13 Tuesday, July 14 Monday, July 20
Tuesday, July 21
Completion of the Small Boat Intro to Sailing Course is recommended before the Intermediate course. The six session Small Boat Intro Course is being held in June.
We will be conducting an addition session of our Youth Sailing Camp on July 18th.
Tuition for this class is $50 for each child to attend. The morning session starts at 9am. Please select the appropriate enrollment option as we need to accommodate sailors with an appropriate boat based on their size.
We will be conducting our Youth Sailing Camp on July 18th.
This youth small boat sailing session provides additional sailing time for young sailors to further develop their sailing skills covering Intermediate skills. Young captains will navigate nimble Optimist dinghies or Laser sailboats, mastering the art of harnessing wind and water. Meanwhile, parents are encouraged to watch their young sailors' progress and cheer them on from one of our safety boats.
Tuition for this class is $50 for each child to attend. The early afternoon session starts at 12pm and the late afternoon session starts at 3pm. Please select the appropriate enrollment option as we need to accommodate sailors with an appropriate boat based on their size.
Enrollment in the Youth Sailing Camp for basic sailing skills is recommended. The basic course is offered on June 20 and July 18 at 9am.
CLSA is excited to continue hosting Family Fridays. Sailing offered for these events in 2026 will be slightly based on the location for each event. This event is perfect for parents with youth sailors to enjoy quality time together at the lake. This is a great time to come out and experience the joy of sailing one last time before we prepare the boats for the off-season.
We will have our club boats available when feasible, but other events will include cabin boat rides by fellow members.
Successful completion of this course will result in CLSA Certification, which allows members to sail the club small boats. Our course sessions will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Monday & Tuesday evenings over 3 weeks.
Monday, Aug 10 (Classroom)
Tuesday, Aug 11 (Classroom)
Monday, Aug 17 Tuesday, Aug 18 Monday, Aug 24
Tuesday, Aug 25
In partnership with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, CLSA will be hosting the Small Boat Introduction to Sailing classes at the Parnell Boat Access Area on Clinton Lake.
4:00pm - Cabin boats depart and begin to assemble at the docks.
5:00pm - Dock walk begins. Cabin boat owners welcome guests on their boats to show off their rides. A great opportunity to see different boats and meet new people.
6:30pm - Dinner!
+ Alcohol will not be provided. Water, lemonade, and some other soft drinks will be provided
7:41 pm - Sunset. Cabin boaters decorate their boats with festive lights and invite friends for an evening sail off the dock and a parade of lights in the darkness (no moonlight). Many cities around the world celebrate their own version of Venetian Night, modeled off the popular boat parades in Venice, Italy.
Laser Vs Sunfish!
This is event is a dedicated annual small boat club race for all CLSA member and visitors who are in good standing.
Save the date!
2026 brings the return of an old CLSA tradition for a cardboard boat regatta!
Help celebrate the back-to-school season with our treasured CLSA Pirate's Day featuring prizes, booty, and a pot luck feast, .
Materials are limited to corrugated cardboard, duct tape, and paint. Life jackets are mandatory even though the race will take place in shallow water with the CLSA Navy standing by to pull deserters who jump ship back to shore.
This is the CLSA championship of course racing.
This is the CLSA championship of distance racing.
Clinton Lake Sailing Association Fall Banquet and Business Meeting
Registration Deadline is Tuesday, November 3rd. Please RSVP today so we order the correct amount of food.
Sunday, November 8, 2026. Doors open at 5:00, dinner at 6:00, brief business meeting and annual awards to follow. 2027 CLSA Officers will be chosen by member vote at the business meeting. The slate of nominees will be emailed to all CLSA members; nominations may be made from the floor.
Members, please sign in to register for this event. Payment is required at time of registration. Please register as soon as possible to help us with food planning.
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