Event Calendar

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• Thistle Thursday

  • Start
    Thu, April 30, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Thu, September 24, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    22 sessions
  • Location
    Mascoutin Launch

  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.

  

  
  

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• August - Small Boat Intro to Sailing Class

  • Start
    Mon, August 10, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Tue, August 25, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    Parnell Boat Access Area, Clinton Lake State Recreation Area

  Register

  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 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Monday & Tuesday evenings over 3 weeks.

  Class Schedule

  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.

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• CLSA Distance Race #4

  • When
    Sat, August 22, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Clinton Lake
  • Registered
    3 registrants

  Register

  This is event is an open club race for all CLSA members who are in good standing. 

  1) Registration in advance is necessary if you plan to race. Please register online so we have a head count for those attending and to notify those planning to attend of any potential changes.

  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. Race Committee will be monitoring VHF Channel 68 for any questions or concerns.  

  4) Anticipated race course information regarding direction and course length(full or half) will be announced in the reminder email sent, typically the evening before the event. Changes will be announced on the water via VHF 68.

  RC boat will be on the water by 9am to start the race(s) in front of marina at 9:30am.   

  Distance Racing Sailing Instructions

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• Venetian Night

  • When
    Sat, August 22, 2026
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    Mascoutin Boat Launch Area, Clinton Lake

  Register

  Join us for CLSA's classic Venetian Night celebration!  

  

  An Italian-theme dinner, and a night sail in boats decorated with lights.

  Location:  At the Mascoutin Boat Launch area, on the lawn near the west parking lot, 500 feet Northwest of the boat launch. 

  5:00pm - Cabin boats at the dock welcome guests on their boats to show off their colorfully decorated rides.    

  6:00pm - Dinner!  We will make pizzas using our super-fast portable pizza oven.  A variety of toppings will be available so you can design your own creation.  A green salad will be provided.  If you can, please bring a side dish or dessert to share.

  Alcohol will not be provided.  Water and soft drinks will be provided.

  7:41 pm - Sunset.  Cabin boats begin to head out for an evening sail and a parade of lights in the moonlight.  

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Laser/Sunfish Challenge

  • When
    Sun, August 23, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM
  • Location
    Parnell Boat Access Area
  • Registered
    11 registrants

  Register

  Calling all Laser/Sunfish sailors! Join us at CLSA for a fun afternoon where we award our annual Laser/Sunfish perpetual trophy to the winner. Meeting location is the Parnell Boat Access Area. We'll meet at 12noon and start racing around 1pm. Our club Lasers are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Owners of Sunfish/Lasers are encouraged to bring your own boat.   

  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 'Need a Boat' or 'Bringing my Own Boat' 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.

  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. 

  Members of the Laser/Sunfish Sailing group will receive an event announcement email.  Those who do not RSVP yes or no (see announcement email) may receive multiple announcement emails. 
  

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• CLSA Buoy Race #3

  • When
    Sat, August 29, 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Clinton Lake
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  CLSA Buoy Race Series is Back! 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 9am to start the race(s) in front of marina at 9:30am.  Racing will end and all buoys will be retrieved by noon. 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

  9:30am - First Warning Signal

  More races to follow

  11:30am - Latest Warning Signal

  noon - racing ends and all buoys removed from water

  
  

  Volunteers, please register for this event as a volunteer by clicking the 'register' button. 

  
  

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• Pirates' Day Cardboard Boat Race

  • When
    Sat, September 05, 2026
  • Location
    Clinton Lake

  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.

   

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• 2026 Thistle Painkiller Regatta

  • Start
    Sat, September 19, 2026
  •  
  • End
    Sun, September 20, 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    2 sessions
  • Location
    Clinton Lake - Mascoutin Boat Ramp and Pavillion

  Register

  CLSA and Thistle Fleet #66 are proud to sponsor the Painkiller Regatta.   We hope you'll join us for weekend of fun racing and friendship.    

  Notice of Race

  

  Please register if you plan to race.  

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• CLSA Annual Herding Cats

  • When
    Sat, October 03, 2026
  •  
    12:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    Clinton Lake Illinois

  Registration is closed

  Get your race on!

  This is 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.  

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• CLSA Fall Banquet and Business Meeting

  • When
    Sun, November 08, 2026
  •  
    5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Location
    Lake of the Woods Pavilion, 109 S. Lake of the Woods Rd, Mahomet, IL 61853

  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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