Commodore's Corner
Sign up for upcoming sailing events and practice what we've learned at the July club meeting.
Join us for our next club meeting on August 21, 2017.
Themed Sails Part-Three. Don't miss it!!
Commodore's Message
August 1, 2017
Ahoy Sailors,
THE SAILING SEASON CONTINUES!
This month I need to thank:
- Casey Bezec and Tony Campo, both past commodores, for providing their boats for the Kenosha sail. (See my write-up separately).
- Our Themed Sail team comprised of Chairman John Morris, Ken Butterly, John Pasch and Richard Reed. The first two presentations at our June and July meetings were a great success.
I want to share with the newer sailors how I applied both John’s and Ken’s second lesson.
Because I am still a new boat owner and captain, with a little more experience, I decided not to reef the sail this past weekend because the winds were very manageable. I did however decide to practice the “heave to” maneuver. Because the first lesson covered basic points of sail and knot tying, they were reinforced as we sailed this weekend. I realize that they will continue to be applied every time we take the boat onto the water.
As you are attending sailing events, please remember to send pictures to both Gayle for the communique and Peggy for the website.
Our next scheduled meeting will be held on Monday, August 21, 2017 and our next Board Meeting will be held on Monday, August 14, 2017 at the Palatine Library.
The “Across the Lake” sail is getting a good response. We now have 13 sailors signed up but only 2 boats at this time. We will need another boat to participate to accommodate the crew who are looking to attend. Captains, please consider if you would be available over the Labor Day weekend to join us in this sail.
We are looking forward to getting all of our sails in for the coming month and having warm breezes and smooth water under our keel.
Fair winds and smooth sailing,
Bill Draver
2017 Commodore
2016 Photo Contest Winners
Old Salt | Best Scenic | Best Under Sail |Best Group Shot | Best Sunset
NWSA History
Read a note written 1976 Commodore Pat Kellogg about the beginnings of NWSA.
Special thanks to Elmer and Joyce Hook for providing this wonderful look at the early days of the NWSA.
Read the accompanying letter.
Mission Statement
The NorthWest Sailing Association is an enthusiastic group of sailors living in and about Chicago's Northwest suburbs. The members share a quest for increased knowledge and improved seamanship in a spirit of camaraderie and fun.
Founded in 1974 by a small group of 25 sailors seeking others of similar interests, the Club's initial purpose was to exchange knowledge and experiences. In the course of the years hence, and continuing today, club members regularly sail together out of all major Chicago area harbors, on inland lakes surrounding Chicago, Wisconsin, and occasionally across Lake Michigan and back!
The high point of the summer sailing season, is our Door County / Wisconsin Sailing Weekend. Club members have organized charters in the Bahamas, Florida and other exotic locations, and will plan future charters to various prime sailing areas as the members interest dictates.
Who Belongs to NWSA?
Members include families, couples, singles - anyone interested in sailing; including skippers with large cruising boats or medium or small sailboats; even sailors with no boats. Members who don't know how to sail, but are interested in learning, may wish to crew with our experienced sailboat owners and gain valuable experience and knowledge of boat handling.
Ample opportunity to crew is available at each sailing event, and during the days between events with available skippers.
We Meet. . .
During the boating season, the NWSA sponsors sailing events in many of the major Chicago land lake, and Michigan harbors, as well as inland lakes. We have sponsored cruises in Wisconsin, - Door County, Racine and Lake Geneva; Indiana; Michigan and a Lake Michigan Crossing. Illinois: Waukegan, Monroe, Montrose, Winthrop, Pistakee Lake, Fox Lake; Blackwell Forest Preserve, Warrenville, Busse Woods, Elk Grove Village. Groups have chartered excursions in the Bahamas, Florida, and various prime sailing destinations.
Read more...