Commodore's Corner
Alan Veenstra, from the Chicago Sailing Association will be our guest speaker for the April club meeting on Monday, April 15th at 7:00 P.M. Alan will be presenting” Mooring, Anchoring, and Docking.”
Commodore's Message
April, 2019
After a long winter, spring is here. Last month was busy for the club. We have a lot of work getting the club ready for our upcoming sailing season.
First our Fleet Captain, Lorraine Klablunde hosted a meeting of the NWSA Skippers. It was a working meeting to discuss our upcoming sailing schedule. Lorraine has a great schedule put together. While most of the sails have Cruise Captains, we still need some more volunteers to have a full schedule. It may seem daunting to be a Cruise Captain, but it simply takes some basic organization. We also have many people who are willing to help anyone who volunteers. Consider signing up. You will find it to be a great experience!
We also had one more recruiting event this month. Volunteers John Morris, Mark Blodgett, Ted McClintic and the Shanafield’s put on a great booth at Crowley’s Yacht-A-Palooza. The turnout was good and we signed up a bunch of interested sailors. On April 6th, Larsen Marine will be hosting their annual open house. We have some volunteers for our booth there, but we still need a few more. Please contact our Membership Director Mark Blodgett if you can help. These open houses are always a lot of fun.
Finally we had our annual “I wish I were sailing” party. This year is was 50 degrees and sunny. Last year it snowed. Hopefully this is a sign of good weather for our 2019 sailing season. Our IWIS party was hosted by the Draver’s. Bill and Peggy put on another great party at their place. The turnout was great and everyone had a lot of fun.
On April 15th you have a choice. You can either celebrate Tax Day, or you can come to our April meeting. I know paying taxes is a lot of fun, but I think you might have a better time at the meeting.
—Marc Holdwick, Commodore
2018 Photo Contest Winners
Best Scenic | Best Boat Name | Best Old Salt | 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.
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