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Commodore's Corner

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DUES due date extended to 15 June. Applications and payment can be mailed to:

NWSA-Membership
P.O. Box 921
Arlington Heights, IL 60006

- 11 May board Zoom meeting (done!)
- 18 May Zoom meeting (well done, participants!)
- Skippers check-in: Look for a call from a board member!

Commodore's Message

Welcome to almost summer!

Normally our first sail on Lake Geneva would be ready by now. But things have been a little different this year. As a social sailing club, we haven’t had much of a chance to get together this year. But we are planning to do what we can!

We are in the process of contacting all of our boat owners for their status and sailing plans. While later than usual, a few boats have been launched.

Illinois is still partially shut down.
Chicago Harbors are shut down through the end of May.
Waukegan and North Point are running late but are opening.
Wisconsin harbors are opening too.

Currently Illinois doesn’t want more than two people per boat and Wisconsin is still recommending no more than families to go out.

When boats are ready, we would like to try to schedule some “flotilla” sailing. Couples, families or single handers can go out and enjoy a day of sailing as a group. We can wave, “race” and take some good pictures.

Later, as things improve and when captains are ready, we will try to start some small sails.

We held our May meeting online on the 18th with a quick introduction and then a presentation. After the presentation, we will took questions and visited each of our online friends in a quick round-table meet and greet. Bring your own cookies and I saw BYOB going as well - kudos!

Thank you to all who renewed so far. We would like to put together our 2020 directory soon. In order to do this, please send your renewals by June 15.

- Marc Holdwick, 2020 Commodore

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NWSA History

flag 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.