NWSA

Commodore's Message

Commodore’s Corner

We are finally sailing as a club again! After a long spring, it is nice to be out sailing. A good day on the water is a great way to leave everything behind.

Lorraine Klabunde, our Fleet Captain, put together a couple of kick-off sails in June. They both went very well. Both skippers & crew had a great time and both asked her to plan more sails! Now with the opening of the Chicago harbors, Lorraine has put together a proposed schedule for the remainder of the season. The schedule and sign-up sheets are online.

We will need help with organizing the individual events. Please volunteer to be a cruise captain (the person who plans an individual sail). Contact Lorraine if you need assistance and we will get you in touch with someone to help you out. It is very rewarding to see people enjoying a great day of sailing due to your efforts.

On July 20th, we will be having our July Member Meeting online again. The May and June meetings both turned out very well. You can find the link at the top left side of this page or on our website.

Our 2020 membership directory is in process. We will send an email once completed to let everyone know when it’s ready. It will be released electronically, on the “members only” section of our web page.

I hope everyone had a great long 4^th of July weekend off to relax and enjoyed the start of summer!

-Marc Holdwick, 2020 Commodore

2019 Photo Contest Winners
Best Scenic | Best Boat Name | Best Old Salt | Best Group Shot | Best Sunset | Best Blooper | Best Under Sail

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.