Crow’s Nest 04/03/25
in 1935, summer loving Lakers took it upon themselves to create a Club for sailors to enjoy for years to come. Commodore Ed Selby and many others founded the Club with the purpose of promoting sailing, competition and camaraderie amongst its members. Fast forward 90 years, we have a thriving membership, a fantastic looking commemorative burgee (thanks Andi Tisor) and a gorgeously updated website (thanks Stu Oltrogge). Our advances are not just technological, but in growth from a local sailing organization to a Nationally renowned yacht club, one that includes social engagement and community involvement which has expanded our membership far beyond what our founders imagined.
As we start 2025, we should revel in the tremendously successful year that was 2024. YOU, the volunteers of the Club, working with the Regatta Committee under the leadership of Commodore Casey Callanan, held the largest regatta in CLYC history. For those collective efforts, we have been presented the ILYA “Commodore Morgan Yacht Club of the Year Award”! This is the third time we’ve received this award since 2019! WE simply are the best! Congratulations ladies and gentlemen on your success!
The Board of Directors has held the Spring Meeting, cleared the cobwebs and winter fog off the books; now it’s time to do the same at YC Headquarters. Saturday, April 26th at 9am will be the annual clean up at the Club and we need all hands on deck. Cleaning supplies will be on hand. If you would like to work outside, please bring a rake, gloves and whatever else you think you may need. If you have any questions, please reach out to Margaret Oz – inremoz@aol.com
The membership section on the updated website is up and running waiting for you to clickity-click and pay your dues. No changes have been made to the cost of dues this year. Don’t forget when you’re paying your dues, there’s a section to make your tax deductible donation to the Clear Lake Sailing Center (consult your tax advisor). Any and all donations are greatly appreciated!
As a member of the CLYC you’re entitled to race in the current active fleets, attend the social gatherings planned for the season and, of course, the best perk of them all… You get the best Newsletter in town sent via email nearly every week! Go out to the website and register now!
The social events held at the CLYC are open to all of our members, youth and adult, but please be aware, various alcoholic beverages will be on site and parents should monitor those under 21. The social events held at private residences will be restricted to “Adults Only, 21+” unless that homeowner/association allows youth. I’ll communicate that in the Crows Nest prior to that event.
More detail will be provided in the near future, however, the Social Calendar stacks up like this:
- Saturday, June 7th @ the CLYC
- Saturday, June 13th @ the CLYC – “Wizard of Zenda” screening – hosted by Stu and Julie Oltrogge (light hors devours and drinks TBD)
- Saturday, June 21st @ the CLYC
- Saturday, July 19th @ the Marcus and Julie Lundberg residence
- Saturday, August 12th @ the Outing Club
- Sunday, August 31st @ CLYC (Awards Dinner – Annual Meeting/Changing of the Flag)
May 24th is the official Opening Day of CLYC racing. Our fleets are in great shape with consistent or growing numbers, which should lend to very competitive racing. The full schedule is posted on the website and I’ll highlight it here in the Crows Nest soon.
The Sailing Center will look a little different this year. Jake Sorensen takes over for longtime President Mark Ebeling who will remain on the board and will be assisted by Vice President Laura Tidrick. Jen Amble has volunteered to take over the Treasurer position from Andi Tisor who is now the CLYC Vice Commodore!
They also have an updated, sleek website and a streamline registration process! Be sure to get registered soon as classes will fill fast! https://www.clearlakesailingcenter.com/
A new skill based curriculum is being implemented to teach our youth not only the joy of sailing, but also equipping them with the skills necessary to continue developing that joy into a competitive arena. That’s the funnel folks, not just for our Club but for our beloved pastime. Thank you Sailing Center Board and everyone who gives to their cause, whether that be in donation of money and/or time!
After our tremendously successful ILYA Championship showing last year, the ILYA has entrusted us with hosting the 2025 ILYA E Scow Invitational. The Invite will be here July 10-13 and we’re expecting 40-50 boats from across the ILYA. The Regatta Committee has been working on this since last fall and already the pieces are falling into place; one of the many positives that came from the 2024 event… A blueprint to guide the regattas of the future, which of course means much less stress! Break out your calendars and mark down those dates to help the CLYC host yet another fantastic regatta!
51 days and counting until the official start of CLYC Season 90! Stay tuned for much more information and news in the coming weeks.
Until then friends.
Stay in the Clear Air!
Dan Allen
MC 2811 – Relentless
www.clyciowa.com
dsallen@cltel.net