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Sail Fast, Live Slow: Wawasee Yacht Club
Sail Fast, Live Slow
at the Wawasee Yacht Club
by Mary Hursh | photos by Mike Deak
The Wawasee Yacht Club (WYC) is an organization focused on promoting the sport of sailboat racing and having fun while doing so! The club is located on the west side of Lake Wawasee where weekly races take place. In addition to sponsoring racing, the club also offers a popular junior sailing program, as well as a full social calendar.
Saturday mornings, along with the newer, high-performance I-20s. Then on Sunday mornings, the popular Lightnings and E scows race.
At the end of the season, winners in all fleets are recognized. A scoring system is applied at the end of racing, across all boats, to award the Cynthia’s Cup to the top performing sailor of the season. Eli Lilly donated the Cynthia’s Cup to the club in 1949.
Regattas
The club hosts large regattas on a consistent basis for on-lake and off-lake boats. The annual E Scow regatta is held in early June, and the classic Hoosier Regatta for the Lightning class is held in late fall. The club hosted the Sunfish Masters North Americans in 2020 and the I-20 National Championships in 2021. Club members also travel to other regattas across the country as well.
WYC History
The club began in 1935 when Joseph Plasket, Ed Dodez, Bryon McCammon, and Henry Wahl approached Charles Bishop at his boat livery on Lake Wawasee, asking if they could use his porch as headquarters for their sailing group. He agreed. The first Snipe regatta was hosted from there in 1938, and by 1939, club members (with the help of Eli Lilly) bought the current clubhouse at 6338 E. Trusdell Drive for $1,500. Over the years, renovations have allowed for a larger membership. Last year, after a membership-wide campaign, a new porch addition opened, allowing for seating of 99 people.
Its Racing Focus
Racing sailboats has been the focus of the club since its inception. There are currently four active classes racing on Saturday and Sunday mornings: the Sunfish class, one of the most popular sailboats, races on excellence in class. This program is for members and non-members, so watch the website (wawaseeyachtclub.com) for announcements starting next winter.
Social Calendar
Social chairpersons Erin Beesley and CJ Szeplaki have put together an active social calendar for members. Events include cocktail parties, an annual brunch, and the popular Poker Run—where costumed sailors pick up l0 cards at various on-water locations and bring their ‘best hand’ back to the club for prizes. The season ends with the final awards party at the club.
Sailing Lessons
In July, the WYC is hosting sailing lessons for beginner sailors (ages 8-13) and advanced sailors (13-16), led by area resident Jeff Herdrich. Beginners learn the parts of the boat and proper rigging, plus safety and sail trim and steering. The advanced sailors focus on sailing upwind, racing fundamentals, and teamwork on multi-crew boats. At the season’s end, an award is given for the best sailor and the sailor who demonstrates overall
Want To Join The Club?
Club membership information is available at wawaseeyachtclub.com, and racing updates and pictures can be found on the club’s Facebook page. Visitors are welcome to stop by the club (6338 E. Trusdell Drive) on weekends to see the facility, or reach out to any board member with questions. “Sail fast, live slow” is a favorite saying at the club!
FireworksKOSCIUSKO COUNTY
SATURDAY, JULY 2
LEESBURG Flotilla + Fireworks, Lake Tippecanoe
"Looney Tunes U.S.A.” flotilla begins at 1 p.m. Fireworks at 10:30 p.m., can be viewed from the lawn of Tippy Dance Hall on the south shore. ltpo.org
NORTH WEBSTER Webster Lake Fireworks
10 p.m. Can be viewed from the North Webster Town Park. lakewebster.net
SYRACUSE Lake Wawasee Fireworks
10:15 p.m. Fireworks launched from barges, synchronized with music broadcast on 103.5 FM. Watch from Oakwood Hotel or Wawasee Fishing Park near DNR office on southeast end of lake. Largest fireworks show in the community’s history.
WINONA LAKE Fireworks Festival
Symphony On The Lakes concert, “Salute to America,” 8 p.m. on the Tabernacle Lawn, followed by fireworks over Winona Lake at 10 p.m. 574.268.9888 villageatwinona.com
WARSAW Chapman Lake Fireworks
10-11p.m. Fourth of July show begins at dusk. chapmanlake.com
MONDAY, JULY 4
SYRACUSE Syracuse Lake Fireworks
10:15 p.m.-11:45 p.m. Fireworks launched from barges. Watch from Lakeside Park, 1013 N. Long Drive.
PIERCETON
Lake Sechrist on the Barbee Chain of Lakes. For date, time, and details, visit barbeelakes.org
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