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NorthWest Sailing Association

"Chicago area captains and who like to sail."

        What we are all about!

     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  attend  our  annual spring  sailing  classes.   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

See the current calendar of sailing events. Calendar of Events

• Social Activities
            April - Wine and Cheese -"Wish I Were Sailing" Party 

                    June - Father's Day Picnic and Sail

                    November - Annual Banquet 

• Sailing Classes

                 Informational Sail Class

                     For a new sailor, or those a little rusty on your sailing skills, our             
                     volunteer Captains will review the boats - where things are and
                     how  to work them. 

                     Next will be on-the-water sail to practice some sailing maneuvers.

• Social Dining

                After some sailing events, a dinner   experiences at local restaurants is open to all.  We also have an annual Father's Day picnic for the whole family. 

    Don't have a boat? That's OK since more than half of the members do not  have boats. That's the beauty of the club.  For the price of an annual membership one can sail as many times as the weather allows. It's the best sailing deal anywhere.

    For  those  persons who are not yet knowledgeable sailors, the club sponsors  classroom  lessons  in  May and  June,  again for a nominal fee which also includes annual membership. Members can participate in the lessons as a refresher for the cost of the book used during the lessons.

    Sound interesting? Attend a meeting and let us get you started on an activity  that  has  existed  for  thousands of years. Discover how friendly and sociable sailors are; how exciting it can be going five miles an hour powered by an unseen force. With the wind in your hair, the sun or stars in the sky, the beauty of nature, and the of the water passing by a well found vessel, the feeling is unique in all of sport and can become addictive. Before you know it, the arrival of the annual boat shows may bring an  anticipatory  chill to your  being with the  inescapable urge to spend your hard earned paycheck on a hole in the water into which you throw money. But it will be worth every penny!

To join click: Membership Page.

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