Regardless of the motivation, sailingis a fun—somewhat physically and oftenmentally challenging—sport that drawspeople of all ages to the lakes of thePrairie State...and to the Illinois River inthe Peoria area and Lake Michigan.Sailing involves harnessing the wind

to move in almost any direction youwant. A sail is nothing more than a pieceof fabric, held aloft by the mast, that actslike an airplane wing turned on its end.The sail creates areas of high and lowpressure that provides the power neededfor the boat to move through the water.Getting started is easy.

The allure of castingoff and spendinga day—or week orlifetime—sailing toexciting, romantic

destinations flows throughthe waters of Illinois.

The reasons people take to the openwater are as diverse as the types of ves-sels in which they sail. Some look for arelaxing means of escaping the monoto-ny and pressures of the work week. Oth-ers seek the freedom, adventure andexhilaration of exploring new and exoticenvironments.

Story By Kathy AndrewsPhotos By Adele Hodde

Racing withWhether for fun or competition,Prairie State sailing is catching on.

2 / OutdoorIllinois June 2005

Racing with

June 2005 OutdoorIllinois / 3

Start small and work your way up.Many people learn on a dingy, center-board or daysailing keelboat. Boatsunder 25 feet in length offer a simple,inexpensive way to become acquaintedwith the sport.After gaining experience on a small-

er craft, some people progress to thelarger vessels commonly seen on LakeMichigan and the open ocean. Cruisingkeelboats or yachts are typically 20 to60 feet in length and have an auxiliaryengine. Larger boats allow cruisers thespace to move around the deck andenhance opportunities to socialize on

the water. Depending on the model ortype of cruising boat, they can offerbelow-deck accommodations for sleep-ing, preparing meals and getting out ofthe weather.Summer sailing classes for children as

young as 6 offer the opportunity to learnthe sport (terminology, knot-tying, parts ofa sailboat, sailing techniques, reading the

theWindtheWind

weather, navigation and racing skills),gain confidence and an understanding ofthe importance of teamwork.Above all else, anyone considering

becoming a sailor (or boater) mustdevelop an understanding of water andequipment safety. A boating safety

Sailing is a family-based activity that can start with small craft operated by

youth taking summer lessons on a local lake, progressing to larger boats on Illinois’

many reservoirs, the Illinois River, Lake Michigan—and beyond. The Chicago skyline

provides a picturesque backdrop for the annual Verve Cup race.

4 / OutdoorIllinois June 2005

Sailing provides participants with adifferent perspective of the world. Thewhisper of wind on your face and mes-merizing splash of water against thehull of the boat can lull you into sereni-ty and help you forget the world. Slip-ping quietly across the water, withoutthe noise that often dampens conver-sation and frightens away wildlife, canbe a welcome change from traffic andcell phones. Working hand-in-handwith crew mates, friendships can bebuilt that will endure both the weatherand the test of time.Whether your view is of the Chicago

skyline, the banks of the Illinois Riveror the parks and residential areas adja-cent to a lake or reservoir, sailingopportunities exist in the Prairie State.Get onto the water and bring out youradventurous side.

course—learning about the rights-of-way rules, types of safety equipmentrequired for safe boat operation, distresssignals and more—is a small investmentof time that yields enormous benefitswhile on the water.After developing their sea legs and

gaining experience and confidence, many

sailors venture into racing. Local, nationaland international regattas take place onIllinois waters. Some races are organizedwith handicap standards to accommodatedifferences in boats. For extreme com-petitors, the Chicago Yacht Club, foundedin 1869, has hosted the Lake MichiganVerve Cup since 1964. Held in Augustand based from their headquarters at thefoot of Monroe Street along Lake ShoreDrive, the weekend-long regatta consistsof three courses with more than 200 com-petitors sailing in one-design boats, off-shore fleets and junior races.Not quite ready to set sail? Spread a

blanket under a tall oak tree on the bankof one of Illinois’ large lakes or reser-voirs, or the shores of Lake Michigan,for a becalmed view of colorful sailsworking the wind.

There are a variety of ways to learnto sail. For local sailing lessons,

check with a university, sailing associa-tion, aquatic center, park district, yachtclub, scouting organization or youthgroup. Also, from local chapters of theU.S. Power Squadron you can drawupon the vast experience of membersduring water outings conductedthroughout the year. For offshore sail-ing lessons, research chartered vaca-tions. A web search will reveal listingsfor local and exotic sailing information.

Another option is to hook up with afriend and learn the basics by crew-ing on their boat. Many sailors arewilling to take on an eager crewmember and show them the ropes.Also, visit local sailing and boatingshows to speak with exhibitors andattend educational seminars.

Boating safetycourses

I llinois law allows persons at least 12years of age and less than 18 years ofage to operate a motorboat only if theyhave in possession a valid Boating Edu-cation Certificate of Competency issuedby the Department of NaturalResources, or if they are accompaniedon the motorboat and under direct con-trol of a parent of guardian, or a personat least 18 years of age designated by aparent or guardian. The Boating Educa-tion Course consists of a minimum eighthours of instruction on the basics ofboating safety, equipment, navigation,registration and titling, emergency mea-sures and Illinois boating laws.

Many civic organizations, park dis-tricts, schools, the U.S. Coast GuardAuxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons andother interest groups sponsor boatingsafety classes throughout the state. Fora list of upcoming classes, visit www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/education/SAFETY/boat.htm or phone 1-800-832-2599.

Many of Illinois’ larger lakes and

reservoirs offer marinas where sailing

enthusiasts can dock their vessel, and

anyone can sit under the trees and

watch boats tack through the water.

For a different perspective on the

world, and a chance to step away from

the hectic work week, consider setting

sail on Illinois waters.