Vol. XII, Issue I, Spring/Summer 2019 • 1
TOURISM
TIMES
S ilAway by Pat White
ILLINOISouth Tourism is fortunate to have the Carlyle Sailing Association (CSA) located in our region at Eldon Hazlet State Park on Carlyle Lake. CSA is one of only four or five sailing associations in the United States. The next closest one is in Annapolis, MD. Their purpose is to encourage people to enjoy the sport of sailing through classes, social events, regattas, races and other activities.
CSA is not a private club, although they offer several levels of membership and most of the amenities of a Yacht Club without the exclusivity and high price tag. Only sailboats or paddle crafts (canoes, kayaks, etc.) are allowed in the harbor, as their main purpose is to teach and promote sailing. The Harbor facility can accommodate 280 boats in a “dry sail” format (kept on trailers), plus 100 beachcats. Besides the marina, CSA offers a wide range of activities for annual fee payers during the six-month season May through October. You don’t have to own a boat to learn to sail or enjoy many of the events and activities the Asso-
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ciation offers. Never sailed and not sure you’d like it? There’s a list of skippers on the website (www.csa-sailing.org) who will be happy to take you out on the lake. They are ready and willing to share the joy of sailing with you. The only thing you need are soft-soled shoes and sunscreen. A fleet of 25 boats are leased for activities, and CSA rents boats to qualified skippers for half or full days (i.e., 9:00am to 5:00pm) on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and Monday through Thursday by appointment. Reservations are encouraged, but not required. Check the website or call 314-3259283 for more information. continued on page 3
