Sail Away with the Carlyle Sailing Association

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 Association 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 314-325- 9283 for more information.

Members enjoy a lot of benefits like great racing, social activities, free pool access and free camping, as well as the new three hour introductory sailing course.

Families are discovering the benefits of sailing, also, judging by the growth of CSA’s Junior programs. They hire a Junior Director each summer and have added a Kinder Camp for ages 5 – 7, in addition to the weeklong Junior Sailing Camp for ages 10- 16. The classes and camps incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lessons in a fun and exciting way. “Sailing is a walking science class,” said longtime CSA member and Vice Chairman of the Board, Ted Beier. “It has lessons in wind, weather, hydraulics, water quality and so much more. ”Parents whose children are learning to sail have noted an increase in their sons’ and daughters’ self-confidence, self-reliance and sense of responsibility,” Beier added.

Hooked yet? For more information go to www.csa-sailing. org, Facebook or call 314-325- 9283 where actual people answer the phone! CSA is located at Eldon Hazlet State Park off Hwy 127 north of Carlyle. Follow the signs inside the park.

Although some activities require a membership, non-members can often “pay as you go.” Everything else is provided. Associate Membership is available for anyone wanting to “test the waters” as it were. According to Beier, 80 – 90 people take advantage of this option every year. The majority renews annually, and 30% or so end up buying a boat. There’s something magical and peaceful about being on the water powered only by the wind and your skill. It gets into your blood.