Cover photo courtesy of the Coeur d’Alene Sailing Club
A small but growing group of sailors is working to bring a familiar sight back to Lake Coeur d’Alene: colorful sails lining up for weekend races. Now in its second official year, the Coeur d’Alene Sailing Club is based off the beach in front of North Idaho College, where the club has an agreement with the college to rent beach space for boats during the summer season. The club formed with a clear mission—revive sailboat racing on the lake after what was once a thriving racing community faded away.
From mid-April through late October, weather permitting, club members race on Sunday mornings. Most of the fleet sails Melges 15s, a small, nimble two-person boat that can be launched directly from the beach. That beach-launch setup makes racing more accessible, eliminating the need for moorage at one of the area’s marinas.
The club will host its Spring Regatta on May 30-31, welcoming sailors with small boats who want to join the competition. Visiting boats from out of town are expected, along with a mix of local sailors and other small-boat classes. You don’t have to own a boat to become a member, though the club is always happy to see more sails on the water. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or simply curious about small-boat sailing on Lake Coeur d’Alene, the club hopes to see more people down at the beach this summer. Learn more about the club and the Spring Regatta at Cdasc.org.
