Cover photo courtesy of Coeur d’Alene Sailing Club
Last summer, sailboat racing returned to the Lake City for the first time in over 20 years. Following that successful season of Sunday morning races off the beach at North Idaho College, sailing enthusiasts formed a club to promote the sport of sailing, foster camaraderie among members, and encourage responsible stewardship of the waters of Coeur d’Alene Lake. Members of the newly-formed Coeur d’Alene Sailing Club sail several types of dinghies, but primarily the Melges 15, a 2-person dinghy first launched in 2020 that garnered Sailing World “Boat of the Year” honors for the “fun factor” and “simple design.” The M15 sails beautifully in a light breeze, but really comes to life in 10-12 knots. There are currently four Melges 15s in the local fleet, but members anticipate seeing more M15 owners this summer.
Club members will start racing again next spring on Sunday mornings April through October. Sunday morning is an ideal time to sail, say club members, as consistent southerly winds from 8-10 knots can be counted on and it is early enough that the lake is still calm prior to the afternoon power boat traffic. In the spring and fall, the club is joined by Gonzaga Sailing Club and its four International 420 class sailboats. In addition to the Sunday racing program, the club is hosting a regatta May 17-18 with teams from throughout the region. Contact the Coeur d’Alene Sailing Club for more info or to find out how to join the club or take an M15 out for a test sail. The club is open to anyone willing to learn. More info at Cdasc.org.
