Shawnee Yacht Club - SYC

Photo 15 by Berne Ketchum, Dave Johnson, Thad Allton (maybe a couple of others)

Dave Holzmeister & John Bock

Welcome to Shawnee Yacht Club

Since 1941, SYC has promoted sailing on Lake Shawnee for the recreational benefit of the local community. In addition to the opportunity to sail on beautiful Lake Shawnee, the club provides: free sailing lessons for those new to the sport, sailboats for members to use, a fenced boatyard with a boat ramp, several docks (provided by Parks and Rec), a storage shed for equipment, sailing activities, racing, and social gatherings.

Questions? - Come Join Us

Current News

Learn to Sail

23 Jun 2026

"Introduction to Sailing" sessions are held Wednesday evenings in June and August. Come join the fun. We provide the boats.

Garden Grooves

23 Jun 2026

Ken Waters

05 Apr 2026

Ken Waters, another veteran SYC member and past commodore, just passed on March 30, 2026.

Obituary

Topeka, Forbes Field

77°F - Partly Cloudy

Wind

ENE 5 mph

Humidity

62%

03:53 PM

Coming Events

Group Sailing
Sundays, 2:00pm-5:30pm
Wednesdays, 5:30pm-Sunset

7/4, 4th of July Activities, TBD, SYC
7/5, Sun Group Sailing, 2:00pm-5:30pm, SYC
8/2, Sun Group Sailing, 2:00pm-5:30pm, SYC
8/2, August Social, 5:30pm-10:00pm, SYC

SYC on Facebook

Shawnee Yacht Club - Topeka, Kansas

See SYC on Facebook

Mark's Racing Blog

Why you should sail the tack pointing closer to the mark

Theoretically it is the same distance from A to the mark But after four minutes the boat sailing the tack pointing closer to the mark actually is closer. When the wind shifts (not IF) our boat sailing away from the mark is stuck in left field while the boat that sailed the close tack has magically moved way up. She may look faster but it was geometry. Keep your bow on the tack pointing closer to the mark.