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.
Ken Waters
05 Apr 2026
Pat Salsbury
13 Mar 2026
SYC Annual Business Meeting
12 Feb 2026
The SYC annual business meeting was held February 1st, 2026, at 2:30pm over Zoom. Following are some highlights:
- Board members elected:
- Rocky Bartlow, Commodore
- Brett Bitner, Vice-Commodore
- Mark Marling, Treasurer
- Irene Haws, Secretary
- Richard Stewart, Governor at large
- Eddie Penner, Governor-Legal
- Mike Gorman, Governor-Grounds
- Josh Harsch, Governor-Social media
- Jim Tompkins, Past Commodore
- Boat storage fee of $100/year rather than separate fees for summer and winter.
- Sailing lessons will be the same as last year except no July session, just June and August monthly sessions of 4 lessons each on Wednesday evenings scheduled through Parks & Rec.
- There will be 3 socials: The Spring Breakfast on May 2nd, 4th of July, and a fall social on September 6th.
- We will be working with Parks & Rec to gain support for our new 5 Year Master Plan to improve the facilities.
For SYC members only:
Topeka, Forbes Field
59°F - Fair
Coming Events
- 5/2, Spring Social, Breakfast, 8:00am, SYC
- 5/2, Spring Work Day, 10:00am, SYC
- 6/3, First Wed Lessons & Group Sailing, 5:30 pm-Sunset, SYC
- 6/7, First Sun Group Sailing, 2:00pm-5:30pm, SYC
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Racing Blog
Defining Moment
Everything you do before this moment is preparation for it. Everything after it is in response to it. Understanding the importance of it gives meaning and direction to what you should be doing on the water. I've told you before about leverage, about the advantage of being on the correct tack, and about leading into the shift. The first shift after the start is the "defining moment" because it has all these. And it is the first shift.
Why should you look at the weather map?
Why should you be on the water early?
Why should you check out the lake geography?
Why should you check out the starting line bias?
Why must you have a great start?
All so you can lead into the first shift.
Hit the first shift first and everyone else is playing catch up. As you will be if its not you.
OK you missed it. Now what?
Get on the correct tack.
Get in the power.
Try to leverage for the next shift.
Hope the leader makes a mistake.