Tim Towle 87
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
02 Jun 2025

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

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Five-Year Master Plan
12 Apr 2025

SYC has presented Parks and Recreation with a Five-Year Master Plan for improving our sailing facilities. The plan aims to increase sailing activity on Lake Shawnee and get SYC back on a more sustainable footing. We are currently negotiating with P+R staff for their support in moving forward with individual items in the plan. SYC's costs for some of these improvements will be substantial. Please consider making a contribution to help us with these facility improvements.

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One of Our Own in The Top 100
02 Mar 2025

Former Commodore and current SYC Resident Agent Eric Kjorlie was featured in the 2nd quarter 2023 Top 100 Lawyers publication. 



Topeka, Forbes Field
95°F - Fair
Wind
S 15 G 22 mph
Humidity
43%
Heat Index
101°F
At
04:53 PM
Coming Events

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

  • 8/3, Sun Racing & Group Sailing, 2:00pm-5:30pm, SYC
  • 8/27, Last Wed Lessons, 5:30 pm-Sunset, SYC
  • 9/7, Sun Racing & Group Sailing, 2:00pm-5:30pm, SYC
  • 9/7, Fall Social, 5:30-10:00pm, SYC
Mark's Racing Blog
Beautiful Sailing Conditions Today!
We had beautiful sailing conditions today! Winds out of the (mostly) north at maybe 4 to 12 MPH. Except for the start of the third race. Five boats raced. First race. Tony got off the line well and picked all the right shifts. Leaving me with the not as desirable second choice. Tony lead the whole first lap but on the second upwind he let me get off to the side. Mistake. If boats are 100 yards apart, and the wind shifts 10 degrees, the boat on the shift side will gain a whopping 25 yards! I only needed about 4 boat lengths to be back in the game. In the second race, we were all going up the left side of the lake while the wind was slowly shifting right. As Tony reached the shore he had to tack out against the shift. Next, Doug had to do the same. I, however got really lucky. As I neared the shore, the wind continued to shift lifting me all the way up to the mark on a single tack. For the start of the third race there was zero wind. Race committee Don Towle blew the three minute horn while I was sitting directly behind the committee boat. At the two minute horn, I was still there. At the one minute horn I was still there. We were all on a port reach looking at the black water coming down the lake when the race started. Tony hit the lay line first with me just below him. This put him in a vulnerable position because with a lift he would over stand and with a knock he would have to tack again. There was a lift and I was able to sneak inside of him and round first. Many people think sailing is all luck or man vs. nature or some other esoteric idea. It's a geometry game.
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