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.
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:
Five-Year Master Plan
23 Jan 2026
As we prepare for the 2026 SYC sailing season, we hope to be meeting with P+R staff for their support in moving forward with individual items in our latest proposed Five-Year Master Plan to improve our sailing facilities. It is intended to be a good balance of what we are both looking for and a path forward to a successful future for all of us. SYC's costs for some of these improvements will be substantial. Please consider making a contribution to help us with these facility improvements.
Topeka, Forbes Field
54°F - Smoke
Coming Events
- 3/1, Sailing Season Boat Storage Starts, SYC
- 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
SYC on Facebook
Mark's Racing Blog
Cold water survival
"It is impossible to get hypothermic in cold water unless you are wearing flotation, because without flotation – you won't live long enough to become hypothermic."
The rule
* 1 minute to get panic and breathing under control
* 10 minutes of physical ability to save yourself
* 1 hour of consciousness left
and that is with a life jacket on. It is a good rule to remember. Here is a good video by the USCG Auxiliary
Cold water Boot Camp: The 1 - 10- 1 rule