Embo Bros. causeway 79
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
88°F - Partly Cloudy
Wind
SSW 10 mph
Humidity
59%
Heat Index
95°F
At
06:53 PM
Coming Events

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

  • 7/6, Sun Racing & Group Sailing, 2:00pm-5:30pm, SYC
  • 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
Mark's Racing Blog
Wednesday Evening "Race" Report
I usually think of a race as a speed event. The wind didn't blow today and the forecast was for no wind this evening so I told my grandson there wouldn't be any races today. But I went to the club for the fellowship anyway. Well Chuck and Doug showed up as did Don the race committee. So, inspite of no wind, we decided to try for a "race".

With about 30 seconds until the start, Chuck and Doug were coming in on starboard. I tacked in front of Chuck hoping to slow him down and take the start. Couldn't do it so I was about 5 seconds early. The HUGE advantage of winning the start is that you have first choice of which tack to be on and where to go for the best wind. Chuck had first choice and chose well. Doug had second choice and chose to follow Chuck. I had third choice. The windward mark was sitting in a calm spot with the breeze on both sides of it. I gambled the right side was as good as the left and so went that way. Not only was I wrong, but I had both boards up and so made no progress at all. Increasing my deficit, I rounded a distant third.

Down wind. Usually in a dying wind the boats ahead just keep getting further ahead. I tried to stay in the "stronger" part of the wind and jibed back and forth from broad reach to broad reach. Somehow I managed to narrow the gap on the other two boats.

Doug passed Chuck and rounded first. He and Chuck took the longer tack first toward the finish line. Normally this is the smart move. I gambled with a short tack away from the finish line into the stronger wind and then tacked for the finish line. It actually paid off! I passed Chuck and crossed the line only a few seconds behind Doug.
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