Cowan Lake Sailing Association

History

In 1950, Cowan Creek was dammed, creating Cowan Lake which now has a surface area of 692 acre, averaging 35 feet deep. In addition to sailing, activities on the lake include fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. A group of sailors formed the club in 1954 for the purpose of holding regattas and promoting sailing. According to its constitution, the club's purpose is "to obtain, develop, and maintain adequate sailing facilities and accommodations at and upon Cowan Lake; to cooperate and counsel with the duly constituted authorities of the State of Ohio concerning the furtherance of the objects and interests of the Association and the betterment of Cowan Lake and its environs; to promote the sport of sailing, and to foster and emphasize a spirit of mutual helpfulness and courteous consideration among the members of the Association."

James Van Vost served as the club's first commodore. The club is administered by a 12-person Board of Governors that includes the Commodore, Vice-Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer, two past Commodores, and six members. The club's Permanent Race Committee consists of eighteen members. Today, the club has about 130 member families and over 250 boats owned by the membership.

Fleets

The club is primarily devoted to one-design racing in the following classes:

• Flying Scot
• Thistle
• Highlander
• Lightning
• MC Scow
• Snipe
• 420
• Laser
• Optimist

During the sailing season of April through October, CLSA runs 65 scheduled races on Sundays and national holidays plus approximately 30 special events and regattas. Regattas include the Annual Flying Scot Pig Roast Regatta. The club also fields a cruising fleet as well that includes the following classes: Capril 16.5, Force 5, Harpoon 5.2, Hobie 16, Luders 21, Vanguard 15, and Y Flyer.

Facilities

The club's facilities include eight acres owned by the membership overlooking the lake with a main clubhouse and a separate camping shelter house, camp grounds, boat and trailer storage area, parking, full kitchen and bathroom facilities with hot showers. In addition to 138 regular docks (most equipped with member-owned boat lifts), the membership, along with the state, has built two extensive rack and dock facilities for board boats and junior sailing prams. The membership owns six power vessels, including a race committee boat and a specialized rescue boat capable of rescuing and pumping out swamped craft.

References

References

1. "Cowan Lake Sailing Association website" [http://www.clsa.club www.clsa.club]
2. ''Cincinnati Enquirer''. "Inland sailors find relaxation, success on Cowan Lake." By John Johnston. http://www.enquirer.com/editions/1999/07/30/loc_inland_sailors_find.html
3. Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce http://business.wccchamber.com/list/member/cowan-lake-sailing-association-485
4. "US Sailing". "Regional Sailing Associations Committee".http://www.ussailing.org/about-us/committee-directory/regional-sailing-associations-committee/
5. [http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/Home/FishingSubhomePage/LakeMapLandingPage/CowanLakeFishingMap/tabid/19504/Default.aspx Cowan Lake Fishing Map] {{Webarchive. link. (2009-05-12 with area description)
6. "Sailing World Magazine" "The sailing's great, even when it's landlocked". By [[Gary Jobson]]. http://www.sailingworld.com/racing/sailings-great-even-when-its-landlocked
7. "Cincinnati Magazine". "Ohio, The Day Tripper: Cowan Lake State Park. Come Sail Away." By Alyssa Konermann.http://www.cincinnatimagazine.com/daytripperblog/day-tripping-cowan-lake-state-park/
8. "Cowan Lake Sailing Association website" http://www.clsa.club/
9. About CLSA http://www.clsa.club
10. Flying Scot Sailing Association http://www.fssa.com/node/3389
11. "Sailing on Cowan Lake with Martin and Julie". https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYMU3ULPWA4
12. "Highlander One Design Sailing".
13. "Cincinnati.com." "Sail away close to home. Sailing clubs in city cater to sea legs." By Sarah Knott. http://www2.cincinnati.com/freetime/051701_sailing.html {{Webarchive. link. (2015-02-21)
14. Flying Scot Association http://www.fssa.com/content/cowan-lake-pig-roast-regatta
15. "Cowan Lake Sailing Association website" http://www.clsa.club/