Let the races begin
Yacht club hosts weekly competitions, By Stacy Maldonado SPARTA The Lake Mohawk Yacht Club has begun its annual sailing races. They take place each Sunday at 1 p.m. and three regattas are open to any class of sailboat. This summer the club will continue sponsoring its Junior Sailing Program for children ages 10 to 15. This five-week program begins Monday, June 28. It is composed of three levels of sailing ability. Registration is underway for Lake Mohawk members, and non-members, and will remain open until the classes fill, according to coordinating member John Incantalupo. “We still have some slots open, and there are always last minute changes, as students drop and we take from our waiting list.” According to member Chuck Chute, “The Junior Sailing Program is a cornerstone of our club. It represents the manifestation of our love for the sport, as well as our commitment to both the community of Lake Mohawk and the sport of sailing.” All head instructors are U.S. sailing certified. “We teach children the character and values associated with the sport,” said Chute. “It develops their knowledge, skills and self-confidence in rigging, sailing and even racing sailboats. It is transformative from beginning to end and they have a great deal of fun in the process.” Currently, the yacht club has a full fleet of Sunfish and Snipe sailboats to serve the three level of classes offered. Since 1933 Snipe sailing has been an organized activity on Lake Mohawk even though Lake Mohawk Yacht Club was not incorporated until 1938. The first sailing season in 1936 began on June 7 and ended on Sept. 27 a true sign that Lake Mohawk was a summer resort community. The schedule also included six novelty events and several moonlight or evening events with sailboats in tow and decorated with lanterns. There are other ways to get involved with the club as well. There are onshore activities like the Jimmy Buffet party, ladies craft night, and July 4 festivities. For more details about the yacht club, or to register a child for the Junior Sailing Club, visit http://sites.google.com/site/lakemohawkyachtclub/Home.