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WHAT IS THE LAFAYETTE SAILING CLUB
                
The Lafayette Sailing Club (LSC) is a nonprofit social organization composed of individuals and families interested in sail boating & sail boarding. The club was originally formed in 1969 by a small

group of Purdue University and Lafayette area individuals interested in sailboat racing. LSC was incorporated in Indiana in 1970 and is registered with the Indiana Secretary of State as a not-for- profit

corporation.

  HISTORY OF THE LAFAYETTE SAILING CLUB

The idea for the Lafayette Sailing Club was sparked in March of 1968 at the Chicago Boat Show with the chance meeting of Bruce Liljedahl and John Sullivan for the first time and their discovery that

they were both from Lafayette, Indiana. They agreed then that they would try to organize a sailing club in Lafayette. John and Bruce pooled the known names of individuals in the Lafayette areas who

owned sailboats. Some of these people met for the first time to sail on September 22, 1968 at Raccoon Lake, Indiana. They also met again 4 weeks later at Virgil Drakes' cottage on Lake Freeman,

Monticello, Indiana.

In 1969, this informal group of Lafayette sailors met once to talk and 7 more time to sail together and sometimes race at Lake Freeman, Lake Schafer (Indiana), and Lake Michigan.

The Lafayette Sailing Club was "formally "organized on March 18, 1970 at a meeting held at the home of Bruce and Harriet Liljedahl in West Lafayette, Indiana. The activities in 1970 consisted of:

(1) a children's sailing school consisting of six Saturday morning sessions in April and May at Glen Fisher's place on Lake Freeman. John Sullivan was in charge of the school and had 10 children who

completed the school; and (2) a series of Sunday afternoon outings and races at Lakes Freeman, Mississinewa, Raccoon, and Maxintuckee, Indiana. The number of families participating averaged about

10, with the last race at Virgil Drake's cottage bringing out 12 boats and 14 families. All racing was as a mixed fleet using the Portsmouth Number Handicaps system. This system is still in use by the

club with modification.

1970 BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

Bruce Liljedahl,  Commodore
John Sullivan, Vice Commodore
Bob Shearon, Treasurer
Bob May, Secretary

Bill Burns, Glen Fisher,  Hugh McAdams and Dave Trout 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF LSC?

The purpose of LSC is:
1. to promote wider interest in sailing, water safety and seamanship;
2. to encourage knowledge and use of rules and courtesies of the nautical road;
3. to promote inter- and intra-club sailing competition;
4. to provide a forum for social contact among sailing enthusiasts. WHO RUNS THE CLUB ?

The membership runs the club via a 12- member Board of Governors consisting of 3 officers (Commodore, Vice Commodore and Secretary/Treasurer) and 9 other members. The Board is elected by 

and from the active club members at the annual fall banquet. Each member of the Board is elected to serve for a 3-year term. Terms over-lap to avoid a complete "turnover" each year.

WHAT KIND OF FACILITIES DOES LSC HAVE? 

The LSC maintains a private, enclosed, protected harbor with sailboat storage for active members, and a beach and grassed picnic area on the east shore of Lake Freeman, Monticello, Indiana,

directly adjacent to Pearson’s  Marina (approximately one mile north of the Oakdale Dam at the south end of the lake).

WHO BELONGS TO LSC? 

The number of members varies from year to year but averages around 100 memberships which include family, individual, and group (Purdue University Naval ROTC) memberships (approx. 270

individuals). The club membership is representative of the cross-section of the Greater Lafayette Area and is open to all individuals without regard to race, religion, sex or national origin. It includes

Purdue University faculty, staff and graduate students (approx. 50% of the memberships), business women and men, and professional and non-professional individuals. Members are from Lafayette,

West Lafayette, Monticello, Delphi, Buck Creek, Attica, Frankfort, Idaville, Wolcott, Wheatfield, Brookston and Battle Ground, Indiana. 

IS SAILBOAT OWNERSHIP NECESSARY  TO JOIN LSC

No.   The classes of sail craft owned by the membership is quite variable and includes sailboards,  catamarans, scows,  pleasure and racing dinghies (lateen, sloop and cat-rigged) as well as cruising

sloops.

About 10-15% of the membership consist of families or individuals who do not own a sailboat or sailboard. Some know absolutely nothing about sailing and join to learn.  While learning to sail they

enjoy taking advantage of the club's fellowship, social activities, and picnic and beach facilities. The club also has a small number of sailboats available for use by members who wish to lean more about

sailing. A small usage fee may be charged to help maintain these boats. 

WHAT ACTIVITIES DOES LSC SPONSOR? 

Historically, the club's backbone activity has been its sailboat racing . However, the club also offers basic sailing lessons to members, picnics and pleasure cruising activities . 

HOW IS MEMBERSHIP OBTAINED? 

Anyone interested in sailing may apply for membership by submitting a Membership Application Form to the Membership Chairman/Secretary-Treasurer. Acceptance is by a vote of the Board of

Governors.

WHAT TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP ARE THERE? 

The club offers 3 types of membership?

     Active (Voting/Full) Membership for sail craft (sailboat/sailboard) owners kept on club grounds.

     Active  (Voting/Full) Membership for sail craft (sailboat/sailboard) owners not kept on club grounds.

    Associate  (Non-Voting) Membership for non-sail craft owners.

All memberships include the family (spouse and unmarried dependents) of the "member".

INTERESTED IN JOINING?

Contact the Membership Chairman or one of the Board of Governors by mail or e-mail:

James Miller Membership Chairman, Lafayette Sailing Club, Inc.
4035 Dayton Road
Lafayette, IN 47905

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