Sailing Club, 1986 - 1994

So much do sailors love their sport of cool breezes, bright sunshine and crystal waters that even at Wesleyan, a green wonderland, interest has spawned a sailing club. It all started when Steve Chase, a junior transfer student from Springfield College, met Wesleyan's Adam Bowen earlier this semester and found that they had a common interest -sailing. The two skippers decided to feel out the campus for others with similar sailing interests and united with Don Tomes and Lisa Scuteri to form the IWU sailing club. "It's the first of its kind ever established here," said Chase. "The club is a neat experience for Wesleyan students and, so far, the response has been overwhelming." The club, which requires no previous experience in sailing, currently has 30 members, with about 50 percent being experienced sailors. Due to the recent planning and existence of the club, the fall weather has postponed any outings with the entire club until next spring. "We want to make a competitive collegiate team," said Chase, who plans to participate in the Midwest Collegiate Sailing Association. "Collegiate sailing is a highly tactical sport with many rules and requires much sailing skill." The design of the race courses are triangular to ensure that the sailor's skills are tested at different points of sail. The course is first into, then across, and finally down wind direction. A four-member team did compete in a Regatta series (14-foot craft) race at SIU, Oct. 25, with Wesleyan placing third. Individually, the duo of Tomes and Bowen finished second in the class A series. The club plans to practice at Lake Bloomington using craft belonging to the Illinois State University boat concession. At these practices, experienced sailors will educate new members on sailing techniques and safety factors. There is only a five dollar a semester membership fee, which includes all expenses for the member, but the club is not without its financial problems. With the low membership fee there aren't enough funds to purchase boats. The club plans to alleviate this problem with raffles, the first costing one dollar and offering Varnet sunglasses or a Casio watch to winners. Tickets can be purchased from club members. The club has also sought aid from the university, arguing that they are offering another selling point for the school since they give the school more character and the student body more opportunity, but thus far they have met with little result. -The Argus 10/31/1986

The last mention of the IWU Sailing Club is in the Student Senate meeting minutes of 2004.