Grand Lake Sailing Club
Grand Lake o' the Cherokee
Grove, Oklahoma
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A Rich Tradition of Sailing for over 40 years!
Known as the Port Grove Sailing Club located near Sailboat Bridge at its inception in February 1962, Grand Lake Sailing Club, a members only club, was incorporated and renamed when it moved to its present location in Dilar Cove in August, 1972.
Current members who were part of that original group are Preston Pate, Jimmy Carter and Bill Burden.
Grand Lake Sailing Club has numerous traditions that continue today. The first Blessing of the Fleet was held in 1986. The tradition dates back to the Spanish/Portuguese sailors from the 16th century whose ships were blessed before going out to an uncertain and frightening sea at the beginning of the sailing season. In 1989, an invitation was issued to the whole Grand Lake community to join this inspirational event.
Second is the Die Hard Sail held on January 1 of each New Year. The first sail was in 1987. Many members consider it the best way to start a New Year ~~ “on the water with good friends!”
A very popular night sail, known as Moonlight Madness, takes place on a Saturday night in August nearest the full moon. Today, the sail course is from the mouth of Honey Creek to Two Tree Island and back. The first Moonlight Sail was in June, 1962 from Port Grove to Patricia Island, the northern end of the lake.
The Club sponsors 3 regattas the oldest of which is the Long Distance Classic (24 hrs Endurance Regatta) held for the first time on June 29-30 in 1963. It is thought to be the oldest long distance (100 mile) regatta on an inland lake. Open to keel boats, participation ranges from 20-35 boats each year. Today, there are two sailing distances allowed, the 100 mile for the larger and faster sailboats and 50 mile for the smaller and slower sailboats. This is a full weekend of sailing under a variety of conditions as the regatta starts on Saturday at 10am and ends on Sunday at 10 am.
In 1997, the first Carol Morton Regatta for Breast Cancer Awareness was held. Carol, an avid sailor, died in 1996 from breast cancer. To date over $60,000 has been donated to the Freeman Center in Joplin, MO and more recently to The Christian Medical Center in Grove, OK. The Center provides support for underinsured, uninsured and low-income women.
In 2007 for the first time, the Grand Cup will be organized by the Grand Lake Sailing Club and was held on April 28. The Grand Cup Regatta was started by the Grand Lake Yacht Squadron many years ago.
The current Commodore is Mike Mayer, a member since 1990. Most of the members come from the 4-state area of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The club has 86 slips for sailboats from 19 to 35 ft and a large dry storage area for day sailors. A large covered deck, clubhouse and bathhouse complete the amenities. The club has a full time gatekeeper on the premises.
Membership ranges from 100 to 125 members with the majority being regular members who own sailboats. There is an initiation fee plus yearly dues and slip fees. The club organizes a Spring and Fall racing series and holds monthly socials throughout the sailing season.
The club maintains its own website for the benefit of its members and other interested sailors.
The address is www.glsc.net and the email address is sailing101@glsc.net.
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