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Summer 2020 for the school posed many challenges with the Covid -19 pandemic. These challenges were met by the dedicated sailing instructors that helped carry out measures to ensure student safety. We were fortunate the sailing school was able to operate due to the inherent distancing of the sport. Students and parents alike were incredible following protocol. There was an above average student turnout considering the circumstances, which added to our 2020 success. Our imperfect weather posed issues since social distancing meant the indoor classroom wasn’t being used. All involved were extremely flexible when moving class start times or when postponement was necessary. Beyond the obstacles, instructors were forced to think creatively about games and class activities, which has inspired new ideas for next summer.

A successful season wouldn’t have been possible without our team of sailing instructors!

We entered 2020 with anticipation of a new and exciting season to start the decade. But then, with COVID-19 ramping up, limitations were put on group activities throughout the state and nobody knew what to expect going forward. We all retreated into a world of Zoom Meetings, mask wearing, and social distancing.

However, through the determination of our board and our members and a softening of restrictions, we were able to plan and execute a successful sailing season even though all social activities were essentially cancelled. The facilities remained open in a limited capacity.

As if the year could not get any more challenging, the weather decided to weigh in and force us to cancel Six regular racing days (Four due to too much wind and Two due to too little wind).

The regular sailing season had excellent participation with a total of 21 boats taking part throughout the year. Four in the Center Board Fleet, eleven in the Open Fleet, Six in the newly formed MC Fleet.

The Regatta was held on July 25 & 26. The racing participation was excellent with a total of 26 boats registered. Everybody was able to enjoy the event even though the Saturday night Banquet was cancelled and an outside social was held in its place. See PLYC Regatta under the Racing Info Tab for more information.

2020 also saw a change of leadership to the Pelican Lake Sailing School. Jeff Peltier stepped down from the position of Sailing School Director after 21 years in the role and turned the reins over to Evan Furr.  Evan did a wonderful job in this challenging COVID induced year, adapting new protocols to minimize risk for everybody involved. There were 38 students in all, which was a very good turnout for such a daunting year. Jeff will continue to provide guidance to the program as the Sailing School Chairman.

Two new members joined the PLYC Board in 2020, Evan Furr as Sailing School Director and Ryan Grindeland as Treasurer.

As we head into 2021, Paul Horstman will assume the Role of Commodore, and Evan Furr will take the Vice Commodore position.

2020 also saw the passing of two long time past PLYC members. Chuck Solum passed away on July 3, 2020 and Mike Ostbye passed away on October 24, 2020. Our condolences go out to their families.

At this time, we do not know what to expect in 2021, but with COVID-19 vaccines being administered and increasing optimism, we hope this season will get us closer to normal.

The new calendar has been posted assuming a full social and sailing season. Updates will be issued as new information becomes available.

Happy sailing in 2021.

July 28 was warm with plenty of sun and moderate breezes as the skippers and crews of 29 boats prepared to start the PLYC 2019 Regatta.  The Open Division was divided into three fleets.  There were 6 boats in the Center Board Fleet, 6 boats in the High DPN Fleet and another 6 boats in the Low DPN Fleet.  The first race in the series got off to a prompt start with westerly winds from 5 to 8 knots.  Another race was completed by lunch time.  A third race was completed after an “on the boat” lunch break.  During this final race of the day, the wind was turning lighter and variable testing the skipper’s and crew’s sailing skills.

Our Saturday night banquet was held at the Doug Burgum bungalow and catered by The Screaming Eagle from Pelican Rapids. There were approximately 110 people who enjoyed the festivities.  A posting of the current standings and a photo slide show added to lively discussions of the day’s sailing activities.  A few announcements and thank yous were offer by Vice-Commodore, Paul Horstmann, and Sailing School Director Jeff Peltier gave a recap of sailing school activities.

Sailors awoke to a Sunday morning forecast of light rain, but the consensus was to give it a try.  Before the start of the fourth race there was a good breeze with some gusts and spirits were high.  However, shortly after a few of the fleets had started a light rain started.  As the rain continued the wind subsided  leaving many expanses of near calm.  Light air sailing truly puts sailor’s skills to the test.  A majority of the boats were able to complete the race and the final race was canceled.

The completion of the regatta weekend was the award ceremonies at the clubhouse. Bob Leonard presided.   An unusual coincidence resulted in a tie for the number one position in all three fleets of the Open Division.  A coin toss decided the first and second place winners.  See below for the complete scoring of the regatta and other awards.  Congratulations to all skippers and crews.  We had 5 skippers from the twin cities area and thank them for their support of our event each year.

As with any regatta, there is a lot of planning and effort that goes into such an endeavor. The PLYC Board of Directors, John Butze (Commodore), Paul Horstmann (Vice Commodore) Jeff Peltier, Dick Chadinha, Bob Leonard, Brad Schlossman, Teri Lantz, Dan Sprouls, and Tom Stadum, as well as Anne Peltier started the planning process last fall.  Thanks to all these members and also to the numerous other club members that volunteered to procure supplies, set-up before, and clean up after the event.  Rhonda Loberg provided great assistance in getting breakfast and lunches for all the competitors.

A special thanks to Leah Kaspari (Burgum property manager) for her assistance in preparing the facility for the event and coordinating vendor set-up. We would like to extend a special thanks to Doug Burgum for the use of his bungalow for our Saturday night festivities again this year.

Race officials did a great job setting a competitive course in challenging conditions and running the races well.  Thanks to head judge Gary Ostbye and assistant race judges Chris Thysell, Dick Jacobson, Liz Deardorff and Teri Lantz.  Greg and Mary Hanson, Roger Stadum, and Mark Deardorff were in chase boats.  Photography was provided by Darcy Leonard and Anne Peltier.

As usual, sponsors play a big role in supporting the Regatta and again this year we had a generous group of sponsors and they are all listed to the right. Thank you sponsors for all you do for the regatta!

This summer PLYC is celebrating both the 50^th year of their annual regatta, formally known as the “Wallwork Regatta” and the 50^th anniversary of their existence on Pelican Lake. 

The regatta originated on Lake Melissa and was shared in the early years between Melissa, Cotton, Pelican, and Big Cormorant Lakes. This will be the 33rd year it has been on Pelican Lake and has been here exclusively since 2001. 

The original members of the Pelican Lake Yacht Club were Warren Diederich (Commodore), Dick Berg, John Berkey, Joe Burgum, Bob Cherry, Dale Haakenstad, Jim Houghton, Don Johnson, Duane Nagle, Bob Scheel, Bill Schlossman, Ed Simonson, Phil Smith and Les Wold.  

The Saturday night regatta banquet on July 26^th will feature some of the sailors of the past and well as early pictures and memorabilia.   To accommodate the larger than normal crowd, the banquette will be held at the Doug Burgum Bungalow, 51643 Pelican Point Dr.  If you would like to join in on that festivity or order a 50^th anniversary shirt with special logo contact Jeff Peltier peltier@plyc.info (701) 238-6270 by July 11^th.  More details of the regatta can be found at http://plyc.info/ 

3-5 p.m.  The sailing meet and greet takes place on the west end of Pelican Lake. Bring friends! Be sure to bring along your sailing word*.

6 p.m.  Enjoy a potluck picnic at the Yacht Club.  Brats (both regular and turkey) will be furnished, so just bring a side dish or dessert to share and beverage of your choice along with $5 per person to cover the cost of the meat.  Share stories of the day  and meet some of the  other sailors on our lake.

How Sail-Fest’s On-The-Water Meet and Greet Works 

This invite is accompanied with a sailing word. Bring the word while sailing on Saturday, June 21 from 3-5 p.m.

Sail the west end of the lake. Be sure to bring friends. Head towards other sailboats for the meet and greet. Hold up your sailing word for the other participants to see. Remember or write down the sailing words you see from other boats.

Back at the 6 p.m. picnic at the Club House, each sailing word you collect from the sailing meet & greet will be entered in your boat’s name into a drawing. We look forward to seeing you and your friends at Sail-Fest!

We tend to loose track of progress when it happens in small increments, so here is a picture of our 1st clubhouse in 1981 vs the current version after replacing the windows this summer.  Likewise the docks as they were in 1981, 2004, and now in 2011.