Gary Williamson has been sailing in the Summer Sailstice for more than 15 years! This year, he has posted his 2023 plans for some day sailing and an anchor-out. His homeport is the Presqu'ile Yacht Club near Brighton, Ontario. They are located in Presqu’ile Bay on Lake Ontario. The sailing club saw activities go dormant after its launch in 1942. But in the 1960s, a new generation of sailors has taken part in reviving the sailing scene there, of which Gary is a part of!
Back in 2014, Gary's goal was to race his boat more rather than just going out to watch regattas. In 2021, Gary's Sailstice plan was participating in the Kelly Trophy Race in Brighton, Ontario. In 2022, Gary planned a Shakedown cruise with other members of the Presqu'ile Yacht Club.
On Lake Erie, a neighboring Great Lake also has a group of 50 sailors who like to gather for fun sailing activities. Sail Erie that has participated in the Sailstice in years past. They sail out of Presque Isle Marina - very similarly named to Gary's home club, but on the neighboring lake. With Sail Erie In 2017, Carl E. Lupp planned a Sail Erie brunch raft up!
A smaller lake, Lake St. Clair that feeds from Lake Erie, also will have some Sailstice sailors this summer. Ashley Flintoff has planned a fun day of sailing with Detroit Yacht Club, DYC Summer Sailstice 2023. Ashley sails on a Pearson 37 out of DYC, SV Sirius. it will be the 2nd Annual Summer Sailstice event at DYC! Ashly writes, "Our goal is to introduce the joy of sailing to our members and the community. DYC boats will be paired with non-sailing or non-sailboat owning members and friends for a fun afternoon on the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. After the sail, we'll gather at the DYC for a barbeque. Sign up information coming soon. For more information, contact Ashley Flintoff at ashleysflintoff@gmail.com."
