Western Reserve Model Yacht Club preparing for new year of racing at SPIRE Academy
Apr. 5—The Western Reserve Model Yacht Club starts its 16th year of racing in Northeast Ohio on May 4 at SPIRE Academy in Geneva.
The club has previously sailed at Painesville Recreation Park and at the previous BSA Camp Stigwandish in Madison.
Radio control sailing is a worldwide sport that is identical to full scale sailboat racing, but in miniature, according to a news release. Races are run on ponds and small lakes, sailing around a set course marked by floating buoys.
The SPIRE pond is about 5 acres, and is located in front of the academy's facility, 5201 SPIRE Circle off Route 534.
WRMYC has about 20 members who live in a wide area around Northeast Ohio, according to the release. The competition is among amateurs — the boats are raced boat for boat, with no handicapping.
"We race toy boats for plaques and trophies — no gambling," club Commodore John Riley stated in the release. "But we do have two fleets — the Gold Fleet for the more experienced sailors, and the Silver Fleet for newer sailors. I am actually a new sailor — I just started last season."
Club members range in age up to well into their 80s, and about half of the club's members have never been on full scale sailboat, according to the release.
The club runs local competitions every Tuesday evening and two Saturday mornings a month through the May to October season. In addition, the club is hosting a Soling Regional Championship on Sept. 19-21 at SPIRE, where competitors are expected from as far as Texas and Florida, as well as from the Midwest.
To meet some of the Western Reserve Model Yacht club members, and see the boats up close and on the
pond if weather permits, those interested are invited to come to SPIRE on April 8 for the "SPIRE Solar Eclipse Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit the club's website at or call 440-478-8208.
