Paw Paw Lake Sailing Foundation

07/31/2026

⛵️ That’s a wrap on the 2026 Sailing School season!

Congratulations to all of our youth and adult sailors on completing another incredible summer on the water. Whether you were learning the basics or sharpening your skills, we hope you made lasting memories and friendships along the way.

A heartfelt thank you to our amazing instructors, volunteers, families, and staff for making this season such a success. We can’t wait to welcome back familiar faces—and meet many new ones—for another fantastic summer in 2027! 🌊☀️⚓️

07/28/2026

Session 2 of Youth Sailing is underway on Paw Paw Lake! Cheering on our students as they continue to sharpen their skills and bridge new friendships on the water! 💙⚓️

07/21/2026

⛵ Sailing families, keep the fun going after the final day of Session 2 Sailing School!

Join us for a Teen & Tween Scavenger Hunt and Campfire—the perfect way to celebrate an incredible week on the water with friends. Enjoy an evening of adventure, laughter, and s'mores as we wrap up another fantastic Sailing School session.

We can't wait to celebrate an amazing week of sailing with all of you! 🔥🌅

🔥🗺️ Calling all PPLYC Tweens & Teens!

Join us for our next Teens and Tweens Event on Friday, July 31, from 7:00–9:00 PM for an evening of adventure, laughter, and summer fun! We'll kick things off with a Scavenger Hunt, then gather around the campfire to relax and enjoy the evening with friends.

Be sure to register and prepay online to reserve your spot. We can't wait to see you there! 🌟🏕️

07/20/2026

Curious about the Paw Paw Lake Foundation and their efforts to keep our waters safe for sailing and activities? Check out the great work they are doing on Paw Paw Lake!

07/20/2026

⛵️ One Week to Go! 🌊

Session 2 of Youth & Adult Sailing School at Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club begins in just one week!

Whether you're looking to learn the basics, build your confidence on the water, or sharpen your sailing skills, there's still time to join us for an unforgettable week on the lake.

🌟 Registration is still open! Sign up online today and make the most of the final Sailing School session of the season. We can't wait to welcome you aboard! ⚓️

https://www.pplyc.org/sailing-school-classes

Send a message to learn more

07/14/2026

Team Winnebago has crossed the finish line in the 117th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac! ⛵️🎉

Congratulations to Team Pratt and the entire crew on an incredible accomplishment. We are proud to have this talented team representing the Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club. Their grit, determination, teamwork, and positive spirit were on full display from start to finish.

Way to go, Team Winnebago! Welcome home, and congratulations on another Mackinac Race in the books! 💙⚓

07/13/2026

Team Winnebago is making its way to the Mighty Mac! ⛵

Follow their progress on the Race Tracker and cheer them on as they take on the 333-mile journey from Chicago to Mackinac Island.

Go Team Winnebago! 💙

https://pro.yb.tl/chicagomac2026

07/08/2026

⛵ Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club Takes on the Mac! ⛵

What does it take to race 333 miles from Chicago to Mackinac Island in one of sailing’s most legendary challenges? Teamwork, preparation, endurance… and maybe a few sandwiches. 😉

This year, PPLYC’s own Stephen Pratt will compete in his 20th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, marking his 3rd year as Skipper and Person in Charge aboard Sailing Vessel Winnebago in the T10 Fleet.

Making this year even more special, it’s a true PPLYC family affair. Joining Stephen on the journey north are his wife Liisa, sons Leo and Aaron, Paw Paw Lake Sailing School coaches Patrick and Phillip Melhado, and longtime sailor Jon Crump serving as Reserve Person in Charge.

The crew will proudly race under the Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club burgee, representing our lake community on one of the biggest stages in sailing. 💙⛵

The Mac is no ordinary race. Over 260 boats will travel 333 miles across Lake Michigan, racing anywhere from 2–4 days using a Navy Watch system of 4 hours on and 4 hours off.

A few fun facts from aboard Winnebago:
🥪 70 pre-made sandwiches packed
🍎 Pretzel rods and apples ready to go
🧊 Frozen water bottles double as cooler ice and drinking water
🍻 The annual crew debate… how much beer is enough?
⛵ 7 sails onboard to adjust for every condition Lake Michigan delivers

Safety and preparation are key, with advanced navigation equipment, AIS tracking, and personal safety gear helping crews take on this incredible challenge.

Since 1898, the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust has been a Great Lakes tradition and is recognized as the world’s largest annual freshwater offshore sailing race.

The 2026 Race to Mackinac sets sail July 10 & 11. Join us in cheering on Stephen, crew Winnebago, and the PPLYC sailors as they chase the island! 🌊🏝️

📍 Follow the race tracker: https://bit.ly/4gpIlj7
📸 Instagram: https://bit.ly/4gTnswY
📫 Race updates: https://bit.ly/4wu1zci

07/07/2026

⛵ Your last chance to set sail this season! ⛵

The second session of Youth & Adult Sailing School begins the week of July 27th at Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club!

Whether you’re looking to sharpen your sailing skills, learn something new, or simply enjoy time on the water, our Sailing School is the perfect opportunity. Build confidence, make new friends, and experience sailing on one of Michigan’s most beautiful lakes. 🌊

Spots are filling quickly for our final session of the 2026 season, so don’t miss the boat!

Register online today and we’ll see you on the water! ⛵☀️

Learn to Sail this Summer at Paw Paw Lake Learn to Sail this Summer at Paw Paw Lake Gather your family and friends and join the Summer Sailing School held at Paw Paw Lake Yacht Club. The school is run by the Community Sailing Foundation at Paw Paw Lake and is open to the public. We are gearing up to...

07/07/2026

Sharing the Spirit of America Michigan. The public reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8, 2026, to commemorate the first public reading on July 8, 1776, by Colonel John Nixon, at exactly 6:00 pm EST.