FunSails

In addition to its racing series, Columbia Basin Sailing Club holds fun sailing events on Lake Sacajawea on the Snake River, and Lake Wallula, on the Columbia River. These events are generally social gatherings that include a picnic, dining at a local restaurant or at the club's unofficial club house, "The Roadhouse", in Burbank, WA. The schedule of fun sails for 2010 is shown below and include the Mexican Downriver, Bateman Island, and Fishhook Park events.

Mexican Downriver

The Mexican Downriver event begins at Leslie Groves Park in Richland, WA. Everyone then sails down the Columbia River to Columbia Park in Kennewick, WA. Bridge piers, islands, currents, sand bars, and shifting winds all come into play in navigating downriver, not withstanding the water ballons launched between boats. The Mexican part of the event comes after the sailing, when all skippers and crews join up at a local restaurant for Mexican cusine. Contact: Club Commodore

Fishhook Park

Fishhook Park is located on Lake Sacajawea on the Snake River upstream from Charbonneau Park. Like Charbonneau Park, Fishhook has overnight camping, boat launch facilities, picnic areas, and play structures, but offers no marina services. This event is an ideal opportunity for family sailing, club socializing, and escaping the hot Columbia Basin summer days by being on the water. This is the one event where swim ladders are more valuable than proper mast rake. Whereas Fishhook Park is surrounded by apple orchards, there's not a restaurant anywhere near, making barbecue the food of choice. Contact: Club Commodore

Bateman Island

Bateman Island is located on Lake Wallula, on the Columbia River at the confluence of the Yakama and Columbia Rivers. A bronze statue of Sacajawea overlooks the island, marking the farthest point that Lewis and Clark traveled up the Columbia River. These evening events are popular opportunities for club members to sail midweek. Boats are launched from the marina at the west end of Columbia Park. The island offers protection for the marina from the swift channel currents of the Columbia River; where the river depths can vary rapidly depending on the upstream and downstream dam operations. Sailing near the island can be challenging because of the shifting winds, current channels, and confluence waters. After-sailing activities typically involve dinning at one of the restaurants overlooking the island. The club occasionally lucks into dinner discounts for providing sailing entertainment to the deck patrons. Contact: Club Commodore