Anchorage Yacht Club has an active and welcoming sailing program designed for both experienced racers and sailors who have never raced before. Whether you enjoy competitive buoy racing or a more relaxed distance sail along the Lake Michigan shoreline, our racing program offers something for everyone.
Our goal is simple: get more boats out on the water and have fun sailing together. Many of our participants are highly experienced racers, while others are skippers trying racing for the very first time. No matter your experience level, you will find Anchorage Yacht Club members eager to help you learn the ropes and enjoy the sport of sailboat racing.
If you keep a sailboat at Waukegan Marina, we invite you to come sail with us.
Our popular Thursday Night Series runs from May 28, 2026 through September 10, 2026. These evening races are designed to be fun, relaxed, and social while still offering plenty of competitive sailing.
Races are held on buoy courses just outside the harbor and typically last about an hour, making them perfect for sailors who want to get out on the water after work.
Our Saturday Series offers a slightly different style of racing that many sailors describe as a leisurely cruising race.
· June – First Saturday
· July – Second Saturday (due to the July 4 holiday)
· August – First Saturday
· September – First Saturday
In these races, the fleet sails north toward Zion, turns around, and returns to Waukegan Harbor. Many skippers bring family members, friends, and marina neighbors along for the ride.
Boats are grouped into divisions based on their PHRF handicap rating, allowing different types and sizes of sailboats to race against each other fairly.
· Fast racing boats compete against similar boats
· Cruising sailboats compete against other cruising boats
· New racers can learn without feeling overwhelmed
No prior racing experience is required. If you have never raced before, our members will gladly help you learn everything from starting procedures to basic racing strategy.
The Anchorage Yacht Club racing program is about more than competition. It is about community, friendship, and shared experiences on the water.
At the end of the season we celebrate with our Annual Awards Banquet where final race scores are announced and awards are presented for the top finishers in each race series and each division.
If you have a sailboat at Waukegan Marina, we would love to see you on the starting line this season. Whether you are a seasoned racer or someone who has never entered a race before, Anchorage Yacht Club is a welcoming and supportive place to get involved.
For more information please contact:
John Simons
Sail Chairman – Anchorage Yacht Club
Email: john.simons@aycchicago.org
Cell: (847) 226-1070