News / Articles

New Update: The 2025 Fall Keelboat Regatta is set for December 6–7, and this year we’re adding a festive twist with our “Christmas Vacation Regatta” theme! Decorate your boat with lights, holly, or even an inflatable Santa to show your holiday spirit.

After Saturday’s racing, join us at the clubhouse for a GMSC Holiday Party with dinner, a cookie smackdown, a gear raffle, and plenty of good cheer. We’re also supporting the Roland Crisis Center—bring socks, gloves, coats, blankets, nonperishables, or toiletries to donate.

Not racing but want a party ticket? Contact Mary Michaels at marymichaels@me.com by December 4.

See the Notice of Race and details at gmsc.org.

Help us get the clubhouse and waterfront ready for winter! We’ll add PVC poles in the back bay, move the B-Dock plastic walkway, trim trees, and complete a boat/trailer survey. Wear work clothes and bring gloves—pizza and refreshments provided. Contact the Commodore for details.

Join us at the clubhouse after each keelboat race for snacks, sailing stories, and a quick “One Rule at a Time” seminar with Drew Daugherty. Racers, crew, members, and guests are all welcome. Want to help out? Volunteer to be a Social Host—club budget provided!
Read more for dates, details, and how to get involved.

Steady breezes and late-season color set the scene for the 2025 Fall Keelboat Regatta, December 6–7 at Grande Maumelle Sailing Club. Open to members and guests with valid PHRF ratings, this two-day event is part of GMSC’s year-round keelboat series.
Out-of-town sailors are welcome! Not sure of your rating? Contact the Regatta Chairperson for help. After Saturday’s racing, join us for a dinner and social at the clubhouse, followed by Sunday’s awards gathering.

See the Notice of Race and registration details at gmsc.org.

Central Arkansas Water (CAW) shared encouraging news about ongoing and upcoming projects at Lake Maumelle during a recent community meeting at WestRock Landing. Key updates include ramp reconstruction, dam and bridge repairs, and hydrilla control efforts—all aimed at improving safety and lake health.
CAW noted that these improvements are not expected to affect GMSC’s 2025–26 sailing season, and lake access will remain open during construction. However, sailors are encouraged to check the GMSC event calendar for the latest updates on specific regattas and programs.
Learn more about CAW’s stewardship efforts at gmsc.org/caw.

The new keelboat racing schedule is posted under the Racing menu with 11 race days plus the Fall and Spring Regattas. Since 1959, GMSC has offered year-round sailing on Lake Maumelle, with professional race management and full facilities for racers.
Keelboats from 20–30+ feet race under the PHRF system in two fleets: A Fleet for seasoned competitors and B Fleet, equally competitive but tailored to smaller cruising-style boats. There’s a fleet for every skill level!
📅 See the full schedule on GMSC.org.

Fresh copies of Central Arkansas Water’s Lake Rules & Stewardship Guide are now available at the clubhouse. The brochure highlights how we can all help protect Lake Maumelle—the source of drinking water for more than 500,000 people—and includes a detailed map of the lake, perfect for planning your next adventure. Pick one up, refresh yourself on the rules, and share them with your crew and guests. Supporting CAW’s stewardship keeps our lake clean, safe, and a great place to sail.

Mark your calendar! The GMSC Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2026, at Whole Hog Café on Cantrell Rd. Dinner (provided by the club) starts at 6:00 PM, followed by the meeting at 6:45 PM. Get the latest club updates, connect with fellow members, and vote on officers for 2026. Proxy voting details to follow.

Boats docked, sails down, crews ashore—then the dash begins! Our first-ever pursuit race sends A & B Fleet keelboats on a one-lap chase around Lake Maumelle, with staggered start times by handicap. Register by October 6 to get yours. See the Notice of Race for details.

GMSC’s annual Labor Day Regatta sets sail September 1 & 2, kicking off the fall racing season for members and guests. Racing begins at 1:00 PM each day (harbor gun), with Thistle, Y-Flyer, Flying Scot, Hobie 16, and Hobie 20 fleets taking to the line.
Want to race or crew? Reach out to your fleet captain to get connected. Race committee volunteers are also welcome—no experience needed, just a willingness to help.

After Saturday’s races, join us for the regatta dinner at the clubhouse. Members and guests are invited—please register in advance.

Full details on the GMSC Event Calendar.

GMSC’s Junior Learn to Sail program returned in early July with a full class of enthusiastic youth sailors. Designed for both beginners and returning skippers, this weeklong camp included everything from rigging and capsize drills to group sails and fun races. It’s more than just a class—it’s a foundation for future sailors and a reflection of GMSC’s commitment to growing a vibrant sailing community in Central Arkansas. Special thanks to all the instructors, safety crews, and parent volunteers who made the week a success!


Read more and view photos

With Lake Maumelle near normal levels, the final sections of the D-Dock floating walkway are now in place. This marks the completion of a major volunteer-led improvement project, making access to SOCO Harbor safer and more convenient. See full story and photo.

GMSC’s Junior Learn-to-Sail program returns June 9–13 for members’ children and grandchildren, ages 7–16. Led by certified instructor Gillian “Lou” Shapley, the course builds confidence and skills on Optis and Sunfish. Volunteers welcome!
📅 June 9–13 | 🕘 9 AM–1:30 PM
✉️ Contact Nicole at jlts@gmsc.org to register or volunteer.

The 2025 Spring Keelboat Regatta is set for April 12-13 at GMSC! This open regatta welcomes both club and visiting keelboats, with several out-of-town teams already registered. Due to low water levels, special launching provisions have been arranged with Westrock Marina.

All club members are encouraged to participate—either by racing or volunteering for the Race Committee. Saturday night’s Regatta Dinner is open to all participants and club members. Dinner registration is requested.

Check out the full Notice of Race (NOR) and event details on the GMSC Event Calendar. Read more for additional information and photos.

Help keep our waters clean! Join us on March 8, 2025, from 9 AM to 1 PM at WestRock Landing for the annual Lake Cleanup, sponsored by Central Arkansas Water. No boat? No problem! We’ll have boats available, and there are plenty of shore areas to tackle. Cleanup runs until noon, followed by lunch and raffle prizes for volunteers. Bring gloves, sturdy shoes, and weather-ready gear. If you use your boat, we’ll cover your launch fee.

Let’s make an impact—see you there! Read more for details.

Grande Maumelle Sailing Club (GMSC) has launched a new Crew List to connect skippers and crew. Go to GMSC.org, click on the Racing tab in the main menu, and select the Crew List to sign up or submit a Crew Wanted Request. Skippers log in to submit requests, while prospective crew sign up using a public form. As one member shared, “I’m new to sailing and want to crew. How do I connect with skippers?” The Crew List bridges the gap, turning curiosity into action. Visit the site today to get started!

On December 14, over 20 Grande Maumelle Sailing Club members gathered in rainy weather to install a silt fence at Kiko’s Corner, marking the start of its restoration. Armed with shovels and teamwork, the group completed this essential step to prevent soil erosion and protect the environment.

“This work party was a key milestone,” said Club Commodore Mary Michaels. “Our members’ dedication is inspiring.”

The silt fence is now securely in place, paving the way for the project’s next phase. Read more for additional details and photos!

The Grande Maumelle Sailing Club is gearing up for a critical project at Kiko’s Corner. Construction on the seawall is scheduled to start on January 2, 2025. Before work begins, the club is hosting a work party on Saturday, December 14, to prepare the area. Join us for an afternoon of teamwork to ensure this project starts on solid footing! Check the GMSC event calendar and this space for future updates. More...

Looking for the perfect holiday gift? The Grande Maumelle Sailing Club's exclusive apparel collection has you covered! CRS Apparel offers personalized club gear featuring our iconic logos, from cozy jackets to stylish hats, shirts, and vests.
Need a suggestion? Check out the classic "Adams Dad Hat"—my go-to favorite! Available in various colors with three logo options, it's a timeless staple for any sailor.
Order by midnight on December 11th  to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas. Enjoy $10 flat-rate shipping, or score free shipping on orders over $100.
Shop now and make this holiday season one to remember: Follow this link: https://stores.crsapparel.com/GMSC/shop/home

The Grande Maumelle Sailing Club is set to begin an important seawall project at Kiko’s Corner, with construction anticipated to start in mid-December once water levels allow access to the site. This long-awaited project is a significant undertaking, made possible by the dedication and expertise of club members and partners. More...

Last weekend, the Grande Maumelle Sailing Club hosted its highly anticipated Centerboard Championship regatta – our own spin on the Championship of Champions! This unique event brings together top winners from each fleet to face off for the ultimate title of overall centerboard champion.

The competition was fierce this year, with five outstanding teams racing in Y-Flyers. Our skilled competitors included:

Drew Daugherty and Nicole Claas Moore
Ben Guise and Mary Michaels
David and Jonathan Nigus
Yates Phillips and Jack Mulhollan
Roger O’Quin and Genie Jones
After four intense races, Drew Daugherty and Nicole Claas Moore claimed victory, earning the well-deserved title of Centerboard Champions!

Congratulations to our champions and a round of applause to all participants for making this event unforgettable. Here's to more thrilling races ahead!

The 2024-2025 Keelboat Racing Program at the Grand Maumelle Sailing Club kicks off on November 3rd, 2024, with exciting events planned for both seasoned racers and newcomers. Highlights include the Fall Keelboat Regatta on November 9-10, 2024, and the Spring Keelboat Regatta on April 13-14, 2025. Join us for competitive racing, legendary after-race socials, and a welcoming atmosphere for all sailors. [More]

On a Saturday morning, the Grande Maumelle Sailing Club (GMSC) was buzzing with excitement as members gathered for a work party to ready the club for the upcoming US Sailing's Championship of Champions. This prestigious event, held from October 2-6, 2024, will bring together top sailors from across the country, with competitors who have earned titles at national, North American, or World championships in their respective classes. Read More...

GMSC Members,

We are thrilled to be hosting U.S. Sailing’s Championship of Champions regatta from October 3-6, 2024, sailing in Y-Flyers. This prestigious event brings together national, international, and world champions, and it's an honor to be a part of it for the third time.

To make this event a success, we need your help! We’re hosting a pop-up work party this Saturday, September 14, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and we need as many volunteers as possible. We’ll be tidying up the clubhouse, washing and preparing Y-Flyers, moving boats to accommodate additional Y-Flyers, and completing some quick projects to spruce up the grounds.

Please join us this Saturday to show your club pride and help us get everything shipshape for the event.

The Grand Maumelle Sailing Club (GMSC) is excited to introduce our new online storefront. Managed by Coral Reef Sailing Apparel (CRS Apparel), the store offers a convenient way to purchase GMSC-branded apparel, including hats, shirts, jackets, and vests. Read More...

Our Spring Clean-up Day at the lake was a tremendous success. According to club historian Drew Daugherty, it was the second most successful clean-up day in our history, surpassed only by a frigid day that required defrosting beer beside the burn pile!

The dedicated crew prepared the Optis and Sunfish for summer, cleaned the grounds, dismantled derelict docks, filled two dumpsters with trash and debris, cleaned race committee boats, tidied Kiko’s corner, spread sand on the Hobie beach, and organized the clubhouse and junior shed. The teamwork and outstanding results were truly impressive!

Thank you to everyone who participated and made this event a great success.

We are excited to announce the MARKETPLACE on our website! Buy, sell, or trade sailing items with ease. Visit the Marketplace tab on the GMSC website and join our growing community of sailing enthusiasts.

Mark your calendars! Registration is now open for the 40th Annual Hawg Wild Regatta, which will be held on May 25th and May 26th. The regatta is open to Y-Flyers, Thistles, Flying Scots and Hobie Cats. The renowned Hawg Wild feast will be held at the Club House on Saturday night. A wide selection of Hawg Wild shirts is available; order your shirts early. Check out the full regatta details in the GMSC website events section.

Register for the 2024 Spring Keelboat Regatta!
We have an awesome throwback shirt available for preorder. Get your size submitted then get your payment to Cait by April 7th!