Shared by Shep Zedaker, Guest Blogger, as Guest Blogger.

The Green Boating Center at Claytor Lake, first proposed in April 2010, is a joint venture between the Claytor Lake Sailing Association (CLSA), the Virginia Tech Sailing Club (VTSC) and the Claytor Lake State Park (CLSP).

Cutting the ribbon for the new Green Boating Center are Claytor Lake State Park Manager Chris Doss, with members of the Claytor Lake Sailing Association and the Virginia Tech Sailing Club.

Claytor Lake is a great place for sailing!

Sailboats in the marina at Claytor Lake State Park

The primary goal of the center is to provide sailing lessons to the public, focusing on youth. Sailing is a green, environmentally friendly, recreational activity that uses the power of the wind to propel watercraft. It is a marriage between nature and technology that captivates young people around the world who are interested in boating while reducing our carbon footprint. While viewed by many as elitist sport for the rich, in reality, sailing is much less expensive than any motor boating activity and can be enjoyed by people of all ages and incomes. 

The Claytor Lake State Park (CLSP), under the approval of Mr. Joe Elton, Director of State Parks, provided a location close to the area of good wind at Claytor for the construction of the center. Hundreds of hours of volunteer time from CLSA and VTSC members, heavy equipment and operators from CLSP and many thousands of dollars of donated materials from local and marine equipment merchants were required to construct the GBC. CLSA provides sailing instructors, who are all Virginia Boating Safety Instructors. The VTSC is providing the first boats to be used at the center for sail training (Club FJ’s) as well as a small boat launch ramp and chase boat skiff. Construction started in the spring of 2011, and the GBC was completed and dedicated June 9, 2012. CLSA offers sailing instruction (Sailing 101), through the CLSP volunteer program offerings.

CLSA is a not-for-profit recreational organization that exists to promote sailing on Claytor Lake. Initiated in 1998, at the 50th Anniversary Festival for Claytor Lake, the CLSA holds sailing races, social and overnight regattas, and an annual cruise to the Chesapeake Bay/Pamlico Sound. Sail boats of all sizes, from 8-foot long prams to 27-foot keelboats, participate in racing and social sailing. Membership is open to all, regardless of sailing skill or boat ownership.

The VTSC is a recreational sports club at Virginia Tech. Students, faculty, staff and associates can cruise and race VTSC boats. The VTSC also supports a college racing team, which participates in regattas throughout the eastern US as members of the Mid-Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association.

Claytor Lake State Park offers camping, cabins, a swimming beach, and lots more. For reservations click here, or call 1-800-933-PARK (7275)

LOCATION: From I-81, take Exit 101 (Claytor Lake) to State Park Road (State Route 660). State Park Road ends at the park's entrance. For a Google map, click here.

NOTE: Shep Zedaker is a member of the Claytor Lake Sailing Association and serves as a faculty advisor to the Virginia Tech Sailing Club.