University of Iowa Sailing Club celebrates 50th anniversary

SOLON - A group of friends, young and old alike, gathered Sunday at Lake Macbride to spend time on the water celebrating the 50th anniversary of the club that connects them all.

The University of Iowa Sailing Club's weekend-long celebration ­- featuring races and social gatherings - for current and past members drew attendees from as far as New York and Oregon.

Established in 1965, the club has about 70 members, though at one point in its history, there were up to 600 members, said Kyle Williams, the club's commodore and a UI senior.

The club has a fleet of 55 boats and is run by UI students, though anyone in the area can become a member.

'These people were my family,” said Robin Torner of Iowa City, as she stood around reminiscing with other alumni Sunday. 'There have been a lot of challenges along the way for the club to survive this long.”

Torner, who compared the club's boathouse to Eden, said those challenges included budget and boathouse leasing issues, as well as issues with the lake itself. For instance, in the early 2000s, Lake Macbride was partially drained as part of a shoreline restoration project.

Williams said he did not know of many sailing opportunities in the area until he joined, and the club makes an effort to engage people in the craft long-term.

'We have a lot of people learn to sail here in Iowa and then take it somewhere,” Williams said, tossing in a story about a couple who sold their house and now sail around the world.

Williams said he enjoys reconnecting with past members and hanging out at the boathouse.

'It's definitely a home away from home,” Williams said. The club is run by students but while it is entirely student run,is open to anyone in the area.'It's great to interact with the public,” Williams said.

Bill Budelier of Iowa City is the longest consecutive member of the club, having participated every year since he joined in 1970.

'The club was a major part of their lives in their time here,” Budelier said of everyone who returned for the reunion. 'They made friends here.”

Budelier said in addition to the social aspect, the club fosters outdoor and mechanical skills.

'It was like we never left each other,” said Connie Kuntz-Thorsen, who traveled from New York to attend. The club has changed over time for the better, members added.

'It's an amazing change for the good,” said Bob Nelb of Midland, Mich.