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NSC Sail Challenge

Don has designed a sail challenge open for all sailboat classes and yes, kayaks are also included. The challenge is meant to challenge yourself and to give you some new options to visit. It is meant to be fun, and not a race. There are no prizes for the person/crew who finishes the challenge first, but there will be a commemorative something later this year (we are looking into options as we speak!)

The point is to get to know our stomping grounds better and to visit 10 destinations of the lake. All locations are doable in a day, so if you have a moment, pick one from the list and go for it. 

This page will tell you everything you need to know! If we forgot about anything, just send us an email and we’ll get back to you asap! 

The Destinations

Below are the then destinations you need to visit to complete the challenge. Click on the picture below or this link to open Google Earth with all destinations on the map.

  1. Sail around Bird Island directly north of the sailing club and back. Easy and a good start for the challenge. Stay well away from the west end due to submerged rocks. There are also a few shallow spots if you sail close to the island.
  2. Top of Greenwold inlet and back. A couple of shallow areas near the houses to avoid. Moderate to Hard
  3. Sail into the Lake Newell Resort marina through the entrance channel, tie up or sail within 10’ of the dock south of the launch ramp and back. Identify the entrance channel! Moderate to Hard
  4. Sail to Bantry Bay then through a channel separating the two bays into Greenwold inlet and back. Moderate to hard depending on wind direction.  There are at least two channels through the reeds.  Boats, with draft greater than 18” or when Lake Newell water levels have dropped, should not attempt this passage but sail to the waypoint in Bantry Bay then travel south around Shallow Point (stay 300 meters south of this point) and then up to the Greenwald Inlet waypoint as an acceptable alternative route. 
  5. Sail to Bantry Bay then through a channel separating the two bays into Greenwold inlet and back. Moderate to hard depending on wind direction. There are at least two channels through the reeds.
  6. Sail around Pelican Island and back. Moderate to hard. A fair distance away. Stay well away from the island as it is a bird sanctuary.
  7. Sail to South Sand Beach and back. Hard in the sense that it is pretty far away. Stay to the centre or more west side of the lake the further south you go as there are shallow areas on the east side of the lake in one or two spots.
  8. Sail into JackFish Bay. Moderate. Watch for shallow water.
  9. Sail to Midwest inlet on the west side of the lake. Moderate. Can be hard to find.
  10. Sail to Pumphouse Bay on the NW side, to a line directly south of the pump house and return. Easy to moderate depending on the day.

The Rules

  • Open to all sailboat classes (kayaks included), although cruisers with deep draft may have to use depth sounders or motor with centreboards up through some areas.
  • There is a time limit; this challenge starts in 2025 and you have two sailing seasons to accomplish this challenge.
  • If you start with one type of boat you must sail the whole challenge with the same boat type, eg. McGregor 26, catamaran.
  • Cruisers may motor for part of the way when navigation demands a safer approach around potential hazards, shallows or through narrow passage ways.
  • Participants are encouraged to use a log book, or GPS tracks to record their progress. Details entered should include the location traveled to and back, date, start time, wind direction and strength and any other pertinent comments.
  • The start for all destinations must be from the launch bay at the sailing club, Kinbrook boat ramp or the boat launch area beach. If you want to visit two destinations in one day, you will have to return to the launch area in between the two destinations.
  • Later this year, shirts or ballcaps will become available (at your own cost) as a memory of completing this challenge. To be eligible for this memory shirt/ballcap, you need to hand in proof of you reaching all destinations. Think of screen shots of Google maps which shows you at the destination, and/or a picture of you and your crew being there as well.

Tips and Strategies

  • Get started early in the day. Carry all necessary safety gear, rope, water, paddle, etc. Don’t forget water and lunch if required.
  • You know the weather can change really fast at the lake, so before you go, check the weather forecast.
  • Check the Google Earth File for waypoint locations and data for waypoint entries.
  • It will be up to the individual to determine if is safe enough to attempt any of the course challenges. When in doubt, don’t set off.
  • Difficulty rating for each destination is Easy, Moderate, Hard. Take that into account when you pick where to go.
  • Go together, find a friend or friends and make it a day or a race or anything else you think is fun 😊

And lastly…

Happy sailing everyone, hope to see you all over the lake! For fun and to motivate others, please send in your pictures of your trips.