If you think you might be participating in the 2009 Lake Erie Solo Challenge, the GLSS would like to hear from you. Please take a moment to complete the online Challenge survey!

The documents for the 2009 Lake Erie Solo Challenge are posted in links below. They are all available as PDF files - if you don’t have Adobe Reader™ installed on your computer, it is available as a free download by clicking the button below.

The Challenge

True to the mandate stated in the GLSS Constitution, the Lake Erie Solo Challenge represents the latest effort to establish a solo sailing Challenge upon all of the Great Lakes. While Lake Erie may be the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, those very characteristics make for some extraordinarily difficult sailing at times. Winds can produce large, steep-faced waves seemingly in minutes, and summer thunderstorms can turn a placid body of water into a tempest just as quickly. Throw in in a high concentration of pleasure craft, fishermen, and fish nets interspersed with commercial freighter traffic, and the ingredients are in place for a Challenge on par with those of any other lake.

The Lake Erie Solo Challenge begins with a start off of North Cape Yacht Club near Monroe, MI and the fleet proceeds past Pelee Island, Ontario and eastward to a rounding of the Seneca Shoal Light near Buffalo, NY, thence on to a finish off of Presque Isle Harbor at Erie, PA. The course measures 312 statute miles, and in terms of comparison to the other GLSS Challenges, it ranks third behind the Trans Superior Solo, and the Chicago to Mackinac Island Solo Challenge. The 2009 event will mark the third running of the Challenge - come on down to Erie and see what all the excitement is about!

The results of the 2008 Lake Erie Solo Challenge have been posted. Congratulations to the successful finishers, and the Society welcomes five new lifetime members!  Race Chairman Paul Nickerson  has posted an excellent recap of the event on his website - be sure to check out the video at the end!

The Flash™ video below can be paused, muted or stopped using the controls beneath the video. If you don't have the viewer installed on your computer, you will be prompted to download it from Adobe. Please let me know if you have any problem viewing the video of the 2008 Lake Erie Solo Challenge. The images in the animation come courtesy of Ann and Wally McMinn, tunes from Jimmy Buffett (Banana Wind), Dire Straits (Singlehanded Sailor) and Lee Murdock (Safe in the Harbor). If your internet connection won't support the video, check out the images in the Photo Gallery. Enjoy!

2009 Lake Erie Solo Challenge Documents

Changes for 2009

Resumé and Solo Passage Documentation - Non GLSS Members Only

Non-GLSS members who wish to enter the Lake Erie Solo Challenge, must submit a Sailing Resumé and also a Solo Passage Documentation form to be considered for entry. Early submission of these documents will allow the GLSS Board of Directors ample time for review, and provide you with time to correct any deficiencies.

Discount pricing on flares, signal mirror, and container

As we have done in prior years, the GLSS is extending the offer to purchase the required flares, signal mirror, and a container for stowing them at a discounted price. If you are interested and would like to place an order, please refer to the online ordering information sheet.

Additional info at: