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Lake Jacomo


Since 1958

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ABOUT

 

Jacomo Sailing Club is located on beautiful Lake Jacomo near Lee's Summit and Blue Springs in Jackson County, Missouri. Education is the backbone of our organization; we offer many opportunities for people of all skill levels to learn, and allow people of all abilities to learn sailing through our adaptive sailing program. Through both recreational sailing and racing, we are proud to continue the legacy of the Jacomo Sailing Club, helping to build a love for sailing in the Kansas City area and beyond. We’d love to have you join us!


OUR MISSION

 

Empower a team of passionate people to improve their community by promoting sailing and education.


HISTORY

 

The Jacomo Sailing Club (JSC) was founded in 1958, a year before Lake Jacomo was completed. By late 1958, the dam was completed, the gravel roads were nearly done and the anchors were down in Sailboat Cove. The dry sail lot and the fishing docks were planned, but the lake was dry. The scheduled opening of Lake Jacomo was spring of 1960.

 

The founders of JSC, a group of 12 men, met in Kelly's Bar in Westport and planned the formation of the club. At that time there was no public sailing in the Kansas City area. Most of the large public lakes that now surround this area had not yet been built.

 

For many years, JSC was a social club that focused on racing. Today, as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, education is the backbone of what we do. Through both recreational sailing and racing, we are proud to continue the legacy of the Jacomo Sailing Club, helping to build a love for sailing in the Kansas City area and beyond.


COMMODORE PAUL ZAHNER

 

Paul_Zahner.jpeg

Bio:

Paul began sailing at age 13 in the Boy Scouts, earning multiple lakefront badges and discovering a lifelong passion for the water. Sailing continued through high school on Phantom and Venture 22 sailboats, and later at Oklahoma State University, where he joined the sailing club and gained experience on Lasers, Flying Scotts, 420s, and a Catalina 22. After earning a Master’s degree in Chemistry, he served in the Peace Corps, teaching Chemistry in Ghana, West Africa for two years.

 

Sailing:

Settling in Kansas City, Paul became active in the local sailing community, first on a Hobie 16 and later through Jacomo Sailing Club. He has contributed as a trainer, community liaison, and board member, helping launch programs such as the Rotary Youth Regatta, Sailing Experience sessions, and a Sea Scout ship to introduce youth to sailing. Over the years, he has supported boat acquisitions, including Melges 15s and a RIB rescue boat, and continues to mentor sailors of all levels.

 

Philosophy:

For Paul, sailing represents camaraderie, skill-building, and fun on the water. He believes the best clubs make sailing accessible to all and focus on shared experiences rather than formality.

 

Current Focus:

As Commodore, Paul is dedicated to strengthening the club community, encouraging training and racing, and ensuring that every member has the opportunity to enjoy the sport and the water.



JACOMO SAILING CLUB PAST COMMODORES


1959 John M. Cleary

1960 Clarke McCorkle

1961 Gordon Reabe

1962 William Wyant, Jr.

1963 Paul Vardeman

1964 Roger W. Brett

1965 William Collet

1966 W. R. Mullens

1967 Kenneth Bigus

1968 Roger Baker

1969 Ronald H. Ross

1970 Jay Kalin

1971 Donald H. Grimes

1972 William L. Ward

1974 Paul Gernhardt

1975 Joseph H. Dixon

1976 Ian M. McIntosh

1977 Bernard P. Kuse

1978 Wayne Nyberg

1979 H. Daniel Lewis, Jr.

1980 Donald J. Lock

1981 Ed Gammill

1982 Jim Slocomb

1983 Dave Blanding

1984 Dave Carlisle

1985 Robin Henry

1986 Buck Reabe

1987 John Kling

1988 Jim Slocomb

1989 Dave Feltman,Ian McIntosh

1990 Don MacClymont

1991 Kathie Blanding

1992 Bob Hyland

1993 Lynn Adkins

1994 Rick Blowers

1995 John Flannery

1996 Georgia Mueller

1997 Karen Hawkins

1998 Karen Hawkins

1999 Hal Wood

2000 Todd L. Pesek

2001 Todd L. Pesek

2002 Charles Brown

2003 Charles Brown

2004 Dan Lewis

2005 Dan Lewis

2006 Leonard Hock

2007 Leonard Hock

2008 Connie Henderson

2009 Julie Schliecher

2010 Alan Fransen

2011 John Kling

2012 John Kling

2013 Dwayne Boettcher

2014 Dave French

2015 Dave French

2016 Karen Hawkins

2017 John Hays

2018 John Hays

2019 Dave French

2020 Lance Thomas

2021 Lance Thomas

2022 Wes Ory

2023 Wes Ory

2024 Patrick Kershaw

2025 Patrick Kershaw

About us

The Jacomo Sailing Club (JSC) is a
not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation
composed of volunteer sailors.

JSC provides sailing for the community in
cooperation with

Jackson County Parks + Rec

Need help?

• Membership
• Lessons
• BoatShare
• Racing
• Calendar (Upcoming Events)
• Contact Us
Contact us

PO Box 7160
Lee's Summit, MO 64064-7160
United States of America

(816) 607-1807
info@jacomosailingclub.org


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