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ABOUT

Jacomo Sailing Club is located on beautiful Lake Jacomo near Lee's Summit and Blue Springs, Missouri in Jackson County since 1958. Education is the backbone of our organization, and we offer many opportunities to learn, with something for everyone, including adaptive sailing. 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 PATRICK KERSHAW

 

Commodore Kershaw Pic2

Bio:

Patrick is a retired US Navy Captain, a retired engineer, and now, along with his wife Tina, an Eldercare Advisor helping families reduce the stress they encounter when caring for an aging loved one. His Navy career included service in nuclear submarines and in harbor protection from terrorist action. He commanded MIUWU 102 out of Spokane.


Sailing:

Patrick started sailing in 1980 as part of a college NROTC program, and his first temporary job after becoming an Ensign was OIC of Navy Sailing Yacht 4, “Cyane”, where he cruised offshore with midshipmen from schools without a sailing program. He did this for on summer before heading off to nuclear power training and submarines.


Although never far from sailing, the real passion for it started when stationed in Puget Sound. Patrick and Tina bought the Capri 30 “Greyhawk” and subsequently the Olson 30 “Surfer Girl” which they aggressively raced for 15 years. They transported Surfer Girl to regattas from San Diego to Victoria, BC for races on the Pacific coast. During this period Patrick also crewed on numerous yachts, from IOR 2-tons, to Ultralight Displacement Boats (ULDB) like Santa Cruz 50s and 52s, to a Tripp 40 and a Serendipity 44. He sailed the Swiftsure Lightship coastal race out of Victoria eight times and Whidbey Island Raceweek numerous times.

Patrick and Tina only started racing dinghies after joining Jacomo Sailing Club in 2018. They now own a Melges 15, “Surfer Girl”, in which the inland lakes teach them valuable lessons every spring and summer weekend.


Notable Races:

·        Class Winner Puget Sound Sailing Regatta and Puget Sound Sailing Championship

·        Race Wins at Olson 30 Nationals

·        First Overall at Everett Yacht Club’s Son of Pitch Regatta

·        First Overall at Sloop Tavern Yacht Club’s Blakely Rock Race.


Achievements:

Captain Kershaw's accomplishments both in the Navy and on the competitive sailing circuit are a testament to his skill and dedication. From commanding naval vessels to achieving remarkable victories in challenging races, his achievements reflect a lifetime commitment to the art of sailing.


Philosophy:

Patrick believes sailing represents the perfect blend of tradition, discipline, and adventure. He believes that the lessons learned at sea—whether in the heat of a regatta or during complex naval operations—shape not only sailors but leaders. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and a deep respect for the ocean.


Current Focus:

 When not on helping families a aging adults, Captain Kershaw remains deeply involved in the sailing community, mentoring new sailors and advocating for maritime education. His passion for the sea continues to drive him to seek new challenges, always with a keen eye on the horizon.



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