Muscle Shoals Sailing Club

Had a great day out on the water.

It's well kept secret of the shoals. It's currently my favorite local spot with some pretty cool club members to boot. Not to mention the history of the club!

Sailing provides avenues that build community, build individuals, strengthen family and connect us to nature. Those connections help build a physical and emotional foundation that enables people to grow physically, emotionally, and mentally. With each new connection made on and off the water, new “roots” are created that nourish spirit, mind, and body are all nourished through the sailing experience. The Tennessee Valley sailing community is comprised of five sailing clubs located on the Tennessee River. Each club offers the opportunity to learn sailing skills and events that challenge those skills and foster sportsmanship. The sailing clubs include Muscle Shoals Sailing Club, Browns Creek Sailing Club, Privateer Yacht Club, Birmingham Sailing Club, and Pickwick Sailing & Cruising Association. They comprise the Dixie Lakes Region of US Sailing. Each of these venues is based on family values. Each year the organizations host a series of “club races” where members race against each other to see who is the fastest. Those races provide the perfect venue to improve sailing skills and learn the rules of the water. The year culminates with the Tennessee Valley Challenge Cup. The “Cup” race rotates between clubs each year, and any member can compete. This expands our horizons by learning new waters and meeting new people. Involving the entire family in this experience can add new connections to the family. Involvement in sailing provides a shared experience that allows individuals, parents, siblings, and extended family to connect and share meaningful experiences. Learning to sail or just getting out on the water is an opportunity for “quality time.” During that time, each person will be challenged with new obstacles and forced to dig deep to solve the problem. The opportunity to work as an individual, team, or family to achieve a common goal can provide new meaning to our relationships. Spending time outdoors and especially on the water encourages a solid connection to nature. Nature can generate many positive emotions, such as calmness, joy, and creativity, and can facilitate concentration. Studies show that being outdoors in nature and around water raises calmness, joy, and creativity and improves concentration.