Welcome to the Texas District

Get into a Lightning!

The Lightning, a 700 pound 19 foot trailerable centerboard sloop, designed by Sparkman & Stephens as an affordable family day sailor and racing boat. She has evolved into one of the most popular and competitive one-design racing classes in the world. Awarded ISAF International Class status, the Lightning is sailed in more than 13 countries and in the Pan American Games. The class provides a professionally-managed association that is among the largest in all of one-design sailing.The Lightning's rig is simple, but offers sophisticated sail shape controls. The hull features a unique hard chine design that combines the stability that provides sail-carrying power, with flat bottom sections that promote planing. There's room in the cockpit for two couples or a family to daysail. The Lightning is easy to launch and light enough to trailer with ease. In the event of a capsize, she can be righted and sailed dry by her crew. Get "The Best of Both Worlds." Get into a Lightning!

Fleet 35

Lightning Fleet 35 on White Rock Lake was originally chartered in the early 40's making it the oldest Lightning fleet in Texas. The Corinthian Sailing Club is located on beautiful White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas. The club focuses on racing with well attended Sunday afternoon races, Wednesday night fun races, and annual club sponsored regattas held year round. The club is nationally known for its excellent sailors and fine race management. It also sponsors many social activities, teaches adult sailing and supports an active youth program.

Houston

Houston Yacht Club’s facilities rival the world’s leading Yacht Clubs. Texas’ “Oldest and Best” boasts a 27,000 square foot clubhouse, four acre property, two cranes and two easy to use launch ramps, immediate access to Galveston Bay, and year round sailing conditions. When it gets too cold in your part of the country come down to Texas and extend your racing season.

Fleet 435

Lightning Fleet 435 was recently reactivated at Rush Creek Yacht Club in Heath, Texas. At it's peak in the late 70’s fleet 435 had over 30 boats on the line every Sunday, and hosted the 1979 World & 1983 North American Championships. Fleet 435 is currently comprised of a good mix of old and new Lightning skippers and crew. The Fleet is looking for more skippers and crew and would welcome one and all to join us for racing or "getting to know you" joy rides. Rush Creek Yacht Club is the premier sailboat racing club located on Lake Ray Hubbard, in Heath, Texas. Whether you are new to sailing, or have extensive racing experience, RCYC provides organized sailboat racing for all ages, experience levels, across a wide variety of dinghy and keelboat classes.

2010 SW Circuit

Aroldo de Rienzo and John Womble from the Texas District finished 4^th and 5^th respectively in the 2010 Southwestern Lightning Circuit after the last stop at PYC in Pensacola, FL. Larry Frost from SYC sailed a very consistent series all year, and went on to win the Southwestern Circuit for his second time. Tommy Meric from SYC took home 2^nd place overall, and was the winner of the “Bill Buckles Road Warrior Cup” for attending all six of the circuit stops. Robert Bernhardt from BYC finished 3^rd overall.

Attendance was up in 2010 with skippers from Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Florida, Ohio, Mexico, and Australia.