Lake Maumelle
Pisces 21 is sailing on Lake Maumelle with Pinnacle Mountain State Park in the background.
When people find out I have a sailboat, a predictable line of questioning follows: "Where do you keep your boat?" or "Where did you learn to sail?". And when I reply in Arkansas, I am not surprised to hear, " You are kidding me!" or " I didn't know you could sail in Arkansas." Of course, I feel obliged to start a conversation about my experience of sailing on Lake Maumelle. I find many people are curious about sailboats and are surprised to learn that Arkansas has plenty of beautiful lakes perfect for sailing.
Lake Maumelle is a hidden gem. Frequently overlooked, the lake is located only 12 miles northwest of Little Rock, Arkansas, and is a nature lover's paradise covering 14 square miles with 70 miles of shoreline. Central Arkansas Water controls the lake and regulates land development surrounding the lake to ensure water quality. Swimming is not allowed, which leaves the lake open to anglers, sailors, and small boaters who want to enjoy the peaceful surroundings. The lake provides large open waters for sailing club racing and championship regattas. Cruising sailors can spend a relaxing afternoon exploring islands and coves while enjoying unrestricted views of Pinnacle Mountain State Park to the East and the forest-covered mountains to the West.
There are two ways to access the main lake by boat. Westrock Landing is the only commercial marina offering launching ramps, fuel, a well-stocked store, and boat slip rental. Westrock Landing is the primary hub for fishing activities on the lake, but many sailors also use their facilities. The Grande Maumelle Sailing Club is a non-profit organization that promotes the sport of sailing. The club has extensive facilities to serve the needs of the members and guests, including a large clubhouse, wet and dry boat storage, boat launching ramps, and cranes to launch and maintain larger boats. The club offers beginning sailing programs for adults and youths and opportunities for seasoned sailors to sharpen their skills. GMSC runs a year-round sailboat racing program; class boats race in the summer and keelboats in winter. In addition to the active club racing program, GMSC hosts regional and national sailing events, attracting top sailors from around the county.
This website is a gallery of images showing sailing enthusiasts enjoying their sport. The photos tell stories about the sailors, their boats, and how they compete and relax on the water, but mainly it is about people just having fun.