Ed Bowen remembers as a youngster the good times he had on his dad’s sailboat on Lake Winnebago.


Sailboat on Lake Winnebago with a Wind Farm in the Distance.

It was the start of lifetime passion for Bowen, who is one of several families in Oshkosh and the surrounding area with multigenerational roots in sailing.

“I was sailing with my dad, Ted, in one of his earliest boats when I was only four or five years old,” Bowen said. “I sat there and learned sailing by watching my dad work. While growing up, one of the most fascinating things is how fast we could go.”

The 28-year-old Bowen has taken his sailing skills to Lake Winnebago for this weekend’s National Class A Scow Association Regatta hosted by the Oshkosh Yacht Club.

About 20 teams from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois are in the competition that started today and concludes Sunday. The 38-foot long A scow sailboats are racing on a 12-mile course around two buoys.

Bowen is a crewmember aboard an A Scow sailboat owned by multigenerational sailor Bill Wyman of Oshkosh. Bowen will work alongside others who enjoy the sport of sailing.

“The sailboat that I’m on is comprised almost entirely of second generation sailors and maybe some third generation,” Bowen said. “Absolutely, I’m glad that this sport was passed down to me. Sailing is such a tradition and a big part of the history of Oshkosh and Lake Winnebago. We’re all lucky that we get to enjoy it the way we do.”

Ted Bowen said sailing is a pastime that gives him opportunities to be with his son, Ed.

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