LAKE NORMAN SAILING: Sail club director: Experienced sailors trained to get out of water at first sign of storm

LAKE NORMAN, N.C. — Two dozen sailors who were dumped into Lake Norman by a storm Wednesday could be punished by the sail club.

[IMAGES: 26 rescued after sailboats capsize due to strong winds]

However, officials with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission said the sailing club will not be fined for the incident.

[FORECAST: Brief break from severe weather but more storms on the way]

During the storm, the lake churned more like the ocean, knocking the sailors into the water.

Sean O’Donnell, the director of the Lake Norman Community Sailing Club, said those sailors who braved the conditions have been sailing for years and they are trained to get off of the water at first sign of a storm.

O’Donnell said some of them didn’t immediately follow the rule.

"They just frankly stayed out a little too long,” O’Donnell said.

A half-dozen sailboats capsized and 26 boaters had to be rescued.

“We got everyone off water. That's the No. 1 priority,” O’Donnell said.

Channel 9 meteorologists tracked a major storm threat near the lake with about 35 to 45 mph winds.

O'Donnell said it was clear when the club went out, but the sailors were warned against sailing in winds above 12 mph.

“If we find some ignored rules and denied process, and they've admitted that, we'll suspend their pass for a couple of weeks,” O’Donnell said.

Officers with Cornelius lake patrol said they have had calls for help during pop-up storms all summer, but some boaters aren’t taking storms seriously.

"We need to be prepared for a storm," said Sgt. Matthew Figaro, with the Cornelius Lake Patrol. "When you see dark clouds, coolness, stillness, a storm is coming."

There were no injuries Wednesday at Lake Norman.

The boats had only minor damage.

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