Are there ever any beginner races?

That's a pretty valid question....the answer is that they are all (except most of the long distance races) beginner races. Study the rules a little bit and at least have a good understanding for the standard right of way and mark rounding rules. Stay back a little bit during the starts until you are comfortable with the rules, starting sequence, and how to manuever your boat in tight quarters. Get a Rick White video or two (see the front page of this website)- highly suggest those. Sign up for a race and let folks know that you are a newbie. You'll find that we all pretty forgiving on the water. Ask questions and you'll likely get more advice than you can comprehend!

What Jake said.

Also, some regattas will have "B" or "C" fleets.

Open regattas will often have a high portsmouth class, the Hobie 14 fits, that races against each other.

Your best sources for advice and even spare parts will be at regattas.

Come on out!

I'm not sure where you are located, but there is going to be an excellent opportunity for new sailors/racers to work on their racing skills on July 27th and 28th in Northern California. Hobie Div. III and Fleet 2 are sponsoring a regatta at Buck's Lake and it is solely for new racers. Veteran skippers are encouraged to act as crew and help the new racers with the starting sequence, marks, rules, etc. Let me know if you need more details.



Tim Dry

http://www.catamaranracing.org

dry@source.net

As was mentioned before, most races allow anyone to participate that has at least basic understanding of sailing rules of the road (starbord/port, windward/leeward, etc.). Local "beer can" races are a hoot, as there are a handfull of various boats and plenty of room. The get togethers after the races are great sources of info. And the best part is you probably don't have to trailer your boat very far or spend an entire weekend at an event. Most local races are short, on a weeknight or weekend afternoon, and the racing isn't too serious.

And the other advice of hanging back a bit at crowded starts and rounding a mark wider than a tangled group of boats can be sage advice even for the seasoned racer!

The primary rule is that it is to try and avoid a collision, even if you have "right of way".

A quick read of the sailing rules of the road, and general racing orientation (course types, starting sequences, etc.) will help, and in the local race stuff, your competitors will be more than happy to offer advice and help!

So get out there and have some fun!

J

This is one of the most important posts I have seen it quite a while. In 1971 I showed up for a local race, a 12 year old kid with a sunfish. I figured out when the start was because I saw the boats heading for a hippity hop up wind. I spent the next 45 minutes trying to figure out how to get there and then proceeded to hit it and get tangled in the anchor line. When I got back to the beach the next 10 minutes were the deciding moments between becoming a sailor or finding another interest. The old guys on shore did not heckel me, they came over and complimented what a nice new boat I had. They then began to teach me. The bottom line is we need to get new people to races and not scare them off. What ideas are out there and how can we begin to build?

There are two distance races in Mississippi that are GREAT for beginners:



Slip to Ship, held Memorial Day (you missed it, sorry)

and

Island Hop, held weekend nearest to or on July 4 (July 6 this year). Ocean Springs Yacht Club, Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Contact Ronny Bond ronny.bond@usm.edu for details



sea ya

tami