Join us and learn to race sailboats! Free with CYC membership.

Corinthian Yacht Club offers several ways to help you get started sailboat racing or brush up on your skills. The Rookie Rally Educational series provides a solid foundation of racing skills via classroom instruction, hands-on exercises, and on-the-water activities. Our educational committee members are also glad to meet with you to help you work towards your goals.

Classroom Sessions

Monday, May 15: “Welcome to the Racecourse”

Walk through a typical race, handicap racing, one design, distance vs buoy races, paperwork/organizational requirements, conduct of a race per the racing rules of sailing, reading sailing instructions, starting sequence, and basic rules.

Monday, May 22: Starting & Upwind Legs

Rules during starting, finding the favored end of the line, standard starting tactics, the advantaged side of the course vs the advantaged side of the starting line, rules when sailing to windward, and at the weather mark.

Monday, June 5: Finishing & Downwind Legs

Downwind angles, gybing on wind shifts, rules when sailing downwind, leeward mark rounding rules and tactics, favored end of the finish line, rules when finishing.

Monday, June 12: Boat Speed Basics

Foils above and below the water, balance, main, jib, and rig controls, windward sail trim in light, medium, and heavy air, downwind trim, how to read a tuning guide, basic tuning for keelboats.

On-the-water Training

We expect to have at least one on-the-water practice session at Shilshole at the end of the series. We also will provide you with the opportunity to come out and help with the Race Committee on a weeknight race, which puts you in the center of the action! You need to have appropriate sailing gear, including a PFD, and basic sailing skills. This is a great opportunity to expand your skill base, move to another position on the boat, or start racing your own boat!

 Chief instructor: Bruce Van Deventer

Bruce is an experienced keelboat and dinghy racer, competing in everything from Club races to international world championships. He is also an experienced race officer. He currently campaigns a 505 and a Melges 24.

 Rates: Free for CYC Members. Not a Member? Membership forms will be available for then.

 Recommended textbooks:

• Getting Started in Sailboat Racing by Adam Court and Richard Stearns
• Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing by Dave Perry

Both are available at Amazon.com

 Location:

All classroom sessions are held at the CYC clubhouse at Shilshole Marina: 7755 Seaview Avenue NW, Pier V, Seattle, WA, 98117