May 13 (start): Rookie Rally Educational Series – Learn to Race!
Free to CYC members,
Free with you new membership or
$100 Non-members
Corinthian Yacht Club offers several ways to help you get started in 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!
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 series is a great opportunity to expand your skill base, move to another position on the boat, or start racing your own boat!
Location: CYC’s Shilshole clubhouse, 7755 Seaview Ave NW
Schedule: Classroom sessions will be held 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Monday nights in May and June 2013, as follows:
- May 13: “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 RRS. Reading Sailing Instructions. Starting sequence and basic rules
- May 20: Starting & upwind legs: Rules during starting. Finding the favored end. Standard starting tactics. The advantaged side of the course vs. advantaged side of starting line. Rules when sailing to windward, and at the weather mark.
- June 3: 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.
- June 10: Boatspeed Basics: Foils above and below 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.
Recommended Textbooks: 
- Getting Started in Sailboat Racing by Adam Court and Richard Stearns
- Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing by Dave Perry
Chief Instructor: Bruce Van Deventer is an experienced keelboat and dinghy racer who has competed in everything from club races to international world championships. He is also an experienced race officer. He currently campaigns a 5O5 and a Melges 24.
To register: Contact the CYC Office at 206-789-1919
