Rookie Rally / Adult Learn to Race
Get started in sailboat racing or brush up 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.
- 7-9 pm, Mondays, May 12 – June 9, 2014
- Boat Ownership not required
- In-classroom instruction and on the water practice.
Register Now!
May 12th “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.
May 19th 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.
June 2nd 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.
June 9th 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 with membership. Contact us at (206) 789-1919 or office@cycseattle.org to learn about becoming a CYC Member.
Recommended textbooks:
Getting Started in Sailboat Racing by Adam Court and Richard Stearns
Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing by Dave Perry
Location:
All classroom sessions are held at the CYC clubhouse:
7755 Seaview Ave NW, Pier V, Seattle, WA, 98117
