RC Volunteers Get Educated

Volunteering for a race committee has many advantages: 1) You will learn a lot about racing and most likely improve your own performance; 2) It’s the ideal alternative if you’re not so keen on competitive racing but still want to be involved; 3) You give back to the sport you love.

A trio of opportunities to acquire or improve your race committee skills are coming up in February. The first two are US Sailing Race Management Training Seminars.

A one-day seminar taught by Bill Gage and Mike Gross will be held on February 11 at the Encinal YC. Newcomers and experienced race committee members are welcome. Topics will include objectives, responsibilities, sailing instructions, jobs, equipment, setting the course, starting system, starting penalties, before the start, during the race, finishing, and scoring. This seminar is already full, but you can get on the waiting list by emailing Larry Westland.

An Advanced Seminar presented by Bill Stump and John Siegel will be held on February 11-12 at the St. Francis YC. This seminar is for experienced race officers who would like to refresh and increase their knowledge of such topics as organizing an event, writing the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions, equipment, preparations, setting the starting line, setting the course, starting, finishing and scoring. To register, go to www.ussailing.org/Calendar and search Race Admin Training/Race Officer, Future Events.

Then on February 25-26, St. Francis YC will be holding a two-day Race Committee University from 9 a.m.-noon. On-the-water instruction will be included as well as classroom sessions, with every team member having a chance to perform each task. By the end of the weekend students should be able to participate in almost all aspects of race committee operations. Classes will include signal boat operations, seamanship, mark placement, and race committee shoreside & protest committee jury operations. Go here to link to the sign-up and info page.