November Regattas Keep Racers on the Water
About the time the Halloween decorations come down, the midwinter yacht racing season begins in California. Lately, missives from organizers inviting us to join them for midwinter series have been sprinkling our inbox. Here we share with you a sampling.
Midwinter Series
Stephen Stickells, race captain for Sequoia Yacht Club puts it well: “Winter is right around the corner, and with it come some of the nicest sailing days on the Bay. Lighter winds and sunny skies make for great racing and even better times on the water. It’s the perfect season for anyone who’s been thinking about getting into racing — the courses are fun, the fleets are friendly, and there’s always room for new faces on the line.”
Some of our favorites kick off the month. Among them are Golden Gate YC’s Seaweed Soup Regatta on the Cityfront on Saturday, November 1. Sausalito YC’s Chili Midwinters will take to the Bay on Sunday the 2nd. Both series boast post-race complimentary comfort food.
“The Winter Series kicks off Saturday, November 8, and we’re looking for skippers and crew to join the fun,” says Stickells at SeqYC in Redwood City. “Whether you’re a seasoned racer or new to the start line, this is a great time to get out and keep the fun going through the cooler months.” Register on Jibeset.
Berkeley YC will run separate midwinter series on Saturdays and Sundays through February, starting on November 8-9. On midwinterless Sundays, they offer beer-can-style Chowder races.
Our friends at the Yacht Racing Association write, “Join us for the Doublehanded Midwinters Series. Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker divisions are available. One-Design fleets with four or more boats are welcome to join as well. We’ve even added a division for Multihulls this year.” The series will start on the Cityfront on November 16 and run one Sunday a month through February. Registration is open, and the NOR is posted here.
Island YC’s Island Days series will sail one Sunday a month on the Alameda Estuary, starting on November 16.
Our counterparts on San Diego Bay will be enjoying three helpings of Hot Rum on November 8 and 22, and December 6. See www.sdyc.org.
The midwinter series get their own section in the Calendar section of the November Latitude; don’t be afraid to check that out when the issue hits the docks on Halloween.
One-Offs
Thanks to Half Moon Bay YC, small-boat sailors need never say die. The Die Hard Regatta will sail in Pillar Point Harbor on Saturday, November 1.
Farther south, Mark Pastick of Elkhorn YC in Moss Landing writes, “Our fall tradition of Halloween/Day of the Dead-themed dinghy races continues. Bring your dinghy 14-ft and under or borrow one. Costumes encouraged. Multiple fleets for Lasers, Lidos, RS Quests, Walker Bays, El Toros, Fatty Knees, and more. A rowing competition takes place after the sailing is done.” The action will start with an 11 a.m. skippers meeting on November 1 on the club’s patio.
On Wednesday, November 19, a long-standing tradition, the Big Sail at St. Francis YC, will pit Stanford against Cal in the club’s J/22s. Expect cheerleaders and marching bands shoreside.
On Black Friday, November 28, Tiburon YC’s Black Friday tradition, the Wild Turkey Regatta, will provide an alternative to the frenzy of consumerism. Although it’s possible to spot some wild turkeys meandering around the neighborhood, no feathers were plucked to create the eponymous prize.
These are just a few highlights. Find more in our Calendar coming out online and in print on Friday, October 31.
The 2026 YRA Calendar Is Just Around the Corner
Here’s a reminder to all of you race organizers, event producers and yacht clubs to submit your 2026 race dates to Laura Muñoz at the YRA (email her at [email protected]). Sponsors, please get your ad copy in to [email protected] so that she can reserve your space and update your ad for Latitude 38’s 2026 Northern California YRA Racing Calendar. You can see your 2025 ad here: www.latitude38.com/issues/2025-yra-calendar-and-master-schedule. If you can’t find your club or class ad there, maybe you didn’t run one this year(!?). Contact Nicki to make sure you don’t miss a chance to promote your club, class or event for 2026.