Racing into September

On This Week’s To Do List

Entries for the Rolex Big Boat Series will close at 9 p.m. this Thursday, August 31. The hosts promise “epic conditions over four days of racing, dynamic racecourses managed by a world-class race committee and memorable post-racing parties hosted by St. Francis Yacht Club. Competitors and spectators converge on San Francisco Bay September 13-17, 2023, to enjoy this second-to-none racing destination.” RBBS deadlines and contacts:

• August 31: Entries Close. Register on Yachtscoring.
• September 1: Rating Certificates due to [email protected].
• September 7: Crew List due here.
• Thursday the 14th Rolex Owners Dinner RSVP: Call (415) 563-6363
• Saturday the 16th Crew Dinner RSVP: Call (415) 563-6363

Labor Day Weekend Regattas

The swan song of summer, the Jazz Cup is one last downwind run to a party at a warm destination. South Beach YC and Benicia YC host the event this Saturday, with SBYC sending racers off from north of Treasure Island and Benicia receiving the sailors and feting them with music, dinner, dancing and awards. A possible fly in the ointment this year: the complete closure of westbound I-80 from I-780 in Vallejo to Hwy. 4 in Hercules from Thursday, August 31, at 9 p.m. through Tuesday, September 5, at 5 a.m. — shore support logistics will need to get creative and be patient.

The trailer-sailer crowd may be interested in hitting the highway and heading to the Big Lagoon for the camp-out Redwood Regatta, hosted by Humboldt YC on September 2-3. The Big Lagoon is 35 miles north of Eureka on Hwy. 101.

More in September in Northern California

Berkeley YC will host a new race, the Big Windward-Leeward, on September 9. The course will feature a long beat out from Berkeley to Point Bonita and return (an alternate shorter course uses the Hank Easom/Yellow Bluff buoy as the windward mark). Learn more and register on Jibeset. Sailing Instructions are already available.

On the same Saturday, Singlehanders and Doublehanders will sail from Bay to Bay in the Singlehanded Sailing Society’s Half Moon Bay Race.

On September 9-10, San Francisco YC will host the Knarr SF Bay Championship. Also on that weekend, Santa Cruz YC will run the Melges CA Cup.

“The much anticipated Tahoe Laser Fleet Championships (part of the Grand Prix Series) is coming up on September 9-10,” says Rick Raduziner. “We have an awesome group campsite for up to 50 people; $15 per night for individuals and $25 per night per family. Bring your regatta lawn chair for the giant bonfire. Friday night is a fun sail. Racing will be on Saturday and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. You can sleep in. The regatta cocktail of the year is to be unveiled soon. The giant gas BBQ will be there for everyone’s convenience beginning Friday night.”

SFYC will host the Optimist PCCs on September 16-17.

South Beach YC’s all-women Red Bra Regatta will race on Saturday, September 23. The regatta promotes women in sailing and provides an opportunity for those who haven’t raced to learn the basics. More than 125 women participated in last year’s race. There were 20 boats in two spinnaker and one non-spinnaker divisions. The organizers are hoping that this year’s race will bring in 25 boats to add a second non-spinnaker division. Register on SBYC’s website. It’s a fun day on the water with a great party afterward in the San Francisco clubhouse.

On September 23-October 1, 5O5 sailors will compete for their World Championship at StFYC.

Corinthian YC in Tiburon will host the San Francisco Folkboat International Regatta on September 24-29. 

Richmond YC will go Totally Dinghy on September 30. Also on that Saturday, Sequoia YC will sail their Moonlight Marathon from Redwood City to Treasure Island and back.

On September 30-October 1, Moore 24 road warriors will take their Roadmaster Series to SFYC.

And in Southern California

Southwestern YC in San Diego will host the J/24 Corinthian Nationals West on September 6-10.

San Diego YC will run the Finn PCCs on September 9-10.

Los Angeles YC will welcome the Mercury PCCs on September 29-October 1.

Under 30? Take a Survey.

US Sailing’s One Design Committee has launched a survey to assess the sailing habits and demographic information for sailors between 18 and 30 years old. “The survey hopes to identify trends within sailing and the wider industry including use patterns, activity levels and attitudinal responses.” US Sailing hopes to better understand the trends of gender and racial diversity within sailing’s U30 demographic. They encourage everyone under 30 years old to participate. The results will be presented to US Sailing’s stakeholders — Class Associations, Member Organizations, US Sailing committee members and other interested maritime organizations. US Sailing asks that one-design classes, yacht clubs, sailing programs and teams share the survey with their 18- to 30-year-old participants. It takes about seven minutes to complete. Participation is anonymous. The survey will close on September 1, 2023. Take it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPSBJDC.