Volunteering for Race Committee

Racing in the Rolex Big Boat Series begins tomorrow, and scores of volunteers will labor to make the 77-boat four-day regatta a success. Some of them have already started working behind the scenes. Although the hosting St. Francis Yacht Club has paid staff, this regatta wouldn’t happen without the efforts of the volunteers.

"A yacht club’s race committee is one of its most valuable assets," says Yacht Racing Assoication chairman Don Ahrens. "Because it’s difficult to build and maintain a race committee, we’d like to encourage clubs to start recruiting for volunteers now. Schedule a recruitment party or BBQ, invite current race officers and race committee members, and get the word out to club members."

We would add that volunteers can be encouraged to come from outside the club, can get hooked on the scene, and end up joining the club. Among the legion of volunteers working on the water and on shore at Rolex Big Boat Series are many members of other yacht clubs and many who do not belong to any club.

The YRA is planning to work with clubs to hold a set of workshops this fall and early next year for new race committee volunteers. "We will send notices about the workshops to YRA members, and the dates will also be published in Latitude 38," says Don.