The 2016 dates for the annual NSC and BYC Upriver or Long Distance weekend races have now been set. Recent to sailing at NSC? Never sailed beyond Aylmer Island? Upriver weekend club races are a great excuse to get out, explore the river, and have fun sailing with family and friends for half a day or more!
The upriver race format itself is pretty simple. Anyone with a registered Handicap (PHRF or JAM) can participate in either NSC or BYC hosted races, even Dinghies for some events. Everyone starts together at ‘S’ mark in front of BYC, generally races up to one (or more) turning marks upriver, and returns to finish. You choose your course to challenge both the river and the clock.
Since you’ll be sailing for a good part of the day (instead of working around the house), you’ll want to bring along good companions, plenty of food and drink, appropriate weather gear including sun/bathing suits and lotion, music, and anything else required for a safe, comfortable, and fantastic day on the river.
Most upriver races range from 10 to 20 Nm in length, with some longer distance events including the infamous BYC ‘100 Miler’ for the more adventurous. There are a number of NSC and BYC upriver races to choose from throughout the season. Each is a standalone club event, with its own little twists and traditions to provide variety. One caveat, in Long Distance racing there are no RC cancellations due to weather, lack of wind, time, or when you run out of food and beverage. The Skipper (or crew on his/her behalf) must make that call :).
For 2016, the five annual NSC hosted Upriver races (including NSC Trophies) will be:
NSC Pinhey’s Point Race – Sunday June 26th
NSC Mohr Island Race (return version) – Saturday July 23rd
NSC/BYC Mohr Island Weekend Race (overnight version) – Saturday, Sunday July 23-24th
NSC/BYC Stoney Point Race – Sunday August 14th
NSC 20 Mile Trophy Race – Sunday, September 25th
For those interested in a unique campaign to challenge both the Ottawa River and some of the top interclub Skippers, the above NSC Upriver races and two BYC hosted races below form part of the Interclub Long Distance Series.
BYC Pinhey’s Point Race – Saturday June 4th
BYC Queen’s Park Race – Sunday September 11th
Additional details on these and the other open club Long distance races for 2016 can be found in Part H of the NSC Interclub Sailing Instructions. There is also a new Interclub Ottawa Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ottawariverracing/ dedicated to upriver and special weekend fun races.
To learn more about the sailing opportunities with Long Distance Upriver races, please contact myself, Phil Wilcox, or any of your fellow NSC skippers listed here who participated in events last year.
See you on the river soon!
Ross Ernst
Fleet Captain
