Get Your Boat on the Starting Line!
The Nepean Sailing Club offers an extensive race program, boasting one of the largest club racing fleets in Canada. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a beginner, we have a race series suitable for all levels of sailing ability and boat types. Almost every night of the week, we host a regular weeknight series race program, in addition to long-distance races, specialty events, and club regattas organized throughout the sailing season. Our weeknight series and long-distance races are open to local area club members, providing an enriched Interclub racing experience in partnership with Britannia Yacht Club.
To support racers, we provide winter and spring racing seminars and access to enthusiastic crew members who are eager to race. So why not join us and get your boat on the starting line? If you don’t have a boat, you can also join a skippered boat as a crew.
Why Race?
- Improve Your Sailing Skills: Racing is a great way to enhance your sailing abilities. Through small adjustments to your sails and learning to read wind shifts, you’ll discover how to make your boat go faster.
- Continuous Comparison: Competing against similar boats allows you to continually gauge your performance. This comparison is something you can’t experience just through cruising.
- Fun and Competition: Racing satisfies your “need for speed” while providing an exhilarating sense of competition. Above all, it’s a lot of fun!
- Socialize and Connect: Racing is an excellent opportunity to meet and socialize with other club members who share your passion for sailing.
When and What Fleets?
NSC’s Race Program begins in early May and concludes in late October. We host weeknight racing four evenings per week on a short course, organized into four series: Ice Breaker, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Additionally, we have the Frostbite Series on Sunday afternoons in October. Registered members can participate in as many or as few races as they like, as a single registration covers the entire sailing season.
Our races involve both One-Design fleets, consisting of boats of the same design, and Handicap fleets that use systems like PHRF for Keelboats and Portsmouth for Dinghies to normalize boat performance. To explore the various club One-Design and Handicap race fleet opportunities available, please visit our Race Fleets page.
For detailed information on the Interclub Racing Series schedule, Long Distance Series, Weekend Sailing Events, fleet classes, and race courses, refer to the Sailing Instructions.
Getting Started
If you’re eager to get started with racing, here’s what you need to do:
- Seek Assistance: Talk to other members who race; they are always willing to lend a hand and provide guidance.
- Attend Seminars and Talks: Participate in club Winter/Spring racing seminars or talks. You can find scheduled events on the NSC club calendar, in the Sailing Instructions, or posted on the NSC website.
- Register Your Boat: Complete the NSC Race Registration form to register your boat.
- PHRF-LO Certificate (Keelboats): If you own a Keelboat, apply for a PHRF-LO Certificate.
- Find Crew (or a Boat): If you’re a skipper in need of crew, check out the NSC Crew Bank. If you don’t own a boat, find a skipper/boat to crew on. You can also sign up with the NSC Crew Bank.
- Training Opportunities: If you require training, Sail Training offers Learn-To-Race and Sail courses for all sailors, including youth, able sailors, and adults, for both dinghies and keelboats. Additionally, the local Sail Share Program run by Advantage Boating may be of interest if you don’t own a boat.
- Familiarize Yourself: Review the Racing Rules of Sailing and Sailing Instructions to ensure you understand the regulations and guidelines.
Need More Information?
For a wealth of information on NSC’s racing program, please visit our Racing page. If you have any specific inquiries, feel free to email the Fleet Captain.