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Beginner's Guide to Racing at DRSC

When are races held?

Sunday Racing

Start Time: First race at 11:00 AM.
Number of Races: Typically, three back-to-back handicap races, each lasting around 35 minutes.
Occasional Pursuit Races: These follow a staggered start format, with slower boats starting first. A briefing is held at 11:00 AM for these races. See the additional information on pursuit races at the end of this guide.

Wednesday Evening Racing (May to September)

Start Time: First race at 6:30 PM.
Number of Races: Two shorter races, each lasting about 25 minutes.

Both sessions are open to sailors of all abilities, and support is available for those new to racing.

For full details of the racing offered at DRSC, refer to our Notice of Race (NOR) and calendar.

What boat can I sail?

Any monohull dinghy with a Great Lakes handicap number or PY can be raced (this covers almost everything). If you're not sure if your boat qualifies, ask the race officer or an experienced member.

We have some established fleets where you can race within a class and have more fun:

ILCA 7 (Laser Standard)
ILCA 6 (Laser Radial)
GP14
Solo
Musto Skiff

How good a sailor do I need to be?

As long as you can sail a triangular course, you'll be ok. Racing is the quickest way of improving all your sailing skills and we all started off knowing little and needing more practice. Most of the experienced sailors will only be too happy to help with some tips between and after the racing.

When do I turn up?

Allow yourself time to rig the boat, get changed and sail out to the race area. You'll want to be at the club about an hour before the start of the race if possible.

How do I let people know that I'm new to it?

Talk to others in the dinghy park who are rigging up their boats. They will be only too happy to help. On the water, let the safety boat know who you are and to keep an eye on you.

What rules do I need to know?

Port vs. Starboard: A boat on port tack (wind from left) must give way to a boat on starboard tack (wind from right).
Windward vs. Leeward: A windward boat must keep clear of a leeward boat.
Clear ahead vs. clear astern: A boat clear astern must keep clear.
Mark Room: At a mark, an inside overlapped boat is entitled to room to round the mark.
If you hit a mark, complete a one-turn penalty (one tack, one gybe).
If you break a rule (e.g. have a collision or fail to give way), complete a two-turn penalty (two tacks, two gybes).

The racing rules of sailing can be downloaded for free from the World Sailing website here. You do not need to be an expert in them to get started, but learning them will help improve your racing.

It is best to read the club's Sailing Instructions (SIs) so that you are aware of rules specific to Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

How do I enter a race?

The Race Officer will place a sign-on sheet near the safety office by the entrance to the changing rooms at the front of the clubhouse. Fill in your name and boat details. You will need to know the sail number and class of your boat so that they can keep track of you.

What course do I sail?

The Race Officer will put the letters of the marks on the course board on the committee boat. When you get to the start area, sail past the committee boat (orange flag) and look for the course board. If you need to, ask one of the other boats to clarify it for you.

How do I start?

The line is from the committee boat's orange flag to an orange cylindrical buoy. Start, going in the direction of the first mark. The start sequence 5, 4, 1, GO! Bring a waterproof digital watch so you can set a timer and know when to start.

5 minutes Class flag raised + sound signal
4 minutes Preparatory flag raised + sound signal
1 minute Preparatory flag lowered + sound signal
GO! Class flag lowered + sound signal

If you are over the line at start time, go back over the line (carefully avoiding other boats) and sail back through it again.

What about the nasty crush on the start line?

When you are new, perhaps you should hang back a little and cross a few seconds after the more practised sailors. That will also allow you to see what the best sailors do. Initially, try to be less than 3 or 4 boats lengths from the line at start time.

How do I finish?

The finish line is usually the same as the start line. You sail the course indicated on the course board going through the start line each lap and then the race officer flies a blue and white (S) flag. As you pass through the line the RO will give a sound signal as you cross the line to indicate that you have finished. If you do not get a toot and believe you have finished, then hail the committee boat for advice. Perhaps you have sailed an incorrect course or had outside assistance; (you had to be rescued!).

How do I find out the results?

The times of all the finishers need to be put into a computer to work out the results. They will be published on the website and a link will be sent on the club racing whatsapp group as soon as they are available.

How do I qualify for a series?

If you just keep turning up, you will automatically be registered for a series with your point score and overall position being shown on the website. If you would prefer that the race results were published without your name, contact results@drsc.co.uk.

Tips for beginners

Observe before racing: Watch a few races from the shore, from a safety boat, or ask the race officer if you can help on the committee boat.
Ask for help: The DRSC community is friendly and supportive. Don't hesitate to ask experienced sailors for advice.
Keep practicing: Racing gets easier with experience, and every race is an opportunity to improve.

Additional Information - Pursuit Races

In a pursuit race, boats start at staggered times based on their handicaps, with the slower boats starting first and the faster ones attempting to catch up. The boat that is leading the race at the end of the race time is the winner.

Unlike traditional handicap fleet racing, where all boats start at the same time and corrected times determine the winner, pursuit races are designed so that the finishing order on the water reflects the actual race positions. Here's how it works:

Handicaps and Start Times: Each class of boat is assigned a start time based on its handicap. Slower boats have earlier start times, while faster boats start later.
Starting Sequence: The race begins with a "datum" signal, marking the zero time reference. Subsequent boats start at their allocated times after this datum. For example, if your boat's start time is 5 minutes, you'll start 5 minutes after the datum signal.
Race Duration: Pursuit races last either 60 or 90 minutes from the datum, as specified in the pre-race briefing.

Pre-Race Preparation

Check the Schedule: Refer to the DRSC calendar to know when pursuit races are scheduled.
Know Your Start Time: Start times for each class are available on the club's website. Ensure you know your exact start time relative to the datum.
Attend the Briefing: A pre-race briefing will provide essential information, including the race duration and the course.
Write down the course: Pursuit race courses can be long. It is worth noting down the course and taking it on the water with you so you don't forget where to go.

Starting the Race

Start Signal: The race commences with the normal 5, 4, 1, Go. The signal at the end of this countdown is the datum time, and is also typically the start for the slowest boat.
Your Start: Start at the allocated time for your class of boat after the datum.

During the Race

Course Navigation: Follow the course as displayed on the committee boat or shore-based course board.

Finishing the Race

Race End Signal: The race concludes with a long sound signal from the committee boat at the designated time (60 or 90 minutes).
Recording Positions: At the finish signal, note the boats immediately ahead and behind you. This helps in accurately recording finishing positions, as boats are not required to cross a specific finish line. The committee boat will also record the finishing positions.

Last updated 12:49 on 9 March 2025