Education in the AYC includes the Juniors Program, Women's Sailing, plus much more...

Introduction to Sailboat Racing

The next Introduction to Sailboat Racing class will probably be in September. E-mail Mike if you're interested.

Racing a sailboat is a kick. It combines the fun of sailing your boat with the raw competition of trying to beat someone else in a similar boat. Racing also teaches you boat handling and sail trim in a way that no amount of cruising could—by comparing your speed and handling side-by-side with other boats.

True, the first time you see a sailboat race, you may think it's too complicated and chaotic (it can be both). But like anything else new, you can grow into it step-by-step. This class is designed to let you take a bunch of steps all at once.

Who should take the class: Anyone who would like to sharpen sailing skills or sink your teeth into the excitement of sailboat racing. Even if you've raced before, you'll learn a lot of new things about rules, tactics and procedures. Even if you only intend to crew or simply understand the game, you're welcome in this class.

Class description: As a graduate of this class, you’ll be qualified to drive or crew an adopted AYC club boat or your own dinghy or centerboard/keel boat in non-spinnaker, around-the-buoys lake racing. You’ll learn race procedures, rules, and tactics. You’ll compete in actual training races. And you’ll receive up to $50 off the entry fee for your first AYC race series (within the first year of graduation).

Class meetings: Two classroom sessions folowed immediately the same days by two on-the-water sessions.

Prerequisites: You must be a certified US Sailing graduate of Start Sailing Right or have equivalent experience. You'll need to enter the course with the basic skills to handle a Capri 14.2 in moderate wind.

Tuition: $195

Chief Instructor: Mike Ferring. US Sailing certified Small Boat Instructor, Power Boat Instructor, and Club Race Officer. Mike races a Capri 14.2 at Tempe Town Lake and an O’Day 25 in the PHRF Non-Spin fleet at Lake Pleasant (where he is 2006-2007 fleet champion). E-mail Mike with any questions you have about the course.

Other instructors: Reigning AYC Club Champion Mike Hester and his championship-winning crewman John Mayall.

Course Content Includes:

• Race Procedures: Race Documents, Entry, Check-in, Starts, Courses, Finish, Scoring, Race Committee Responsibilities, Protests
• Rules: Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing 2005-2008, including when boats meet, complying with race procedures, and avoiding incidents
• Tactics: Starts, Boat Speed, Boat Handling, Upwind Tactics, Downwind Tactics, Mark Roundings, Wind Shifts, and Finishes

Here is the ASF Calendar.

Contacts:
Rob Gibbs - 602.574.3000

Donate a boat or donate money to ASF

Directions to Tempe Town Lake Marina

The mission: The Arizona Sailing Foundation, Inc., will provide fun, safe, community-based education in the art of sailing on a non-discriminatory basis.

The Arizona Sailing Foundation, Inc., admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.