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Overview of Youth Racing in the PNW

There is so much great youth racing happening in the Pacific Northwest! Below are two tracks of racing. The first track includes the Northwest Youth Racing Circuit with a few fleets described that have special aspects and the Development Series. The second track is below the line with Middle School Racing and High School Sailing. These two tracks meet different needs, but many of the top sailors participate in both tracks.
There is more youth racing than described below, such as keelboat sailing. There are also stand alone events that are great for sailors who feel confident in the Development Series and ready for a new challenge. Take note if they have adult fleets because that will indicate how much support youth sailors will receive from the event organizers.

Click here or on the map for an interactive map.

Northwest Youth Racing Circuit (NWYRC)

  • Pinnacle youth racing in the Northwest
  • Preparing sailors for racing nationally
  • Racing in the summer
  • Opti, FJ, c420, ILCAs
  • 8-18 years old
  • On the water support (such as a coach) strongly advised
  • Full days of racing
  • Lunch is eaten on the water, between races.
  • Races will use 5 minute racing sequence, a race watch is required (for all fleets other than Opti Green Fleet).
  • Coaching during the race is allowed for the back 25% of the fleet.
  • Many people who participate in High School sailing participate in this circuit to get better.

  • FJ Northwest Youth Racing Circuit

    • Part of the Northwest Youth Racing Circuit
    • This is for sailors that joined racing later in life, when they have become too big for the Opti.
    • These events put emphasis on community building.
    • This circuit joins the other fleets for the final event at Octoberfest where things will be more competitive and structured... so it is extra important to read the documents!

  • Opti Green Fleet

    • Sailors who are 8-14 years old are eligible to be invited to compete in NWYRC Green Fleet Regattas.
    • This is not learn to sail, this is learn to race.
    • Skills required
      • Sail upwind
      • Musical start (3 minute dinghy start) and practiced a few beforehand
      • Understanding of basic rules
        • How to go around a race course
        • Port/ Starboard
    • These races are 10-15 minutes long.
    • Coaching during the race is allowed, but must be given to all sailors.
    • Lunch is often had onshore.
    • These are races are designed to prepare sailors for Opti Champ Fleet.

  • Opti Champ Fleet

    • A sailor who has completed in at least 2 green fleet regattas (or an equivalent thereof)
    • Races are targeted to be 30-45 minutes per race.
    • White, blue, and red fleets race together and share a starting sequence, but get scored separate at most events.
    • Divided into Red, White, and Blue, by age at the start of the regatta
      • White: 10 y.o. and under.
      • Blue: 11 y.o. and 12 y.o.
      • Red: 13 y.o. until 31st of December of the year in which the sailor attains the age of 15 years old. Sailors qualified by age to start the event are allowed to finish it.

Development Series

  • Age 8-17 y.o.
  • Sailed mostly in Optis, Fjs, and ILCA 4s.
  • Skills required
    • Sail upwind
    • Musical start (3 minute dinghy start) and practiced a few beforehand
    • Understanding of basic rules
      • How to go around a race course
      • Port/ Starboard
  • These races are 10-15 minutes long.
  • Coaching during the race is allowed, but must be given to all sailors.
  • Lunch might be had on the water.
  • The purpose of these events are to foster community and prepare sailors for the Northwest Youth Racing Circuit. Many sailors also compete in high school sailing.
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Middle School Racing

  • Sailed in RS Teras 
  • AB Rotations, this means that a team consists of 4 people. 2 people go out in the team's boat and race two races, then they come to shore and the other 2 people go out in that boat and race two races.
  • Goals with this program are to prepare sailors for high school sailing and to learn in team work.

High School Racing

  • The Pacific Northwest sails in FJs
  • AB Rotations, this means that a team consists of 4 people. 2 people go out in the team's boat and race two races, then they come to shore and the other 2 people go out in that boat and race two races.
  • Governed by Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) and North West Interscholastic Sailing Association (NWISA).

  • Mixed Teams

    • Sailors in grade 8 through 12.
    • Not required to be from the same school.
    • Not required to be a registered Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA) team.
    • These teams compete in Open High School Regattas.
    • These teams are not allowed to compete in Ranking Regattas (RR) or District Championship Regattas. There often will be an Open Regatta happening simultaneously that these teams may compete in.

  • Active Teams

    • For most regattas, there must be at least four members on the team. For Team Race Regattas, at least 6 sailors are required. However, ONE crew may be borrowed from another Active Team, if there are not four available sailors for that event.
    • Sailors must be in grades 9 through 12.
    • All competitors must be full time students, enrolled at the school they are representing. If you are not enrolled in a school this eligibility diagram might help.
    • For a complete list of eligibility rules visit the ISSA Official Procedural Rules and the NWISA District Supplemental Rules.
    • Must be registered with the Interscholastic Sailing Association (ISSA).