The Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay (“the YRA”) is happy to help new people get started in sailboat racing. It’s a great sport, and a great way to enjoy the water, and sailing.
Have a boat but haven’t raced before? The YRA has a great Intro to Racing Series starting this coming February that will cover everything you need to know to get started- and that’s a lot less than you think! Get all the details on this new series HERE
If you think you might want to buy a boat and race, it’s much, much cheaper to try out sailboat racing by being crew than by buying your own boat. And, as an apprentice crew on a race boat, you’ll learn a lot more about how to make a sailboat go than you would in any class.
Some people are born into a sailing family, or their parents enrolled them in a sailing program when they were young. But for many people, the progression is:
- crew on someone’s boat in casual, weekday evening racing — what is called “beercan” racing — and learn the basics;
- crew on someone’s boat in racing organized by a yacht club, and hone the basic skills and get comfortable with all aspects of racing;
- crew on someone’s boat in races organized by the YRA or other organizations that span yacht clubs;
- buy your own sailboat and race her as skipper.
On this page you’ll find articles to help you along your journey.
We hope you enjoy racing like we do!
Articles: