The Arizona Yacht Club is pleased to host a US Sailing Basic Race Management course on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Who should attend this one-day in-person course? Racers, that’s who.
Since each fleet rotates Race Committee responsibilities, this course is a good fit for folks signed up for our season racing. Anyone can attend, but our primary goal is to educate those required to assist with Race Committee duties. This includes people with some Race Committee (RC) experience, but newcomers are also welcome. Topics include RC objectives and responsibilities, regatta safety, writing sailing instructions, RC jobs, equipment, setting the course, starting system, starting penalties, before the start, during the race, and finishing and scoring.
Several AYC members have taken this course in past years including your Racing Captain, Mike Ferring; Club Scorer, Rob Gibbs; Birthday Regatta PRO, Wendy Larsen and others.
Date: Saturday, March 25, 2023 (No racing this weekend)
Time: 9:00 am – 4:45 pm (Library opens at 9:00 am)
Location: Tempe Public Library – Connections Room
3500 S Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85282
Parking is available on site
Sack lunch: $10 cash – lunch options will be available after registering. Having lunch on-site gives us a room discount and supports the Connections Cafe, managed by the Friends of Tempe Library. Snacks and beverages are also available from the Cafe.
Cost: US Sailing course registration fee: $40
Membership in US Sailing is required. A discounted US Sailing special introductory membership is available for first-timers during the registration process.
Registration closes Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Walk-In registrations are not allowed.
AYC Contact and Course Organizer: Deb Heisler, Jr. Staff Commodore
Other Seminar Details:
The lead instructor, Becky Ashburn will email you with additional course information.
About Becky: Becky became a Club Race Officer in 2011 and now serves as a Regional, National and International Race Officer (NR/IRO). She is also an instructor for US Sailing’s Basic and Advanced Race Management courses and a member of the US Sailing Race Management Committee, the Training and Certification Working Group, and US Sailing National Faculty.
Becky has been sailing since before she could walk and started racing multihulls with her brother in high school. Now based out of San Diego Yacht Club, she spends as many weekends on the water as possible.
Pre-Course Work: There is approximately 90-120 minutes of REQUIRED pre-course work before the In-Person session. Attendance is required to complete and pass the course.
About 10 days before your course begins, you will receive an email from US Sailing inviting you to participate in the course through Canvas, US Sailing’s online learning platform. Look for an email from (notifications@instructure.com). Please click the “Get Started” link to complete your profile and access the required course materials.
What to Bring: You will need your own copy of the 2021-2024 Racing Rules of Sailing. Special Offer: US Sailing members can purchase the book for $7.00 (reg $29.95). Shop here. You can also download your free version of the Racing Rules App here.
Study Materials: You should answer the Basic Race Management Seminar Study Questions, which will help you find your way around the rule book.
Take it to the Next Level
You can take your race management knowledge to the next level by becoming a US Sailing Certified Club Race Officer. Obtaining this certification is optional and requires passing a certification test and meeting the program’s other criteria. Details of the other requirements for certification are available in the Race Officers section of the US Sailing website.