A Beginner’s Guide to Sailboat Racing

Sailboat racing may seem intimidating, but preparing for your first race is easier than you think! If you’re ready to try sailing competitively this season, here’s everything you need to do before crossing the starting line:

Master the Basics

American Sailing Association classes help both new and experienced sailors achieve a thorough understanding of sailing fundamentals. Earning your ASA certification will sharpen existing boat handling skills and add new ones.

Montana’s only sailing school, Go Sail Montana, is excited to introduce ASA 102 – Keelboat Sailing 2 to our courses. If you have ASA 101 and some sailing experience we suggest taking ASA 102. We also offer more advanced classes if you want to continue learning to be a better sailor.

ASA 102 Course to sign up for our ASA courses and boost your confidence at the helm. 

Learn About Races

Once you’ve mastered the basics of operating a sailboat, it’s time to hone in on the rules, procedures, and terminology of regattas. One of the best ways to get started is by reaching out to a yacht club. Yacht clubs are full of useful resources like seminars and networking opportunities with more practiced sailors.

Additionally, a broad selection of books about sailboat racing is available. You can find books about racing rules, sail trim, and advanced maneuvers to practice up on. Reading about racing is the perfect way to improve as a racer when you can’t be on a boat.

Practice Makes Perfect

Spend as much time as possible on the water gaining hands-on experience to apply what you’ve learned and improve performance. Yacht clubs often host informal regattas where novice racers can gain experience and learn from each other in a relaxed environment. For example, the South Flathead Yacht Club features weekly “Keep It Simple Saturday” races. You might also want to join the crew of another racing team to “learn the ropes” and experience effective teamwork before you captain your own sailboat in a race. 

Maintain Your Boat 

Take advantage of the extra time you spend on your boat practicing what you’ve learned to observe any necessary repairs or updates that will optimize its performance, such as cleaning the hull to reduce drag. Make sure that it is in top shape before you begin racing.

Ready, Set, Go!

Now it’s time to take the leap and sign up for your first race! Take note of weather conditions on the day and have a pre-race briefing with your crew. And remember that while applying all you’ve learned is rewarding, the most important aspects of sail racing are to stay safe and have fun!